urea-formaldehyde foam insulation

[mark lyons]

What is the effect on value of a house that has urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) if any? Is there an effect if the house passes an air qulaity test?

If it must be disclosed that a house has UFFI wouldn't a typical buyer prefer a similar house without UFFI?

Thanks

 

[Workbox]

Is this new construction?

 

[mark lyons]

from the 1970's

 

[Workbox]

from the 1970's

If you are using sales from the same neighborhood and of age, chances are that they also have it or had it too, and no special adjustment. The stuff was banned in the early 80's because of concern of the formaldehyde which dissipated over time. Eitherway it is a given that all homes should have some sort of insulation.

 

[JoTetherow]

i would buy a house with that insulation in a NY minute. it has all dried by now and no formaldehide fumes would be present anymore.

i remember selling a house in the early 80's...the buyers dad was a builder and told the kids to go ahead and buy it. if it had to be removed they were still getting a deal. property sold about 20% below market.

but that was when it was in the news and a market concern. i do not believe the market is concerned about that anymore. the condition d' jure is mold.

but do mention it.

Jo

btw, a brand new trailer..opps. HUD home... has more formaldehyde fumes coming out of it than any house with urea formadehyde insulation. just ask the people living in those FEMA trailers.....

 

[3 Putt]

btw, a brand new trailer..opps. HUD home... has more formaldehyde fumes coming out of it than any house with urea formadehyde insulation. just ask the people living in those FEMA trailers.....

Isn't that new car smell also from formahehyde?

 

[Jim Hill]

Years ago this was a big deal.

I knew someone who had a 3 family house that they pumped this stuff in the walls thinking it would work great and when the whole thing came to a head over the problems with this stuff he had to pay for the living expenses for the 3 tenents who had to move out while they removed all the drywall to scrap all this stuff back out of the walls.

It cost him a bundle and he was not a happy camper.

Formaldehyde has been used for years in small trace amounts in tooth paste.

An interesting question is after all these years would there still be a problem with fumes from this stuff or in the case of a house fire what would happen?

I don't know the answer to these questions and it would be my guess that most appraisers also do not have the knowledge needed to know the answer either.

How were you made aware of the fact that it was in the walls?

Jim Hill

 

[Don Clark]

i would buy a house with that insulation in a NY minute. it has all dried by now and no formaldehide fumes would be present anymore.
Jo,

That is not eactly true. Products with Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation was banned by the Consumer Product safety Commission in the 1970's. However, a federal court overturned that decision stating that the CPSC did not have the authority to do so. It is on the market now. It is now most often used as a sealer in hard to reach places. it also usually now has a bright color to it. I have seen both red and orange. It come in pressurized cans with a long straw attached to reach hard to get to places.

The original UFFI can became a problem all over again, many years after it has dried. This can happen when it is affected by moisture due to either high humidity, rain, leaks, etc. It gets revitalized and again gives off a gas that can affect some people with allergies and resperitory problems. Any real evidence or indication of a home insulated with UFFI should be noted by the appraiser. Since I am not an expert in environmental hazards, i usually state it this way:

"The appraiser is not an expert in environmental hazards or conditions. the appraisers report should not be considered an environmental assessment. The appraiser, based on the age of the subject, and/or observation, cannot rule out the possibility of_________________________. (Lead baaed paint, Radon, Asbetsos, UFFI, PCB's etc.) Any such concerns should be addressed by an environmental professional".