September has been a difficult for many homeowners in the South East. It has been estimated that rebuilding from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma will be upwards of $200 Billion. Our hearts go out to the tens of millions affected as they return home and start the cleanup process.
After cleanup comes repairing or rebuilding. Re-insulating will be a part of this - but don’t just put back in batt insulation. This time, prepare for a better future. Insulations like fiberglass, rockwool, and cellulous do nothing against high winds and flooding. In a hurricane, they do nothing to stop moisture penetration. Actually worse, they ABSORB that large addition of moisture and hold onto it. This easily creates future mold issues. And, once that insulation is soaked, it loses it’s insulating value.
Using closed cell spray foam insulation like Foam it Green helps you better control moisture movement in all the areas of your home. Because it expands into all the cracks, gaps and crevices, it provides a tight air seal.
It’s important to use closed cell foam versus open cell foam because open cell foam is spongey, which allows it to absorb water like the other forms of insulation. Additionally, when you use Foam it Green’s closed cell foam, you’re getting anti-mold protection because our formula is ASTM G-21 tested to not grow mold on it’s surface.
Plus, the rigidity of closed cell spray foam adds to the structural integrity of a home, which comes in handy for keeping a roof on. Straps are commonly used to keep a roof attached from wind uplift. But, what if air did not get up through the soffit vents in the first place? Foam it Green can help you create an unvented attic to protect against future high-wind situations. And, keeping your roof on is a good thing! Not just for reroofing costs, but from all the additional damage the home sustains when it is roofless in a heavy rain storm.
Minimizing damage is the most important thing and that’s why FEMA rates closed cell spray foam insulation as a flood-resistant material. In order for FEMA to consider a material to be flood-resistant, it must be able to withstand direct contact with floodwater for an extended period (72 hours) of time. Closed cell foam is the only form of insulation that can do this.
And, that reaches from your attic to your basement. Insulating your basement with closed cell foam helps your home reject water infiltration in the first place. And, the rigid insulation also keeps out mass water absorption, which can go a long way to reduce hurricane flooding damage.
So, if you’re home is in a hurricane or flooding zone, prepare with closed cell foam like Jeffrey H. “We have been very satisfied with your product in the past. Now using it to replace fiberglass insulation damaged by Harvey flooding. Thanks for the great, user friendly product.”
