DIY Spray Foam With DAP System 600 Froth Pack
If you only have a small area to insulate like a small addition, bathroom or a basement remodel hiring a spray foam contractor can be expensive and not a viable option. In these situations, I purchase a spray foam froth pak, like the DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 is a viable option.
The DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 is a 2-component polyurethane foam kit that covers approximately 600 board feet or 50 cubic feet and can effectively seal air leaks and insulate repairs, renovations, and new installations.
The DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 is a completely self-contained, 2-component foam system that is portable and disposable. Complete with color-coded hoses, ergonomic foam applicator, and all the necessary tools to get started. It is designed for larger insulating (up to 2 inch fills), sealing, patching and filling applications. The applicators dispense a quick, consistent flow of rapid curing (60 seconds) foam capable of insulating stud wall cavities, gaps, cracks, expansion joints, and other sources of air leakage.
DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 Benefits
- ICC Evaluation Service Listed; Report # ESR-3052
- R-value = 6.2 per inch
- Class A fire-rated formula
- Closed-cell structure
- No ozone-depleting chemicals
- Resists moisture that can lead to mold or mildew
- Bonds to wood, masonry, metals, and drywall
Closed Cell Spray Foam – Best Practice
When insulating, we feel that the Best Practice is to use closed cell spray foam to fill the cavity and achieve the desired R-value. You can learn more about this method here. Best practice for basement insulation
Fiberglass insulation while still popular is not considered a best practice as an insulator. That is because it is NOT a good air barrier or vapor barrier, it performs poorly in very cold climates. In colder climates, a poly layer of plastic is added over the insulation, but experience and research have shown that installers are not able to seal this plastic well enough to create a 100% vapor barrier.
Spray Foam Still the Best Choice For Water Vapor Barrier
Depending on where you live [Climate Zone] you may be able to get away with 1-inch of closed-cell spray foam. We recommend 2-inches, as colder areas need more. The goal is to seal air leaks and to prevent warm moist interior air from meeting color exterior framing surfaces which can produce condensation. By keeping the floor joist, rafter bay or wall stud bay above the dew point, condensation cannot form which will prevent mold growth and rot.
Using the Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600
Closed-cell spray foam insulation is the only product that acts as an insulator and an air seal. To ensure that you achieve both of these goals make sure to completely follow the directions of the Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600 and do the following:
- Read and follow the instruction manual for proper setup, instructions for use, clean up, safety cautions, and storage.
- Wear proper protective clothing [PPE] including an organic vapor respirator with plenty of ventilation.
- Ensure proper operating temperatures for the system 600 kits. [chemical 70 to 90°, surfaces 60 to 90°, air temperature is 60 to 90° ]
- If you stop applying the spray foam for more than 30 seconds, replace the nozzle. To avoid this exercise the nozzle in a trashcan to keep from curing.
- Two nozzles are provided. The yellow fan nozzle is for a wide spray pattern and the clear nozzle is for a narrow spray pattern.
- The foam should be an off-white color and be cured to touch within 30 to 60 seconds.
- CAUTION: Spray foam should only be applied where it can freely rise perpendicular to the substrate. You should avoid using closed cell spray foam to fill restricted areas. Depending on the thickness of this cavity, excessive exothermal heat may cause form discoloration, smoldering or even fire.
- Do not use the spray foam against any material that reaches 250° or more, such as chimney pipes, steam pipes or heat vents.
- Install 100% coverage of foam to a 2-inch depth. [minimum]
- Above grade framing: ensure full coverage in all framing bays. Any overspray can be trimmed down later with a hand saw.
- Basement walls: ensure foam seals and covers seams at subfloor, rim joist, sill plate down to the wall cavity. Seal all air gaps.
- Apply the initial layer of foam in a 1/2 inch wet layers. This initial layer can also help warm the substrate.
- Subsequent layers can be installed in 1-inch wet layers, the foam will produce a 2X to3X original expansion volume.
- For 1 inch layers, allow approximately 15 minutes to cure between the next layer, to avoid overheating.
Flash and Batt – Using DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600
Flash and Batt Insulation refer to using 2-inches of closed-cell spray foam [R-14] to ensure that all air leaks and vapor paths are sealed. The closed-cell insulation is then followed with fiberglass batts in the remaining space to add additional insulation and meet required R-Values. This method is an option for someone looking to save costs in closed cell spray foam while still improving the wall’s thermal and vapor permeability performance. Flash and batt are most often seen in DIY or remodeling applications.
Flash and Batt Insulation Concern – Caution
The BIGGEST concern [Especially if DIY Spay-foam is used] is failing to achieve the proper thickness, that no air seal is created. Either too little [less than 2-inches] of spray foam is applied and some air leaks are left unsealed. If an air seal isn’t created, condensation can form as warm air meets cold surfaces in the wall cavity. [between the foam and fiberglass] This can lead to the growth of mold and wood rot.
DAP Touch ‘n Foam Pro System 600
The DAP Touch ‘n Foam Professional system 600 Spray Foam Kit is a portable, self-contained dispensing system. When used according to the manufacturer’s directions, this system effectively seals air leaks and insulates. It is a great solution for quick and easy spray foam applications for repairs and renovations and new installations.