OH NO,could this happen?

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4barrel

Member
Feb 15, 2013
47
I picked up my DIY foam spray kit to insulate the rim joists in my basement this morning. I was all pumped about taking care of the job this weekend. While reading through the user manual for the Touch n foam kit, it said that the two part foam produces heat when it is expanding. My kitchen was redone about 20 years ago and insulated with batts with the paper vapor barrier on it. As this foam expands and comes into contact with this insulation I am paranoid that the paper could catch fire, any thoughts.
 
Clarify the situation for us. I envision the kitchen being separated from the basement, with subfloor separating the rim joist area from any kitchen wall insulation. Where will the contact come from? If there is batt insulation presently up against the rim, it should be removed first, and the foam applied directly to the rim. The batt can be replaced later if desired. The foam should provide around 2/3 the total R value of that combination, however.
 
The contact will be coming from the foam being sprayed into the joist area and then rising upwards where the batts is in the kitchen walls. I just don't know how hot the foam might get when I spray it on.
 
If by "rising upwards" you mean a plume of superheated air flowing past a hot foam surface, then you shouldn't worry. The maximum temperature will be inside the layer of foam, as the foam itself is insulating and retards the dissipation of the heat of reaction. Follow the directions carefully, and don't apply in greater thickness than specified, usually about 2" per "lift" for a closed cell foam, allowing the specified amount of time for heat dissipation between lifts.
 
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300?... Try a bit more..... Remember your book titles "Fahrenheit 454"


You are fine. No way anything is gonna burn.
 
300?... Try a bit more..... Remember your book titles "Fahrenheit 454"


You are fine. No way anything is gonna burn.

Close . . . I think the title you're remembering is Fahrenheit 451. ;)
 
Big block chevy 454.
 
Pyrolysis will drop the ignition temp of paper or thin wood down to 300F or lower.
 
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