Does Mold Remediation Need to Happen Before Spray Foam is Installed?

If you own or manage a commercial building, you’ve probably heard about how important spray foam insulation is for your property. Besides keeping the building energy efficient, it also helps in sealing leaks and helps create a strong barrier that can tolerate tough weather conditions. 

But before you start talking to a roofing company, for spray foam insulation, there’s one thing you need to consider – mold!

You might have questions like- Can I spray over the mold and move on? Should I remove it first? Well, applying spray foam on a mold-infested roof can reduce your indoor air quality, cause structural damage, and more. 

So, to clear all your confusion in this matter, today we’re gonna talk about everything you need to know about why mold remediation should always happen before spray foa installation.

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Why You Shouldn’t Apply Spray Foam Over Mold

Mold is a type of fungus that enjoys hiding in damp, dark places in your property, like the crawl space, behind walls, attic, etc. And if it finds a cozy shelter there with a lot of moisture, it’ll start spreading fast, causing structural damage to your property and health problems like headaches, respiratory issues, allergies, and more.

Spray foam insulation is a type of liquid made of isocyanate and polyol resin. When you apply Spray Polyurethane foam (SPF) or spray foam onto the roof, it will slowly expand to form a hard layer on the surface. And this layer will seal off all leaks, gaps on the roof, and create an airtight barrier. 

So, if you apply spray foam on a roof that already has mold, you’re trapping moisture underneath that airtight layer. Over time, this moisture will feed the mold, and it’ll continue to grow and spread unseen. So, by applying spray foam over a roof surface that has mold, you’re not killing it; you’re hiding or covering the problem.

What Happens If You Apply Spray Foam Over Mold?

If you apply spray foam over mold on your roof, you can face problems like –

• Hidden Spread: Mold will keep growing and spreading under the foam, and you wouldn’t know about it.
• Structural Damage: Mold can destroy wood, drywall, and insulation materials in your property.
• Low Indoor Air Quality: Mold spores can enter your home through your HVAC system and contaminate your property’s indoor air.
• Health Issues: Breathing air with mold spores can cause headaches, allergic symptoms, and even fatigue among your tenants and employees.
• Wasted Money: If you catch the problem of mold later down the line, you will have to replace your entire roof, which can cause you to spend a lot of money.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Source) warns that mold must always be removed and the area fully dried before starting any new construction or insulation work, as covering it can trap moisture and worsen contamination.

So, the best solution to this problem is opting for mold remediation before applying spray foam. But first, you need to know how to spot the signs of mold on your roof!

How to Know If You Have Mold on Your Property’s Roof?

You can look for these symptoms to know if your roof has mold –

• A musty smell can mean there’s mold hiding somewhere on the roof surface. 
• See if you find any dark spots or fuzzy patches on wood or drywall.
• You can check if the paint is peeling or if there are any damp areas on the roof.
• Keep a check on your allergy symptoms and notice if you’re coughing more when you’re inside the building.

If you suspect mold on your roof, it’s best to contact a professional who can inspect the roof using proper equipment and remove mold before applying spray foam on the surface.

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How to Remove Mold & Apply Spray Foam on Your Roof?

Removing mold from your roof and then applying spray foam isn’t something you can do on your own, without proper equipment and expertise. For this, you need to rely on a trusted roofing company that can do the job safely, efficiently, and quickly. Here’s what they’ll do –

• Inspection

A professional expert will check your roof for mold and see if it has spread elsewhere using proper testing equipment.

• Containment 

Mold removal professionals will seal off the work area to make sure mold spores don’t spread to other parts of the building.

• Removing Mold

The trained experts will clean the affected area using industrial-strength cleaners, antimicrobial solutions, and other professional equipment.

• Drying

The roofing professionals will ensure that all surfaces are dry to prevent mold from coming back.

• Preparing the Surface 

After drying the surface, experts will repair any damaged areas and prepare the roof surface for applying spray foam insulation.

• Applying Spray Foam 

Professional experts will apply spray foam on the roof surface to seal all the gaps, leaks, and cracks to create an airtight, moisture-resistant barrier.

• Final Inspection 

Lastly, the experts will inspect if the foam is sprayed properly and ensure there is no mold on the roof anymore.

Open Cell vs. Closed Cell Spray Foam for Mold Prevention

One of the common questions to consider while applying spray foam on your roof is which one you should opt for – open cell or closed cell spray foam. Well, our suggestion is to go for closed-cell spray foam. Apart from providing other benefits, it’s excellent for resisting moisture and mold. As per the U.S. Department of Energy (Source), closed-cell spray foam offers superior moisture resistance and enhances a building’s overall energy efficiency.

Here’s what you need to know about both the spray foam types!

Aspect	Open Cell Spray Foam	Closed Cell Spray Foam
Density	Light and flexible	Thick and rigid
Moisture resistance	Absorbs moisture	More resistant to moisture
Best for	Interior walls, soundproofing	Attics, crawl spaces, basements
Mold prevention	Fair	Best option

How to Remove Mold on Spray Foam Insulation

If you come across the problem of mold on your insulated roof early on, you can remove mold from the spray foam insulated layer. But for this, you need to take help from professionals. They can –

• Scrub the affected area with mild cleaners. 
• Use specialized vacuums to get rid of the loose spores and stop them from spreading. 
• Dry the foam properly to stop mold growth.

But if mold has gone deep inside the foam, then you need to remove and replace the insulation altogether.

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Your Common Questions on Mold Remediation Before Spray Foam Insulation

• How long after mold remediation should you spray foam on the roof?

After the area is fully cleaned and completely dry, a professional expert can spray foam on the roof. The time will usually depend on the size of the area, but in most cases it’s done after 24 to 48 hours.

• Is it safe for employees or tenants to stay in the building during mold remediation?

It is better for the employees and tenants to evacuate the space during the mold remediation process to avoid breathing air with mold spores. 

• How do I prevent mold in new spray foam insulation?

You need to ensure that you control moisture, fix leaks quickly, and maintain proper ventilation to prevent mold growth.

Read More : 

1. Do I Need to Remove Old Insulation Before Installing Spray Foam?
2. Is Spray Foam Insulation Waterproof?
3. Spray Foam vs. Traditional Roofing: Benefits for Commercial Properties
4. Why Early Roof Leak Detection is Critical for Foam Roofs

Takeaway

If you have mold on your roof, you need to remove it before applying spray foam insulation. Otherwise, moisture can get trapped inside and cause mold growth over time. And for removing mold, you need to always rely on a professional expert. They have the right tools, expertise, and knowledge about the work and can do the job efficiently.

Secure Your Roof With Spray Foam Roofing With Foam Experts Co.’s Help!

At Foam Experts Co., we have over 40 years of experience in providing spray foam insulation, including closed-cell spray foam, on commercial and industrial roofs. Plus, our experts make sure to prep and clean the roof properly before starting the spray foam application process. 

If you want guaranteed satisfaction, high-quality work, and good customer service, we’re the Redding roofing company you can trust. Plus, we have licensed, bonded, and insured pros, so you won’t have to think twice before hiring us. 

So, call us now at (530) 275-4588.