Good Spray Foam Applications
Gus Koedding • January 29, 2025
Spray Foam Insulation Spokane
Spray foam insulation is a versatile and highly effective insulation material that expands upon application to create an airtight seal. Here are some of the best applications for spray foam insulation:
1. Walls (New Construction & Existing Homes)
- Filling wall cavities for high R-value insulation.
- Preventing air leakage in exterior and interior walls.
- Soundproofing walls between rooms or floors.
2. Basements & Crawl Spaces
- Sealing foundation walls to prevent drafts and moisture infiltration.
- Insulating rim joists and sill plates to reduce energy loss.
- Preventing mold and mildew by creating a vapor barrier.
3. Pole Barns & Metal Buildings
- Providing high-performance insulation for metal structures.
- Preventing condensation buildup inside the building.
- Reducing heat transfer to improve energy efficiency.
4. Garage Ceilings & Walls
- Insulating attached garages to regulate temperature inside the home.
- Preventing cold drafts from entering living spaces above garages.
- Soundproofing for quieter operation of garage doors and equipment.
5. Rim Joists & Crawl Space Perimeters
- Filling gaps around rim joists where heat and air leaks commonly occur.
- Providing a seamless air seal in tight spaces where fiberglass batts are difficult to install.
6. HVAC & Ductwork Sealing
- Insulating air ducts to prevent energy loss and improve system efficiency.
- Sealing ductwork to reduce leaks and maintain consistent airflow.
7. Soundproofing Applications
- Reducing noise transmission between floors and rooms.
- Ideal for media rooms, recording studios, or home offices.
8. Mobile Homes, RVs, & Tiny Houses
- Providing lightweight, high-efficiency insulation for mobile living spaces.
- Preventing drafts and maintaining temperature control in compact spaces.
9. Commercial & Industrial Buildings
- Insulating warehouses, cold storage facilities, and food processing plants.
- Sealing large gaps and irregular surfaces in commercial spaces.
Spray foam insulation is particularly useful for hard-to-reach areas, irregular surfaces, and locations where traditional insulation (fiberglass batts or rigid foam) may not be as effective. If properly installed, it can greatly improve energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and moisture control..
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Attic mold foggers might sound like a quick-fix miracle in a can—but the truth is, they’re often more smoke than solution. Here’s a straight-up breakdown of the shortcomings of mold foggers when it comes to attic mold : 🚫 1. They Don’t Eliminate the Source Mold grows because of moisture and poor ventilation . Foggers don’t fix: Roof leaks Bathroom fans dumping into the attic Blocked soffits Air leaks from the home into the attic No matter how much fog you pump up there, the mold’s coming back if the conditions stay the same. ⚠️ 2. No Physical Mold Removal Foggers do not scrub, lift, or remove mold colonies . They only coat surfaces. Mold still needs to be: Brushed off Vacuumed with a HEPA system Treated with antimicrobial agents Dead mold spores can still trigger allergies and health issues—so leaving them there isn’t a win. 🪵 3. Poor Penetration on Porous Surfaces Attics are full of raw, porous wood —rafters, sheathing, joists. Foggers often can’t penetrate deep enough into the wood grain where mold roots have taken hold. That means: Spores may survive inside the wood Regrowth is likely, especially in humid climates 🧴 4. Short-Term Fix, No Residual Protection Most over-the-counter foggers don’t leave behind a long-lasting antimicrobial barrier. Unlike encapsulation with mold-killing primers , foggers offer: No surface sealing No moisture resistance No long-term protection 🧯 5. False Sense of Security Because foggers leave a scent and the mold "looks better," homeowners may think the problem is solved—but the underlying issue remains . This delays real remediation and can lead to much worse (and more expensive) problems later. 💸 6. Cost vs. Effectiveness For DIYers, foggers aren’t cheap—and they don’t replace: Proper insulation removal Real mold remediation Ventilation correction So you're spending money to mask the problem rather than fix it. ✅ Bottom Line: Foggers may help with odor control or surface disinfecting, but they’re not a standalone solution for attic mold. Real mold remediation requires: Source control (leaks, ventilation) Physical removal Disinfection with EPA-registered products Sealing with mold-resistant primers Insulation replacement if contaminated
Mold remediation isn't just spraying bleach and walking away. It's a multi-step process that requires proper containment, safety, treatment, and restoration. Here's a deep dive into the phases of mold remediation. 🧰 1. Inspection & Moisture Source Identification What’s involved: Visual attic inspection Moisture readings (IR cameras or moisture meters) Identifying leak sources, venting issues, insulation saturation 🔒 2. Containment & Setup What’s involved: Sealing off the work area with plastic sheeting Creating negative air pressure (HEPA fan) Floor protection and access control 🧼 3. Insulation Removal (if contaminated) What’s involved: Attic vacuum system for blown-in or batt insulation Bagging and disposal of contaminated material 🧪 4. Mold Cleaning & Disinfection What’s involved: Applying EPA-registered products (e.g., Vital Oxide , Benefect, Concrobium) Brushing/scrubbing visible mold HEPA vacuuming all surfaces 🎨 5. Encapsulation What’s involved: Spraying mold-resistant primer/sealant (e.g., Zinsser Perma-White , Fiberlock Aftershock) Covering all exposed wood (rafters, decking, joists) 🌬️ 6. Ventilation Correction & Air Sealing What’s involved: Bathroom fan rerouting to exterior Unclogging soffits Installing baffles Sealing light can penetrations, top plates, pipes 🧱 7. Insulation Reinstallation What’s involved: Installing new blown-in cellulose (often R-49 or greater) Final prep, air sealing touch-ups ⚠️ Notes on Pricing: Emergency jobs (flood/mold after storms) = higher labor rate Crawlspaces or tight attics increase time and hazard pay Licensed mold remediation companies often include limited warranties, which may increase overhead
