Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.

PCA Launches Membership Scheme for Spray Foam Insulation Removal

The Property Care Association (PCA) has launched a new branch of membership for contractors who specialise in removing spray foam insulation. The move comes as more than 250,000 UK homes have spray foam insulation, which can cause issues such as trapped moisture, damp, mould, and timber decay if incorrectly installed.

Spray foam insulation has raised concerns among lenders, making it harder for some homeowners to sell or remortgage their properties. The PCA has responded by developing inspection protocols and consumer guidance, and by introducing the PCA Spray Foam Assessor Register to improve consistency in the assessment of installations.

The PCA’s new membership aims to address the rapid growth of unregulated contractors in the spray foam removal sector, which has increased the risk of scams. The scheme will set defined membership and competency requirements, provide independent auditing, compliance monitoring, technical guidance, training, and representation for contractors.

The PCA states that the objective is to provide an independently recognised benchmark for higher standards, helping consumers make informed choices and enabling reputable contractors to demonstrate their professionalism. The association is working with contractors, government, lenders, and the wider property sector to establish this framework.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, the PCA’s initiative may offer greater confidence when dealing with properties affected by spray foam insulation, supporting more reliable assessments and contractor selection.