Yes, we remove spray foam from homes all over Kirkby, in both the L32 and L33 postcode districts. We cut the foam away from the rafters and roof underside by hand, clear all waste, check the timbers for damp and decay, and give you a photographic report. If needed, we then re-insulate the loft at ceiling level.
Post-war housing and the foam we find in it
Much of Kirkby’s housing dates from the 1950s and 1960s, when the town grew from a small village into a large overspill settlement for Liverpool. Houses from that era tend to have plain gable-ended or hipped roofs, modest lofts and concrete tiles. They were designed with a cold, ventilated loft: insulation on the ceiling, air moving freely above it. Spraying foam onto the roof slope turns that idea upside down.
What we commonly see in Kirkby lofts:
- Foam sprayed straight onto the back of tiles where there was little or no felt originally, which glues the tiles together and makes replacing a broken one very difficult.
- Gable walls and party walls left uncovered, so heat escapes around the edges anyway.
- Old mineral wool still on the joists underneath, now compressed and dusty.
- Eaves packed tight with foam, cutting off ventilation.
Where old insulation is on the loft floor as well, our loft insulation removal clears it out at the same visit.
Non-traditional construction: a word of caution
Some post-war homes across the country were built using non-traditional methods such as concrete panels or steel frames, and lenders already look closely at those. If your home is one of these, foam in the roof adds a second issue for a valuer to consider. We are not structural engineers and will not comment on the construction type itself, but we can remove the foam and record the condition of the roof so that whoever is assessing the property has a clear view.
If your loft has loose, grey-brown granular insulation that looks like small pebbles, do not disturb it. It could be vermiculite, which may contain asbestos. It must be tested first, and any asbestos must be handled by a licensed specialist. We do not work on suspected asbestos.
How we approach a Kirkby loft
- Phone call: house type, where the foam is, roughly when it went in, and whether a sale or remortgage is involved.
- Visit: we look at the loft, identify the foam type and check access.
- Written quote: clear about what is included and how long it should take.
- Removal: hand tools only, with ceilings and the roof covering protected.
- Report: photos and notes on rafters, battens, tiles and moisture levels.
If the foam is the hard, rigid type bonded to tiles, our closed-cell foam removal page explains why that work takes longer. When the roof is clear and dry, we can lay new mineral wool to restore warmth, as described on our re-insulating after removal page.
Nearby areas
We also look after homes in Huyton and over the motorway in Maghull. To understand what we do across the region, visit our Liverpool spray foam removal page.
Spray foam in your Kirkby loft?
Phone 07777 659786 or use the form. We will ring you back, ask a few questions about the house and the foam, and arrange to come and look. Find out more about our spray foam removal across Knowsley and Merseyside.
Frequently asked questions
Can foam sprayed straight onto tiles in a Kirkby roof be removed?
Yes, but it needs care. Where there is no felt, the foam is bonded directly to the backs of the tiles and battens, so we cut it back carefully to avoid loosening the covering. Some tiles or battens may need attention from a roofer afterwards, and we will show you where in the photo report.
Do you work in Northwood, Southdene and Westvale?
We cover the whole of Kirkby across L32 and L33, including those neighbourhoods. Mention your street when you call and we will arrange a visit at a time that suits you.
Will a housing association let me remove spray foam?
If your home is rented from a housing association or the council, the landlord owns the roof, so you would need their permission first and they would normally arrange any work. We mainly work for homeowners and private landlords, who can instruct us directly.
How do I know whether the foam is causing damp?
Signs include a musty smell in the loft, dark stains on the ceiling below, or foam that feels wet or crumbles. Often there are no visible signs until the foam is removed. An inspection checks what can be seen, and removal lets us test the timbers properly.