Expanding foam is a wildly popular sealant used to insulate draught-prone windows, seal cracks and prevent leaks. It’s quick and efficient, but that doesn’t mean it’s a foolproof product.
If you use the wrong foam type or apply it incorrectly, you may cause immediate or subsequent damage to your construction. Neither issue is good for your reputation and costs valuable time, money and resources in repairs.
This article aims to help you avoid the common mistakes and pain points associated with fitting windows with expanding foam so that you can confidently move on to your next job.
Using expanding foam around windows.
Whether fitting uPVC windows with expanding foam or sealing around wooden window frames, you must always be cautious of the following:
- Jamming windows shut
- Warping and distortion
- Fire hazards
- Leaving behind an unattractive mess of hardened foam that is difficult to remove
These are the most common issues you’re likely to encounter and situations you should always avoid for a professional finish.
Expanding foam tips
Use expanding foam for windows correctly and efficiently by observing the following tips.
Remain Cautious of Expanding Properties
One of the reasons why expanding foam is so advantageous is because it reaches and seeps into difficult-to-access areas.
However, when working across different areas of a busy site, it’s not uncommon to fall into auto-pilot mode. Therefore, it’s important to stay alert to which type of foam you use, so you don’t accidentally go overboard.
Tytex Expanding Foam, for example, has high expansion qualities, so you must work with caution to prevent the excess formula from jamming windows shut or warping and damaging the window frame.
Always abide by the best-before date.
Buying and applying expired foam may seem tempting to minimise expenses, but it’s a risk.
It’s crucial to adhere to the best-before date on the can. Using expired goods might cause foam shrinkage and degradation, affecting the window fitting and posing safety issues.
At Adkwik, we advise construction companies to take advantage of our incredible bulk, web-exclusive prices. In addition, you can receive fresh batches of expanding foam delivered the next day if you order before 3.30 pm, so there’s no time wasted.
Be wary of fire hazards.
Be careful about getting foam near lighting or electrical outlets, as this could clog up parts, trap heat and increase the fire risk.
You may not be working directly around an electrical source, but expanding foam is prone to dripping. Try to keep the can on a cardboard surface until it has stopped dripping, then wipe away any mess with a cloth soaked in solvent.
Always have foam solvent on hand.
Undoubtedly, every toolkit that includes an expanding foam must have a foam solvent cleaner counterpart.
This formula, such as Tytex’s gun and foam solvent cleaner, helps to chemically dissolve excess foam before it can harden. Without it, you will have a difficult time cleaning up any mess.
It allows you to keep your tools and working area clean, which is essential for a tidy, professional result.
Here at Adkwik, we offer a wide range of adhesives, abrasives and sealants to aid your construction work. Browse our full range of expanding foams and additional sealants to source the product you need.
For specialist advice on overcoming a specific problem, reach out and contact our friendly team of experts.