On Feb. 3, 2009, Health Canada, under the Hazardous Products Act, ordered RetroFit to stop importing, advertising and selling the insulation and to recall all product, but did not order that it has to be removed from houses.

Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation (UFFI) has been banned in Canada for over 20 years because it releases formaldehyde gas into the indoor air over time as it cures. According to Health Canada, a small amount (0.1 parts per million) is a safe level of formaldehyde, but it depends on your sensitivity, age and general health. We don’t really know what the risk is to health from the formaldehyde in spray foam.  Homeowners who have had RetroFoam installed can have their indoor air quality tested.

The RetroFoam company indicates that this type of insulation is very safe, and is currently being used in the U.S. and Europe.  Here are some points on Retrofoam’s stance in regards to the Canadian ban:

 “President and owner Steve Sayers has been in the business since 1983 and has seen the technological and scientific improvements in how the foam is manufactured. It simply isn’t the same product that was used back in the 1970′s and this most recent health safety test proves that.” Currently, Retrofoam is prepared from ultra-low emission materials that produce no off-gassing at levels of concern and results in a product that is completely inert.”

Formaldehyde is both a naturally occurring and a chemical agent. It is found in all woods, in pressed woods such as particleboard and in permanent press clothing. New carpeting, leather, and many construction products contain more free formaldehyde than the Retrofoam product. 

The Canadian ban is based on a product that was created back in the 1970′s called UFFI, urea formaldehyde foam insulation. This product was said to cause reactions in homeowners that were sensitive to formaldehyde. Canada banned it in 1980 for further testing.  After testing thousands of homes, researchers could not find one home that had unsafe levels of formaldehyde due to UFFI. The Canadian ban has never been lifted. Even the United States struck down a ban of UFFI in 1983 due to lack of evidence that it posed a health hazard.

Even if a simple sign in your yard did produce a buyer knocking on your door, how will you handle the following questions?

“How does your home compare to others like it on the market?”

“How did you determine the fair market value of this property?”

“What about financing? Can you help?”

“If I make an offer, who will draw up the paperwork?”

“Why aren’t you using a realtor? Is there something wrong with the property?”

“Since you aren’t using a realtor, we can take their fee right off the top, right?”

Selling your home is one of the most important financial transactions you will make in your life. Don’t take risks. Selling your home is nothing like selling a car. Every home is different. How do your determine the real market value?

The great majority of all homes are sold using a realtor. As professionals, it is our job to help you negotiate with all those buyers who want to offer you as little as possible for your home -not to mention preparing your home for sale, marketing it, and guiding you through the entire process. Make sure you are really ready to handle all of that before placing that sign in your front yard!

Remember: Buyers want to offer you as close to nothing as possible! While that “For Sale By Owner” sign might sound like a good idea, it usually means a different thing to buyers: “Try to steal this one!”