Blew $1,800 on spray foam insulation that failed within a year

I paid a crew to spray foam my container last February and by December I had moisture building up behind it and rust spots forming. Anyone else run into issues with closed cell foam trapping moisture in steel?

2 comments

2 Comments

kim.hannah6d ago

That whole moisture thing is tricky, you know. My neighbor tried to spray foam his old metal shed and it ended up sweating like crazy inside. He thought he was sealing it up good but the steel just couldnt breathe. Ended up having to cut out big chunks of foam and install a vent fan just to keep the rust away. Wasnt cheap either, all that rework. Your story sounds like the same mistake the foam guys make when they dont prep the surface right or check for existing moisture before spraying.

diana_bell745d ago

Yeah I had the same thing happen on my own place back in 2019. I sprayed closed cell foam on an old shipping container I was converting into a workshop. Within a month there was moisture beading up on the inside walls and starting to rust the metal. The problem was I didn't check for any condensation or leaks before spraying. You gotta do a real thorough inspection first and make sure the steel is bone dry and clean of any oil or dirt. Even then I learned the hard way that you need some kind of ventilation system or at least a dehumidifier running for a while after the foam cures. That rework your neighbor did sounds rough but honestly it's better than letting the whole thing rot from the inside out.