Trade Body for Independent Surveyors Retracts Guidance, Collaborates with Manufacturers to Reissue It
Independent Surveyors Trade Body RPSA Revises Guidance on Spray Foam Insulation problems
The Independent Surveyors trade body, RPSA, has reversed its stance on spray foam insulation.
Spray Foam has been blamed for making approximately 250,000 homes ineligible for mortgages, as lenders fear its long-term effects. Many experts believe that spray polyurethane (PU) can cause damp issues within roofs, leading surveyors to often recommend its removal before a house purchase can proceed. This has tightened lending criteria and hindered many homeowners from selling their properties owing to spray foam insulation problems.
The RPSA (Residential Property Surveyors Association) has now retracted its guidance from December last year, which advised surveyors to recommend the removal of spray foam and replacement of the roof if no detailed technical information was available.
A group of stakeholders, supported by the Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) and including spray foam manufacturers and installers, surveyors, valuers, and lenders, is now collaborating to standardise installation procedures and develop inspection protocols to help with spray foam insulation problems.
Factually Inaccurate
Elizabeth Lalli-Reese, global vice-president of Huntsman Building Solutions, states, “We believe that the guidance issued by the RPSA in December 2021 was factually inaccurate, creating unwarranted concern among homeowners and lenders. We call for it to be retracted. Spray foam is a proven technology for making our homes more efficient and is a practical, sensible, and safe option for homeowners.”
Alan Milstein, Chairman of RPSA, now says that the RPSA is reviewing this guidance. He comments, “We recognize the concerns raised by Huntsman and are encouraged by the positive way all parties have approached this initiative. Therefore, we have agreed to retract our current guidance pending a full review. Our goal is to republish it based on the outcomes from the industry group by Spring 2023, providing our members with the detailed knowledge necessary to risk assess any spray foam installation.”
