We have spray foam insulation/ next door being retiled

[DinkyDaisy]

Hoping I can let sleeping dogs lie after spending whole night in a tiz as scared self silly on Google.
Next door having whole roof retiled. We are a terrace.
Roofer told us we had spray insulation [stuck head in loft- we have and it looks ok]. So, tiles stuck like superglue. He says need to do lead divide, over our tile ridge and under next doors. Agreed as no choice really.
But, although all looks well, will we ever be able to sell our property?
Roofer said no leaks likely as tiles not going anywhere soon!
Tempted to leave it be as can't afford to look for problems at the moment.
Just horrid finding out we do have a potential issue...
Please don't scare me too much! Looking for reassurance really...
Thanks.

You've tiled over a shared space?

@GreyhoundG1rl roof tiles....

No. Sorry, not being clear.
We are not retiling. Next door is. We had no idea would impact on us.
However, not simple to do just tile link over shared divide as our tiles stuck fast...

Lots of noise outside as they are doing back at the moment...

Roofers being nice to us as think neighbour doing their head in.
However, seems we are bit clueless round building stuff.
He suggested leave alone for the moment...
Guess need to hope for the best re status of roof and be glad not planning to sell anyway and in area where can rent easily if need be!

Don't understand the issue OP - do you think there's a problem with having spray foam insulation? Its fairly common isn't it?

Google suggests might stop people getting a mortgage if we wanted to sell our property.
Didn't prevent us getting one some years ago mind you.
Lots of doom talk on line about condensation rotting wood where you can't see it under foam!
No issue we are aware of through living in house, so far...

As you say, common insulation, so must be lots of houses with it in their roof lining...

I think it can be a problem if the roof needs repairing, as the tiles can be stuck very firmly to the insulation underneath, as OP says.

I have also seen concerns that you might get a hidden damp problem either in the attic or behind the insulation, but I stress might and have no idea if that actually happens or is just theoretical.

If builders are saying it looks fine I probably wouldn't worry now : but if I ever was planning to sell, I might get my own surveyor up there to do a more thorough inspection, in case there were issues to sort out at that stage?

Happy for there to be no problem!
Just scared myself...
Plus next door going on at me...

Thanks Candycane, that's what I needed to hear!

If next door were not having their roof done would have been happily clueless...

Asked poor roofer silly questions like will vibration damage tiles or insulation sticking them down.
He laughed and said- those tiles aren't going anywhere, any time soon..
Think I am light relief compared to neighbour having the work done who is monitoring them constantly...

Vibration from their work, not general vibration...
They seem a reputable company. Googled them as well!
Hiding from next door who blamed me for previous owner insulating with spray foam. Even roofer came to my defence then as hardly my fault!
She is unhappy at how they are going to have to do the lead divide as obviously not as nice looking as tiles linking nicely.
Again not my fault as she decided to have work done on her side, not me...

I think you mean the expanding foam sprayed on the underside of the tiles. Often sold as a way of curing loose, slipping, gappy tiles.

It has a poor reputation because it can trap water against the timbers leading to rot. it is extremely difficult to make further repairs because the tiles are firmly stuck together, and roofers generally refuse this work.

If and when your roof needs major repair or replacement, the roofers are likely to cut away all the old foam, which will be more work than stripping old tiles, and clean up the timbers before they can renew the roof. This will be extra cost.

I don't agree it makes the house impossible to sell, but it will reduce the value and make it more difficult because a surveyor will highlight it. Some buyers will walk away or try to haggle the price down.

If it was me I think I would be saving up to have the roof stripped and renovated at a convenient time of my choosing. A long dry summer is ideal for roof work.

When we bought house not flagged up but that was 15 years ago.
We had no idea and probably serves us right as we had a basic survey.
Roofer says not likely an immediate issue for us but like you say, probably good to know now in case becomes one.
Obviously, cannot be sure what lurks beneath the foam...
Thanks for all advice...
We always learn the hard way!

If we ever did need to do such work, I wonder if we would be able to add the cost to our mortgage?

Just to put your mind at rest we had our bungalow sprayed 20 years ago, We have since sold it but present owner has never had a problem, so I don't think you will have to worry.

Thank you cruisecrazy. Ours has been there at least 15 years as we have lived here that long. I assume could be at least 20 years old.
I guess issue will be if we need to retile, but next doors roofer very reassuring though said he wouldn't want the job!
Also, if reselling would have to see if knocked off value. However, doing the job would cost and we won't unless/until we need to.
Hope you get on a cruise soon!

I think you should be fine. Spray foam insulation is incredibly popular in the US and Canada and is seen as a very efficient way to insulate spaces like attics. Think if yours has been applied correctly it should be fine, but like others have said it can be a hassle when reroofing or making changes. It might be an idea to get it checked though as incorrect installation can cause issues like damp. Not heard of it being a problem with mortgage companies or anything.

I should also point out that there are two types of applications of expanding foam. First, there is foam that is sold in cans and is usually used for gap filling and fixing small(ish) problems. Then there is sprayed foam that is applied by a specialist contractor to insulate the whole space (not just fixing and filling gaps) which can be used instead of PIR boards or mineral fibre insulation. This is applied with a special spraying system and doesn't come from a can and some precautions are needed, like a protective suit must be worn by the contractor (if done correctly).

I assumed you are talking about the latter.

I don't think it will affect the sale value, in fact the roof was never mentioned when we sold. Yes! hope to get on a cruise soon, have had two cancelled.

Thanks.
The foam is light orange in colour and all over inside of roof space, between the rafters.
All dry in the loft and wood seems sound to me when I tap the rafters!
However, am now aware that every time I suggest dh takes something to the dump it has gone up in the loft!

I wouldn't worry until it's an actual issue. Absolute worst case, you have to have your roof replaced and pay the roofer an extra £500 to remove all the existing foam from the structure.

Thank you All.
I have calmed down a bit since my misguided Google trawl..
You have helped...