The Property Care Association (PCA) has received several calls from members of the public, including pensioners, who have been targeted by cold callers urging them to consider spray foam removal work.

In some cases, scammers have deceitfully told their victims they ‘work for the PCA,’ some going as far as to share fake ID, including the PCA logo.

In the UK, around 250,000 homes have spray foam insulation, which, if incorrectly installed, can lead to condensation build-up, potentially causing timber rot or decay, mould and mildew growth or rust and corrosion to metal components.

The problems and costs involved are so significant that PCA has joined with the HomeOwners Alliance in calling for the product to be removed from government grant schemes and for mortgage lenders, ministers, and property experts to discuss a process to allow the sale of properties with retrofitted spray foam.

In 2023, the PCA worked with lenders and building experts to create the Sprayed Foam Inspection Protocol and early last year created a register so homeowners and lenders could be assured that the people assessing spray foam installations had the appropriate training.

PCA chief executive, Sarah Garry, said, “Anyone who is concerned should contact the PCA or use the ‘Find a Member’ tool on our website to check whether a company or spray foam surveyor is a genuine member.”

The trade body has also co-authored a consumer guide on spray foam insulation, which signposts homeowners to appropriate resources and includes advice on sourcing a suitably competent surveyor, available at: Spray Foam Insulation Consumer Guide.