The installation procedure is as follows:-

Depending on the building structure and what is directly under the thatch, plasterboard may be required to be fixed to the underside of the joists. This task will be carried out the day before the foam injection will be done.

Small holes (19mm) are drilled between each wood joist approximately 1.5 metres apart. A boroscope is used before injection takes place to make sure that there are no hidden obstacles which could restrict the flow of the foam.

The foam is composed of resin, hardener, water and air which is pumped using electric pumps and compressors from bulk tanks on the installers's van and mixed in the gun which then injects the ProtectorFoam into the void between the thatch and the ceiling board or lath and plaster.

Upon injecting, the product looks (and expands) just like shaving foam. This foam will set quickly - usually between 40-60 seconds. After injection the holes are filled with a filler substance and painted if needed. Most installations can be carried out in a day, although this will depend on the size of property.

The depth of the joists in the structure will determine how long the foam takes to dry completely. For example a 100mm (4 inches) joist will have a drying time of approx 2 - 3 weeks. Whilst drying a slight shrinkage will occur, again this depends on the depth of the joist, but the average shrinkage would be no more than 5mm (3 - 5%).

ProtectorFoam is an open cell structure, which combined with the small shrinkage, means that the product will have no detrimental effect to the breathing of any type structures ie; wooden joists, thatch, lath and plaster plasterboard, steel frame and masonry.

ProtectorFoam contains only natural occurring products, which have been safely used in a wide variety of industrial and domestic applications. Further technical details are available on request.

There is a possibility that an odour may occur during the drying out process. Monitoring tests recently carried out by our systems designers British Industrial Plastics (B.I.P) on a thatched property which has just benefited from having ProtectorFoam installed, showed that during the drying out period, emissions were completely harmless and well within safety limits. Odours will only be emitted during the drying out process and is easily alleviated with plenty of ventilation, should it occur.