Anybody apply foam insulation to walls?

[Gold Metal Flake]

I mean filling external walls that are devoid of insulation with the slow-rise foam such as that from Tiger Foam. Looking for application hints and hang-ups.

I plan to do one room to start, the room that gets the most afternoon sun. One 600 bd/ft container will do it. If it works out well I will do the other walls as I can, loomimg global depression willing.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. What do you mean be externel wall?

To my knowledge what you are doing is highly unrecommended.It does say one room at a time. Usually for what you are talking about you drill holes with a holesaw bit and blow in the insulation. It comes in bags and you rent the machine to BLOW IT IN.Than you plug those holes and paint to match.And you must be aware of the wiring and plunbing and so fourth inside the walls.Where it all is and is not.
You need to consult with somebody what knows something.

Therefore the answer is no don't do it.

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. You are unclear on the process.

Use the link to understand.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. I would look into the down side of that.

You can do that by finding a link somewhere by insulation specialists or a product manufacturer.Or try consulting with a insulation specialist in your locality. Ask what is the down side to that.

[Kolesar]

4. Foam will shrink after insulation and undo its effectivness

The shrunken foam will reveal gaps where convective airflow will move the heat out of your home.

That's why I went with borate-treated shredded cellulose. Cellulose is recycled paper so it does not out-gas toxins, is cheap, and is an earth friendly product.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

5. Correct me

if I am wrong but it comes in a bag and you blow it in right! So you calculate the square footage you will need to fill the walls and buy as many bags as you need .You do know in the 1920's and 1930's ,it was common to use newspaper ! Unshreded of course!

You described just what I thought,although I have never looked in to that product.

You know it just has to remind you of that quicky fix a flat stuff you buy at the auto supply store!

But seriously though, I use spray foam under spa baths when I install those. It's more of a noise reduction thing and it keeps the fiberglass firmed up.

As a contractor I use spray foam for different things ,but I would never actually insulate with that stuff!

You called my point right on the money ,of that I am sure.

The only thing bad about the baggy stuff is when you open up a wall to do repairs, well, you know what happens ! And of course the electrical junction box's must all be covered. A house built in 42,right? The old wiring style. nott and tie. Or maybe it was rewired,or maybe not.How many plugs are on those walls? Or does any of that matter with that foamy stuff.

Nope, I wouldn't use it!

Forget that link ,go with Theborealavengers method, it.s better than the foamy stuff!

That method has stood the test of time if that means anything.

[Kolesar]

6. The cellulose contractor knew how to use the hose to "really pack it in"

Or so they claimed. Since they had experience, they could ensure that the wall cavities get filled even if there are odd shapes due to plumbing and electrical boxes.

In all fairness, I found where they missed one cavity.

I actually rewired the house and replaced the knob and tube "exposed" wiring before I put roll insulation over the ceilings and before putting cellulose into the walls.

There is a new polyurethane foam without the shrinkage problem. It costs more. You may not find qualified contractors. It is not a "renewable/recycled" resource. (It is from petroleum).

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Do you think that spray foam in a can would stick to the bottom of a steel bathtub? Our bathtup is over an unheated crawl space and is cold to the touch. I just have to figure how to get into there.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

7. I don't see why not

However I think you can buy a paint on or roll on bath tub insulater.A type may be a plasta coat. You might try calling builder supply or home depot ,plumbing dept and ask about insulator paint,roll or trawl on. I have seen tubs packed underneath with insulation for that very reason.

With spray in foam insulator you most likely would use minimum expansion and you would want to be careful not to lift your tub up.In other wrds you don't want to over do it.

Even if you stuffed insulation, what comes in rolls under your tub ,that would help a lot. Home owners that have done that ,tell me it works.

Also find a new bath tub in the store with the black plastac coating,ABS pipe looking and ask a sales rep. where you can buy that stuff to coat your cast iron tub from the bottom side.

Also there is that stick on insulation for pipes ,that too would work.
The problem you are addressing requires that you engineer a practical solution ,and as it seems you are on your way there.

Head over to Home depot and see what you can find. I am thinking about that stick on insulator stuff.
The plastic coating insulator stuff may come in spray on cans. That's something you may want to do a search on.

Good thinking.
And good luck.