A grandmother is 'trapped' in her own home after paying rogue builders more than £13,000 to remove spray foam insulation, only to be left with a leaking roof, a £20,000 repair bill, and no certification to sell her property.
Background
Patricia Salt, 76, of Brentford, West London, and her late husband John had spray foam insulation installed in their 1980s end terrace three-bedroom home in 2006 to improve energy efficiency. The insulation worked well for nearly two decades.
The Cold Call
After John's death in 2023, Patricia received a cold call in June 2025 from a company claiming to be government-backed, warning that the spray foam could cause serious damage. A surveyor recommended by the caller said the insulation was 'rock solid' and could lead to rot and roof collapse.
First Removal Attempt
Builders recommended by the surveyor quoted £7,770 to remove the spray foam and replace it with foil quilt insulation. Patricia took out a bank loan to pay. The workers were quiet and quick, and Patricia, recovering from a hip replacement, could not inspect the work. She later discovered most of the foam remained.
Second Removal and Damage
In January 2026, another caller alerted Patricia that no certificate had been issued. A survey found almost all foam still present. She hired another firm for £5,760 to remove it properly, but the work revealed cracked roof tiles, causing leaks. A full roof replacement is quoted at £20,000.
Unable to Sell or Release Equity
Patricia cannot sell her home or release equity because she lacks a certificate proving the spray foam was removed. Additionally, a tenancy in common arrangement in her husband's will complicates ownership. She is seeking legal advice and has set up a fundraiser to cover roof repairs.
Patricia said: 'I feel trapped in my own home, I'm just completely stuck.'
