|
Frequently Asked Questions
Hello my name is Jamie and I run this website and answer all technical questions by telephone/email.
I have tried to set out below the most frequently asked or common questions starting with the most frequent at the top.
If a question that you would like to know the answer to is NOT on here please send me a quick email by pressing on the contact us link above (top left hand corner).
Q. How easy is Handi-Foam® to use ?
A. This is perhaps the most commonly asked question. Handi-Foam® is very easy to use as long as you follow the instructions and guidelines, Use your common sense and respect the product. The advantage of using Handi-Foam® is that you can do it yourself and save hundreds from paying an outside company. Handi-Foam has been designed for the DIY market, making it is easy to use and understand. Full Operating Instructions are supplied with every set of cylinders.
Q. How much coverage will I get from the foam kits ?
A. The Medium Sized Tanks will cover approx.
17m2 at a thickness of 25mm or 200ft2 at a thickness of 1".
The Large Sized Tanks will cover approx.
56m2 at a thickness of 25mm or 600ft2 at a thickness of 1"
Q. How much coverage will I get from the foam kits if I am injecting into a mould or cavity? (slow rise)
A. When calculating how far the foam will go, you need to remember that 1000 litres is equal to 1m3 (cubic metres).
The Medium Sized Tanks should fill approx. 0.5m3 or 17ft3
The Large Sized Tanks should fill approx. 1.4m3 or 50ft3
Q. hi there, i am trying to stop the noise from flat above me, we live in a converted 1870 flat and am thinking if your product would be able to spray in the void between my ceiling and their floor boards above without taking my cieling down? what if i a); drilled small access holes in my cieling to inject throu or b); drilled into the external wall to pass the plastic pipe into and slowly pulled the pipe out?, please help, gary
A. You wouldn't believe how often I get asked this question and if there was an easy solution I would be a very rich man.
The only correct way to get the foam in-place would be to spray it in-place but nobody wants to take their ceiling down, understandably.
It is possible to inject through holes however it is a bit risky, because you can't see what's happening there's a risk that it could either bow your ceiling or push up your neighbour's floor boards.
Q. What is a board foot?
A. A board foot is defined as 12" in length x 12" in width x 1" in thickness of foam coverage. Cubic feet are determined by dividing board feet by 12. This is similar to stacking twelve pieces of 12"x12"x1" foam to create one cubic foot of foam - 12"x12"x12".
Q. What different foam types do you sell?
A. We sell a 'quick cure' spray foam for walls and ceilings which is a fast setting and a 'slow rise' injecting foam used for mould and cavity fills or where you want the foam to flow first and then expand and set.
Q. What different size kits do you sell?
A. Medium and Large
Q. What countries do you sell to?
A. Although this product is available worldwide, we only sell inside the UK and Northen and Southern Ireland. We can now cover most of Europe, to obtain a quote for shipping please send an email with your requirements and area code.
Q. If I spray a two-component kit, and the foam does not cure, is soft and spongy, or is crispy to the touch, what went wrong?
A. The kit is probably off-ratio. The components are designed to dispense 1:1 in volume. Make sure kit has been pre heated (24c - 27c) before use Make sure the kit has been thoroughly shaken before use, and that each tank valve is fully open. Change the gun nozzle and resume spraying. Proper chemical temperature is required for optimum dispensing.
Q. What is the preferred application temperature for foam?
A. The chemical temperature should be around 80 degrees F (27 degrees C) for optimal results. Foam will dispense and cure down to 40 degrees F (4 degrees C), but yield and cure can be adversely affected by low temperatures. At the upper end, temperatures should never exceed 120 degrees F (49 degrees C). Higher temperatures adversely impact shelf life. Also, for obvious reasons, it is unsafe to heat pressurized containers beyond the recommended temperatures.
Q. What is the temperature range that cured foam can withstand?
A. Cured two-component foam withstands temperatures between 200 degrees F (-128 degrees C) and +240 degrees F (116 degrees C).
Q. What if I want a break between using the Handi Foam, say a couple of days?
A. Once opened, you can have a break between using the Handi Foam, just remember to turn off all values, engage the trigger safety latch and leave a used nozzle attached to the Handi Gun. When re-using, turn values on, take off trigger safety and replace nozzle. (re-use within 14 days of opening)
Q. How can I remove foam from my skin?
A. No solvent readily removes cured foam. It is not harmful to skin and will wear off in a few days. The foam can be scraped off using a pumice stone or nail file or use our PU Foam Remover
Q. How can I remove foam from surfaces other than skin?
A. Use our PU Foam Remover.
Q. Does foam provide a barrier to rodents and insects?
A. Yes. Foam has no nutritional value and thus does not attract rodents or insects.
Q. Can fungus or mould grow on foam in damp conditions?
A. Foam does not support the growth of mould or fungus.
Q. Is foam resistant to water?
A. Yes
Q. What does the term "UL label" mean?
A. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, which is an independent, not-for-profit organization that tests consumer and industrial products for safety and performance.
Q. Can Handi-Foam® be used outdoors?
A. Yes, polyurethane foam will resist the elements. However, the foam will eventually discolour (turn dark yellow) if exposed to UV rays from the sun. This can be prevented if the foam is coated with paint or stain.
Q. Can Handi-Foam® products be reused?
A. Yes. Instructions are listed below for the different types of products:
Two-component foam Leave dispensing gun attached to cylinders and under constant pressure. Always leave the used nozzle on. Cylinder valves should be turned off; however, do not drain hoses. Fresh chemical should be dispensed through the dispensing gun every 5 to 7 days to avoid crystallization within the hoses.
Q. Do Handi-Foam® products contain fire retardants?
A. Yes, it has a European Class of E or the British standard is class 1 surface spread of flame rating to BS476 part 7. |
