OWNERS of homes with spray foam insulation in Wales are being targeted by rogue traders, who pose as experts then charge thousands of pounds for dodgy removal works, a national trade body has warned.
Increasingly sophisticated scammers are claiming they have access to a ‘national database’ of properties that are likely to lose significant value if the insulation is not removed says the Property Care Association (PCA).
Some attempt to lull vulnerable customers, including pensioners, into a false sense of security by inferring they are part of the PCA, with some instances reported of so-called ‘surveyors’ presenting fake ID that features the PCA logo.
Incorrect installation of spray foam insulation can lead to trapped moisture which can cause mould, damp and timber decay but the foam is difficult and expensive to remove once applied.
PCA Chief Executive, Sarah Garry said: “Spray foam installations and inability to access mortgages remain one of the top reasons for which constituents contact their local MPs.
“In the UK around 250,000 homes have spray foam insulation and many of those householders are now struggling to sell or release equity, as well as being targeted by cold callers pushing them to remove it, or legal firms pursuing cases of mis selling.
“The PCA does not have in-house surveyors, however, we have created a register that allows homeowners to check that people assessing spray foam have the appropriate training and are audited.
“Some of our surveyors have even found that fraudsters have impersonated them, going so far as to issue fake reports in their name.
“Anyone with concerns about fake surveyors or rogue spray foam removal companies can check the register, use the ‘find a member’ tool on our website to check whether a company or spray foam surveyor is a genuine PCA member or speak to one of our team.”
The problems and costs involved in removing spray foam insulation are so significant that PCA joined with HomeOwners Alliance to campaign for mortgage lenders, ministers and property experts to develop a process that would allow the sale of property with retrofitted spray foam.
Chief Executive of the HomeOwners Alliance, Paula Higgins said: “We continue to receive reports of vulnerable householders being targeted by cold callers, offering to remove spray foam insulation.
“It is likely that these rogue traders will have acquired homeowners’ details illegally and we appeal to the public not to engage with them and contact their local trading standards office with their concerns.
“The current position is unfair to homeowners who have taken reasonable steps, and in many cases were encouraged by government grants, to install the product.
“For these people to then be targeted by unscrupulous scammers is of great concern to us, particularly when some of these so-called surveyors are claiming to be part of the PCA.”
At a roundtable discussion hosted by Minister for Energy Consumers, Martin McCluskey MP earlier this month, Sarah Garry set out the results of a 2025 PCA survey which revealed 35 per cent of properties had at least one defect as a result of spray foam, with 27 per cent of those cases requiring re-quilting or re-roofing.
All parties at the roundtable agreed there should be communication with consumers highlighting the need for an appropriate review by a qualified specialist before any insulation is installed and creating a list of competent organisations that surveyors and lenders can refer consumers to for spray foam removal.
To provide assurance to residents and lenders, the PCA has created the Sprayed Foam Inspection Protocol and set out a register of surveyors that are adequately trained and audited.
The PCA also co-authored a consumer guide on spray foam insulation, which signposts homeowners to appropriate resources and includes advice on sourcing a suitably competent surveyor, available at: Spray Foam Insulation Consumer Guide.
The consumer guide was jointly produced by the PCA, Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA), Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA), Andy Wilson Financial Services, Bangor University and RPC, and updated following the roundtable debate.
The HomeOwners Alliance also have a guide for consumers on the issue, available on the HomeOwners Alliance ‘Spray foam insulation warning to homeowners’ webpage.
Anyone concerned about a potential spray foam insulation scam can telephone the PCA on 01480 400000 for help.
