Philadelphia Insulation Contractor Answers SAQ

Everybody's heard of FAQ -- Frequently asked questions. These are the types of things asked about over and over again: hours of operation, services performed, products installed, payment methods accepted, etc, etc... 

Sure, these are important aspects of a business and things you need to know before you purchase anything or enter into any kind of agreement. But we think SAQs are just as important -- if not more so -- than FAQs.

What, you've never heard of SAQs?  These are Should Ask Questions, things you should absolutely and unashamedly ask a company you're thinking of doing business with, because the answers could make or break your attitude, your opinion and your experience with that company.

Here's a list of our SAQs (and yes, some FAQs).

  1. Do you do commercial or residential work?
  2. Do you prefer small or large jobs?
  3. What types of insulation do you install?
  4. I’ve heard a lot about spray foam insulation. What’s so great about it?
  5. Okay, sounds good. But are there any health concerns with foam?
  6. What about fire? I’ve heard this stuff is flammable.
  7. I don’t have an open cavity. How do I insulate my existing walls?
  8. My house/building is noisy. Anything you can do to help me with that?
  9. So your website says you install fireproofing too. Why should I care about that stuff?
  10. There are a lot of less-than-reputable contractors out there. How can I be sure you’re legit?
  11. How are you different from other insulation/fireproofing contractors?
  12. I live in an older home with inadequate insulation. Can you help?
  13. I live in a newer house that was poorly insulated when it was built. Can you help?
  14. I’m a maintenance/facility director. How can I be sure our commercial building is meeting current fire codes?
  15. I’m a general contractor that needs a sub to insulate/fireproof a building. How can you help?
  16. My home/building has an underground storage tank that needs to be closed in place. Do you do that sort of thing?


Answers

Do you do commercial or residential work?

  • Both.

Do you prefer small or large jobs?

  • We welcome any size commercial, residential or industrial project.

What types of insulation do you install?

I’ve heard a lot about spray foam insulation. What’s so great about it?

  • Hmmm…where should we start? Well, first, we like to consider spray foam a once-and-done insulation, meaning it won’t settle or shrink or sag, so you’ll never have to re-insulate your building. It’s good for the life of the building. Secondly, it seals all cracks, gaps and crevices to create a complete air seal. What’s more, it’s ideal for dozens of applications, so it’s a versatile product that sticks to just about everything.

Okay, sounds good. But are there any health concerns with foam?

  • Cured spray foam is relatively inert, biodegradable, and safe for allergy sufferers and people with chemical sensitivities. Spray foam does have an odor and gives off fumes when it’s initially sprayed because of the chemical process taking place, but odor/fumes will dissipate within minutes or hours based on the ventilation present. Still, it’s best to minimize building occupancy during spray applications.

What about fire? I’ve heard this stuff is flammable.

  • Spray foam is combustible – meaning, if a flame source it held to it, it will give off smelly black smoke until the flame source is removed. Therefore, in some cases spray foam must be covered with a 15-minute thermal barrier on interior applications, according to current residential codes. Contrary to what you might have heard, spray foam will NOT burst into flames.

I don’t have an open cavity. How do I insulate my existing walls?

  • Pour foam insulation should do the trick. Pour foam is injected into existing walls through small holes made in the drywall/sheetrock, and allowed to expand and cure in place. Provided there is no or minimal insulation in the walls, pour foam will fill the cavity completely and create a complete air seal.

My house/building is noisy. Anything you can do to help me with that?

  • Open-cell foam is one product that can help absorb sound, as is spray-applied acoustical insulation. Both products can be installed in open and closed cavity applications. Neither product will completely eliminate noise – not a lot of products can claim to do that – but they can absorb sound so there’s less sound transmission and echo-y effect. Best to call us to discuss your individual needs.

So your website says you install fireproofing too. Why should I care about that stuff?

  • Fireproofing is a material that you’ll find in commercial applications, as well as multi-unit residential buildings, such as condos, apartment complex and high-rises to increase the fire rating of a building. Fireproofing is NOT meant to protect a building from fire; it’s intended to increase the amount of time before a building fails, thus allowing more time for the evacuation of occupants. Fireproofing is applied based on the “hour rating” required for the building. Most buildings are fireproofed for one- and two-hour fire ratings, meaning building occupants have one or two hours to evacuate a building before fire causes the building to fail. It’s meant to protect you and give you an extended period of time to safely exit a building in case of fire, and that’s why you should care about fireproofing! For more information, go here.

There are a lot of less-than-reputable contractors out there. How can I be sure you’re legit?

  • The best thing you can do is contact our past clients! Upon request, we can provide references for you to call/email to get their thoughts/opinions about Tridon. You can also call 888-520-6680.

How are you different from other insulation/fireproofing contractors?

  • Great question. It’s something we think a lot of people want to know but are afraid to ask. Here’s how we’re different: we are the go-to people for unique and unusual projects that a lot of other contractors won’t touch or don’t have the experience/resources to handle. We provide in-depth, no B.S. proposals in a timely manner. We won't disappear or "fall off the face of the earth"; we'll work with you until all your questions are answered or all your problems are solved.

I live in an older home with inadequate insulation. Can you help?

  • Absolutely! There are several areas of your home to consider. First, the attic: most heat escapes through the roof so it's really important that your attic is insulated. Second, your walls: alot of older homes don't have wall insulation, so that's another area to consider. Contact us, and we'll give you all the information you need, and possibly set up a FREE, NO OBLIGATION site visit to assess your needs.

I live in a newer house that was poorly insulated when it was built. Can you help?

  • You bet! Again, consider having your attic and walls insulated. Contact us, and we'll give you all the information you need, and possibly set up a FREE, NO OBLIGATION site visit to assess your needs. 

I’m a maintenance/facility director. How can I be sure our commercial building is meeting current fire codes?

  • We have on staff a fire marshal and expert fireproofing specialist. Conducting a site visit is the best way to know if your building is in tip-top shape and meeting current fire codes. Contact us today to schedule your FREE, NO OBLIGATION site visit. 

I’m a general contractor that needs a sub to insulate/fireproof a building. How can you help?

  • Commercial work is a large part of our business and over the years we've insulated and fireproofed hundreds of buildings up and down the east coast. Retail buildings, hospitals, schools, retirement communities, condos, churches...you name it. If it's a public project you're bidding on, send us an Invitation to Bid via fax or email and we'll gladly take a look at the scope of work. If you can send us plans/drawings, either in print or electronically, even better! If it's a private project, feel free to contact us; an estimator will gladly discuss the scope of work with you and arrange a site visit to discuss the project in more detail.

My home/building has an underground storage tank that needs to be taken out of commission. Do you do that sort of thing?

  • Hey, funny you should ask! The masonry foam we use to insulate block buildings is also approved for use to close in-place underground storage tanks that are no longer in use or plan to be taken out of commision. Filling your tank with our foam is a PROVEN way to meet state and federal regulatory agencies. It's way easier and less messy than traditional methods of abandonment, including filling with sand, slurry or concrete, or removing the tank. Closing a tank in-place with foam is quick, easy, and permanent. Before you do anything, read this.

 

Got a question that you don’t see answered here? Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer it for you, or add it to our website.