If you’ve had spray foam insulation installed in your roof, you may now face a serious problem. Since March 2024, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has taken a clear stance:
👉 Any property with spray foam insulation will automatically fail a building survey.
This affects all homeowners—regardless of the type of foam used, the paperwork provided, or whether the installation was carried out professionally. The only solution is complete spray foam removal.
Why Spray Foam Insulation Must Be Removed
For years, spray foam was marketed as a modern insulation solution, promising energy savings and reduced heat loss. But in reality, it has caused major structural and financial issues for homeowners:
- Mortgage lenders will not approve loans if spray foam is present.
- Equity release providers refuse applications, making it impossible to unlock property value.
- Surveys now automatically fail, stopping house sales in their tracks.
Whether you’re planning to sell, remortgage, or release equity, spray foam insulation removal is now unavoidable.
The Two Types of Spray Foam – And Why Both Cause Problems
Open Cell Spray Foam
- Often installed incorrectly, sprayed directly onto non-breathable roofing felt.
- Goes against manufacturer guidance and UK building regulations.
- Traps moisture, leading to condensation, mould growth, and timber decay.
Need to reverse it safely? Learn about open cell spray foam removal.
Closed Cell Spray Foam
- Typically sprayed onto roof tiles and encapsulates roof timbers.
- Prevents natural roof movement and can hide defects.
- Trapped moisture leads to timber rot and costly structural repairs.
We handle closed cell spray foam removal with care to protect your roof.
Why Mortgage Lenders and Surveyors Reject Spray Foam
- Lack of visibility: Foam hides roof timbers, so surveyors can’t check for rot, decay, or leaks.
- Lack of breathability: Moisture becomes trapped, causing hidden damage until it’s too late.
Because of this, lenders consider spray foam a high-risk material—and will reject applications until the foam is removed.
When You’ll Need Spray Foam Insulation Removed
- ✅ Selling your property – your buyer’s survey will fail if spray foam is present.
- ✅ Remortgaging – lenders will not approve finance until the foam is fully removed.
- ✅ Equity release – providers insist on removal before granting funds.
Even if you aren’t planning to move or remortgage right now, spray foam can lower the market value of your home and limit your future options.
Professional Spray Foam Removal – The Only Solution
The process of removing spray foam insulation is complex and should always be carried out by trained specialists like Carbon Zero Solutions Ltd. A professional service will:
- Safely strip away open cell or closed cell foam.
- Restore your roof to its original breathable condition and recommend suitable loft insulation.
- Provide certification of removal so your property passes future surveys.
By arranging professional spray foam removal now, you’ll protect your property value, avoid costly future repairs, and keep your financial options open.
Final Thoughts
The RICS stance has made one thing clear: spray foam insulation has no place in UK housing surveys going forward. Whether you have open cell or closed cell spray foam, it must be removed if you intend to sell, remortgage, or release equity.
Don’t wait until your sale falls through or your mortgage application is rejected.
