You’ve accepted an offer, you’ve started packing — and then it happens. The buyer’s survey flags the spray foam insulation in your loft. Their lender declines the mortgage. The sale collapses.
If this has just happened to you, you’re not alone — and you’re not without options. Thousands of UK homeowners are facing the exact same issue, and many are still able to rescue the sale — or at least prevent the next one from falling through.
This guide walks you through what to do next.
Step 1: Take a Breath — Then Take Control
It’s completely normal to feel frustrated or blindsided. Many homeowners were told that spray foam was a great energy-saving investment — only to find out years later that it’s now a major red flag for lenders and a dealbreaker for buyers.
But this isn’t the end of your sale. In most cases, the issue can be resolved quickly and professionally — so long as you act fast and make the right moves now.
Step 2: Don’t Try to Hide It
It might be tempting to relist your home and just hope the next buyer “doesn’t notice.” But most surveyors are now trained to spot spray foam — and most lenders have blanket refusal policies.
The result? You’ll likely face:
Another failed survey
Another buyer dropping out
Price renegotiations or lost time
And in some cases, solicitor concerns delaying exchange even if the buyer is a cash buyer
The fastest, most reliable path forward is to face the issue head-on and fix it before re-listing or re-engaging the same buyer.
Step 3: Book a Free Assessment Immediately
Your next step should be to get your insulation professionally assessed by a specialist team.
At National Spray Foam Advice, we’ll:
Review your property and the type of spray foam applied
Explain what your specific lender or buyer’s surveyor will require
Match you with a trusted, vetted removal expert in your area
Help you get quotes quickly so you can resolve the issue and relaunch with confidence
This is a no-obligation service and ensures you don’t waste time with cowboy contractors or incomplete removals that still fail lender checks.
Step 4: Arrange for Full Removal (Properly)
Here’s the key: not all removal jobs are equal.
Some companies promise “fast foam removal” or “1-day cleanups” — but lenders often reject these if the job isn’t properly documented or the foam hasn’t been fully removed.
A proper removal should include:
Manual removal of all foam, even from tight or hidden areas
Assessment of your roof timbers and ventilation
Photographic evidence before, during, and after
Optional: A removal certificate if needed for lender reassurance
Once this is complete, many homeowners are able to re-engage the original buyer or attract a new one confidently — without fear of another failed survey.
Step 5: Update Your Listing With Confidence
If you’re re-listing your home, your agent can now say:
✅ “Spray foam has been professionally removed”
✅ “Roof condition has been assessed”
✅ “The property is mortgageable again”
This removes the single biggest objection from buyers, reduces their hesitation, and makes your home stand out compared to other spray foam–affected listings that haven’t taken action.
Bonus: Can You Re-Engage the Original Buyer?
In many cases, yes.
Once the foam has been removed and proof of work is available, you (or your estate agent/solicitor) can reach out to the original buyer. Their lender may be willing to reconsider the application, or the buyer may be happy to return now that the issue is resolved.
Even if they’ve walked away permanently, you’ll be in a much stronger position for the next buyer.
We Can Help — Starting Today
At National Spray Foam Advice, we help UK homeowners every day who’ve had sales fall through due to spray foam.
We provide:
Free advice and support
No-pressure assessments
Access to trusted, experienced spray foam removal professionals
Help navigating buyer or solicitor questions after removal
📞 Call us on 020 7870 3965
📩 Email: team@nationalsprayfoamadvice.co.uk
The sale isn’t lost. It just needs the right fix — and we’re here to help you make it happen.
