Drafty rooms and high energy bills are very common every time a Lake Michigan wind blows through Evanston. When homeowners choose Open Cell Spray Foam, they are making a solid choice for soundproofing and thermal performance, especially in the tricky attic cavities of older vintage homes around Central Street or the historic district. Before the Western Insulation Company truck pulls up and the hoses start running, you need a plan. Western Insulation Company outlines the actual project workflow below.
The Timeline: How Long Does This Actually Take?
Most residential Open Cell Spray Foam jobs that Western Insulation Company handles take 1 to 3 days, depending entirely on the square footage and accessibility. Day one is usually setup, masking, and prepping the space. The actual Open Cell Spray Foam application happens very fast, sometimes in just a few hours, because that foam expands instantly on contact. Homeowners will need to factor in a mandatory curing and ventilation window before anyone moves back into the treated zones. Plan on being out of the immediate work area for at least 24 hours while the chemical reaction stabilizes and the air clears out completely.
What to Expect on Spray Day
Things get loud and busy around the house during Open Cell Spray Foam installation. The Western Insulation Company crew will show up with a large rig parked outside, running heated hoses right through an open window or door. You will hear the high-pitched whine of the proportioner machine running continuously. Inside, technicians wear full personal protective equipment, including supplied-air respirators, because uncured chemicals demand serious respect. The smell during Open Cell Spray Foam application is distinct, but it dissipates rapidly once proper ventilation fans kick in. Pets might act spooked by the noise; it is best to board them or keep them far away from the work zone.
How to Prepare Your Home
You cannot just leave your storage boxes piled up in the attic and expect us to work around them. Clear out every single item from the spaces where we are applying Open Cell Spray Foam. Take down temporary holiday decorations, old furniture, and stored keepsakes. If we are working in an open attic, sweep the floor if you can so dust does not get kicked up into the wet foam. Cover any remaining immovable items with heavy plastic sheeting, though our crew will also do extensive masking of floors, windows, and light fixtures. Make sure there is a clear, unobstructed path from our rig outside straight to the Open Cell Spray Foam installation area.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign That Contract
- What is the exact density and R-value per inch of the specific Open Cell Spray Foam product you are spraying?
- Are your installers certified manufacturers trained for this exact brand of Open Cell Spray Foam?
- What is the re-entry time and ventilation protocol after Open Cell Spray Foam application finishes?
- Does your bid include the cost of teardown and disposal of old, failing fiberglass batt insulation before Open Cell Spray Foam goes in?
Taking a little extra time to prep properly saves everyone headaches and keeps your Open Cell Spray Foam project moving smoothly from start to finish.