It's all about temperature. Each spray foam kit contains everything you need to produce the insulation foam. Once you've read the instructions and prepared the product it's just a matter of pulling the trigger and foam is produced. However, to get an effective application and the desired results you need to ensure you apply the application under recommended conditions...and temperature is the most important.
Temperature, Temperature, Temperature!
Tank temperature is the most important incredent when applying spray foam. The temperature of the chemicals inside the tanks affect the viscosity of the liquid and the pressure in the tanks. If the temperature is outside the manufacturer's recommendations it can result in inconsistant foam and lower yields.
In general optimal core temperature is 75-85 F for most products. However, temperature ranges may vary by formulation, so please check the operation instructions for your specific product.
Keys to Temperature
- Store the Tanks Indoors - If possible store your tanks indoors at room temperature. If your tanks are delivered by a truck and are cold it can take up to 3 days for the chemical to reach room temperature. Plan accordingly.
- Heat the Tanks - You can use a hot box or small space heater to decrease the amount of time it takes to warm the chemical and help maintain the temperature if you are spraying at lower outdoor temperatures.
- Warm Water Bath - You can also place the tanks in a warm water bath to speed up the warming process. Be sure not to get water in the gun, valve stem or hose assembly.
- Plan Ahead - During cooler times of the year, keep in mind that your tanks may arrive off the truck cold. Be sure to plan ahead so that you will have enough time to warm them back up prior to use.
Note: You can spray foam in lower ambient temperatures, the key is in sufficiently pre-warming and maintaining the proper core tank temperatures.
This information is provided as a service and is not necessarily applicable in all situations. Each individual user must determine proper and safe ways to warm and or store the products.
