Good spray foam is quiet, firm, fully adhered and odourless once cured. When an install goes wrong, it tells you - here's what to watch for, because catching it early matters.
The warning signs
- Lingering odour weeks after installation - a sign of off-ratio foam that never fully cured.
- Shrinkage or pull-away - gaps opening at the edges where the foam has separated from the substrate.
- Soft, sticky or crumbly spots - incorrect mixing or temperature; cured foam should be firm.
- Uneven coverage or missed spots - thin areas and voids that defeat the air-seal.
What causes it
Almost always the install: off-ratio mixing, cold substrate, spraying too thick per pass, or poor prep. The material is reliable; the application is where it fails.
What to do
Document it, contact the installer, and reference the standard (CAN/ULC-S705) and any warranty. Prevention is better: hire certified. See why spray foam fails and how to choose a contractor.
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