
Tech Tip of the Month – February 2025: How to Process and Spray Foam in Cold Weather
As winter temperatures settle in, spray foam contractors face the unique challenge of maintaining high-quality spray foam insulation while working in cold conditions.
Tech Tip of the Month – February 2025: How to Process and Spray Foam in Cold Weather
As winter temperatures settle in, spray foam contractors face the unique challenge of maintaining high-quality spray foam insulation while working in cold conditions. Cold drum temperatures, chilly substrates, and low ambient temperatures can all affect foam quality and yield. But with the right techniques, you can continue to deliver top-notch results even in the harshest conditions. Here are our key tips to help you manage these challenges and maintain efficiency throughout the winter months.
1. Drum Temperature Management
Drum temperature is critical to foam quality, especially during the winter months. Keeping your rig warm will make a big difference. If you can, store your rig indoors overnight. If not, use electric heaters and drum blankets to keep your drums within the ideal temperature range of 70°F - 75°F.
- Pro Tip: Make sure your A & B preheaters are within the Delta T (ΔT) of your machine. For example, if your drum temperatures are 85°F and your preheaters are set to 130°F, that’s a ΔT of 45°F. Most machines perform best within a ΔT range of 40-60°F, so aim for that for optimal foam performance.
2. Substrate Temperature
Substrate temperature plays a huge role in achieving quality spray foam. Always check substrate temperatures with a laser thermometer before spraying.
- Best Practice: Start spraying on the sunny side of the building first and follow the sun as the day progresses. If the substrate temperature is too low, use a multi-fuel heater to warm the surface (but not while spraying). Always ensure that the area is well-ventilated.
3. Protect Your Hose
Cold temperatures can cause foam to cool too quickly, resulting in poor-quality foam. Avoid letting your hose lie on cold ground as this will reduce the foam's temperature and affect the quality of the spray.
- Pro Tip: Protect your hoses with tarps, plastic, or blankets to maintain consistent temperature from the machine to the gun.
4. Choose the Right Foam Blend
When temperatures dip below 45°F, you should be using a Winter Blend of closed-cell spray foam, which is specifically formulated for colder conditions. For temperatures above 45°F, use the regular blend foam.
- Winter blend ensures optimal curing, even in cold conditions, helping you achieve the best results despite the chill.
5. Read the Foam
One of the best ways to troubleshoot issues is to "read the foam." Here’s what to look for:
- Closed Cell Foam: If you’re experiencing “firehosing” (when foam shoots out in a stream or runs down the wall without curing properly), it usually means the drums are too cold.
- Action: Check your drum temperatures and ensure your preheaters are within the recommended ΔT range. If needed, increase your B-side preheater by 5-10°F, as the B-side resin is typically thicker and may require extra heat to flow properly.
- Open Cell Foam: If foam is pocketing between the substrate and the foam, or if it’s shrinking from the studs or rafters, it’s likely too cold.
- Action: Increase your preheater temperatures by 2°F and re-spray. If the issue persists, try circulating both A and B drums until the temperature reaches 85°F (+/- 2°F), then re-spray.
Words of Wisdom:
- READ THE FOAM: The finished foam will tell you exactly what adjustments you need to make.
- Spray Foam LOVES HEAT! Maintaining warm drum temperatures and the right substrate conditions is key to producing high-quality spray foam insulation.
By managing drum and substrate temperatures carefully, using the correct foam blend, and protecting your equipment from the cold, you can ensure that your spray foam insulation projects continue to deliver excellent performance and yield, even in the coldest months. Keep these tips in mind to stay ahead of the winter challenges and maintain your foam’s quality throughout the season!
Stay Warm, Spray Smart!
For more information about our foam blends and winter spray tips, reach out to the Thermoseal team. We’re here to help you get the best results, no matter the weather.
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