Problems with your spray foam insulation
If your spray foam is causing trouble, or a buyer's surveyor has flagged it, the government's own guidance sets out what to do before you pay anyone to take it out. This page follows it.
Start with a specialist survey
The government's spray foam guidance says to take advice from a specialist surveyor before deciding anything, because only surveyors experienced in spray foam can tell you whether it should be removed[1].
The guidance points to the Property Care Association's find a specialist tool, and says to make sure your surveyor knows the Spray Foam Insulation Inspection Protocol of March 2023[1].
The guidance says to discuss it with your lender too, because removing the foam will not always mean they will still lend, and improper removal could lead to further issues[1].
Complaining about the installation
- The guidance says spray foam fitted under government schemes from 2020 onwards must have been installed by TrustMark-registered installers[1].
- If you have found an issue with an installation completed less than 6 years ago and the installer is still trading, the guidance says you can use the TrustMark dispute resolution process, starting with the installer and scheme provider named in your paperwork[1].
- If that still doesn't settle it, the guidance says to contact the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman[1].
If the installer has stopped trading
- If the installer is no longer trading, the guidance says to contact the provider of the installation's insurance-backed cover, which typically may last up to 10 years, and that TrustMark can help you find the provider if you have lost the paperwork[1].
- For foam fitted before the TrustMark requirement of 2020, the guidance says to check whether the original installer still trades and, if not, to look in your paperwork for insurance-backed cover or the name of a scheme, certification body or quality mark, and contact that organisation[1].
Missing paperwork
If you don't have your installation paperwork, the guidance says the installer or the manufacturer should be able to provide it retrospectively[1]. You will need it for a survey, a complaint and a sale.
Cold calls and unsolicited offers
- The guidance warns that the growth of spray foam removal has brought more cold calls and unsolicited offers to sell or remove it, and says you can report these to Trading Standards[1].
- If you believe an installer shared your details with a removal company, the guidance says you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office[1].
If removal is the answer
Once a surveyor has said the foam should come out, compare written quotes before you agree to anything.
Ask for a quote
Tell us what you need. We'll reply to say which firm we'd pass your enquiry to, and we only pass it on if you say yes.
Yorkshire Spray Foam Removal is a referral service, not a removal company. When you send an enquiry, we tell you which firm we'd pass it to and only pass on your details if you agree. The firm may pay us for the introduction. We don't vouch for any firm's work, so get a written quote and read it before you agree to anything.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Spray foam insulation: remediation, removal and lending, checked 2026-10-28