If you’ve been working in custom home building and installation, chances are that you’ve come across spray foam, or spray polyurethane foam./a>. Used in commercial and residential construction, spray insulation adheres to surfaces immediately and can expand to up to 120 times its original size, making it ideal for humidity and sound insulation. Because spray foam insulation is so good at reducing air infiltration (which can account to up to 40% of a home or business’ total energy loss), it helps keep energy costs low and can therefore be an excellent, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional insulation. Before you invest in spray foam tools and equipment, though, here are a few installation tips to consider.
During installation, you’ll need to make sure your work area is properly ventilated.
Spray foam may be an environmentally-conscious alternative to other insulation methods, but
prolonged exposure/a> to spray foam can cause irritation to the eyes and skin. Individuals with asthma can experience attacks as a result of exposure, and if working in poorly-ventilated areas, chronic pulmonary disease can also develop. Therefore, your investment in spray foam tools and equipment should always include a mechanical installation system. Not only is it common sense, but it’s required by OSHA in the United States.
Make sure your spray foam rig is the proper size.
According to Doug Kramer/a> of Lapolla, it is very common to see first-time buyers investing in a rig that is too small for their operation. You may or may not want to get a generator that can power all of your spray foam tools and equipment, and they may initially be skeptical of a larger spray foam machine cost. Experts agree that it’s best to find a larger rig that can accommodate whatever project may come your way than to be limited by a smaller model.
Make sure you observe proper safety protocol.
While many with their own spray foam business may want to do everything themselves, experts recommend hiring a professional electrician to do the wiring. As you calculate costs for spray foam tools and equipment, also budget for spray foam training and certification and to have you spray foam trailer inspected for appropriate weight loads. This will ensure that you don’t run the risk of injuring yourself or others and will ensure that your spray foam tools and equipment have the longest life possible.
As the HVAC industry continues to rise and greater attention is paid to smart investments in insulation and energy usage, now is the perfect time to get involved in the spray foam business. Like any other contract work, however, it is important to do your research early on. Taking care to find the right equipment and to take the proper safety precautions can allow you do use your spray foam rig for years to come.
