How to do Your Own Foam Insulation
There are several types of foam insulation. Small cracks or gaps around windows or doors can be plugged with a small can of foam insulation that shoots foam through a tube into the area. For larger projects like insulating a basement or insulating existing interior or exterior walls, foam insulation kits are available. The basic method of applying foam insulation yourself is the same for each project. Foam insulation is sprayed between bare wall studs after the wall covering is removed. Interior walls are insulated by drilling holes in the drywall and pumping foam into the wall via a tube. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Rubber gloves
- Protective mask or respirator with filters
- Foam insulation kit
- Drill with hole saw
- Stud finder
- Plastic straws
- Foam Saw
- Joint compound
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper
Instructions
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Insulate Window and Doors
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Wear latex gloves, painter's mask, and safety glasses. Insert the tube into the can nozzle according to the instructions on the can.
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Run a bead of foam insulation along the crack or gap. Fill the area halfway to allow for the expansion of the foam.
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3
Use a putty knife or foam saw to remove the excess foam once it has set.
Insulate Interior Walls
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4
Locate the wall studs in the wall using a stud finder. Use a drill to make holes at the 3- and 6-foot levels and 8 inches from the top of the wall between the studs.
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Insert the fill tube into the lowest hole and pump slow-rise foam into the wall. Track the fill by inserting a plastic straw into the hole above to detect the level of the foam. When the foam reaches the next hole up, insert the fill tube in the next hole. Repeat until the wall is insulated.
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Scrape off excess foam using a foam saw or a putty knife from the surface of the wall.
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Patch the holes with joint compound and a putty knife. Let the compound dry thoroughly and sand it lightly. Repeat if necessary. Paint the wall.
Spray Foam Insulation
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Use masking tape to cover all electrical boxes and outlets to protect them from penetrating foam. Spray a small test area to get a feel for the nozzle and foam.
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Spray a 1-inch bead around the perimeter of each area. Spray the foam 18 to 24 inches away from the surface. Use side-to-side motions to insulate between the wall studs. Start at the top of the wall and work down to the floor.
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Check the set insulation and spray any cracks or gaps with a light spray to seal the area. Do not spray to excess.
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Use a foam saw to slice off the excess foam and make the insulation flush with the wall studs to prevent problems when the drywall is installed.
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Tips & Warnings
Spray foam insulation can be harmful to your lungs. Never use spray foam insulation without the proper protective gear. Never allow smoking or any open flame in the spray area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit house image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
