How to Add Insulation to an Existing Home

Add insulation to an existing home with slow rise expanding foam insulation.

Adding a layer of slow rise foam insulation to an existing home creates a flame retardant ring of protection from heat and cooling loss, outside noise and insects. Expanding foam insulation is pumped into the walls of your home through drilled holes into exterior, stucco, brick or under vinyl siding. Holes are drilled through the drywall of interior walls, a tube inserted and the walls filled with expanding foam insulation. Lower your energy costs while protecting your home from the elements with a slow rise foam insulation kit available for home use.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses
• Rubber gloves
• Protective mask
• Slow rise foam kit for existing wall insulation
• Drill with hole saw
• Stud finder
• Plastic straws
• Foam Saw

Send to Phone

Brought to you by

Send to Phone

Please enter your 10 digit phone number only.

Send

A link to this article has been sent to the phone number provided.

Close

Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. Message and data rates may apply.

Instructions

1. Open your slow rise foam installation kit. Assemble the components according to the manufacturer's directions. Read the directions thoroughly until you have a complete understanding of the setup and application.

2. Locate the studs in the wall using a stud finder and drill holes between the studs. Make the hole large enough for the tube to fit through easily. Drill the holes at the three- and six-foot levels and the last hole eight inches from the top of the wall. Use the appropriate drill with a bit, or a hole saw, for your type of wall.

3. Feed the tube through the lowest hole in the wall and start the flow of slow rise foam according to the manufacturer's instructions for speed and amount of flow. Insert a plastic straw in the hole above to check the level of foam. If the foam is near the hole, remove the tube from the lower hole, and insert the hose in the next hole up. Continue these steps until the wall is completely insulated.

4. Scrape or cut off the excess foam on the surface of the wall. On outside walls the water soluble foam insulation can be hosed off with water.

5. Plug all the holes using grout, joint compound or the substance which is meant for your type of wall. Cover the holes with joint compound on drywall, let them dry, sand lightly and repeat if necessary before painting.

Tips & Warnings

• The insulation procedure for exterior or interior walls is the same. Vinyl siding must be removed before drilling holes. Drill holes in the grout between bricks and between wall studs.

• Do not overfill your walls with expanding foam insulation to avoid breaking, cracking or damaging drywall. If overfilling has caused loose or separating drywall, reinforce them with drywall screws using a drill. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when working with slow rise foam insulation.

References

• Slow Rise Spray Foam Existing Walls
• Wall Foam Insulation for Existing Homes
• Retro foam insulation

Resources

• Wall Foam for Existing Homes and Buildings