The Problem
Spray foam is too powerful to be put into the wrong hands, and unfortunately the wrong hands spray foam in Florida every day. One of the biggest mistakes a spray foam contractor can make is spraying foam underneath the roof decking and onto the gable walls, but not sealing the ridge, gable, or soffit vents correctly (or at all).
The Data
| Finding | Source |
|---|---|
| Florida has the second highest average relative humidity in the United States at 74.5% — creating a relentless moisture threat for any improperly sealed attic | Florida Climate Center / National Weather Service |
| Mold begins growing in wood when moisture content exceeds 20% — decay fungi that destroy structural integrity begin at 28–30% | Florida Solar Energy Center / University of Central Florida |
| A properly vented attic never exceeded 15% wood moisture content over two years of monitoring — an improperly sealed foam attic exceeded 20% repeatedly | Florida Solar Energy Center — multi-year roof deck moisture study |
| Even a small unsealed gap in a spray foam attic allows outdoor air infiltration to drive humidity to dangerous levels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory / FSEC research |
The Explanation
There are two basic attic types: vented or unvented. To vent or not to vent, that is the question. When applying spray foam, the entire point is to create a continuous air barrier so that your attic is not vented whatsoever. We either want a properly vented attic, or a completely sealed attic. When we create a sealed attic, that space now becomes part of the home's conditioned area. Although you are technically now air conditioning more space in your home than you were before, that energy penalty is negligible when compared to the massive energy savings you get as a result.
The problem is, many spray foamers (whether they have good intentions or not) do not achieve a proper air seal in their "sealed" attic installations. Even a quarter-sized gap can create massive problems and would compromise the entire project. To be fair, it is very easy to make this mistake. However, it is also very easy to check your work and make sure you did not miss any spots. The best way to do this is with a blower door machine and thermal camera. This is a standard part of the Heat Hunters spray foam process.
Although there are many contractors who understand this but simply lack the standard operating procedures (or desire) to check their own work, there are also several who really do spray foam underneath roof decks and onto gable walls without even trying to seal the soffit, gable, or ridge vents. This comes down to a fundamental lack of building science understanding, and unfortunately our governmental regulators do nothing to protect homeowners from this practice in the retrofit world. Anyone with enough money can buy a spray foam rig and start a business. These types of contractors typically go out of business quickly, but not before causing a whole lot of mayhem beforehand.
What This Means for You
Always make sure your insulation contractor intimately understands how air, heat, and moisture actually behave (especially in Florida's climate). If your contractor is not familiar with proper Florida practices, they are putting your home and your family's health on the line. Also, require that your contractor is testing their own work to ensure that they have not missed any spots when encapsulating (sealing) your attic with spray foam. Visual inspections are not enough. Blower doors & thermal cameras are needed. The answer is testing before installation, testing during installation, and testing after installation.
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