B&Q loft insulation+Cavity wall service. To good to be true?!

Leonie

Has anyone had any problems with cavity insulation afterward?

I've read horror stories about houses becoming damp after the treatment, with no way to remedy the problem as the insulation can not be removed.

I've lived in a damp house before and it was awful. My current house is 15 years old, usually a bit cold and draughty downstairs due to the cat flaps either side of the house which let the wind whistle through, but it hasn't got a trace of damp anywhere even though I dry all the washing indoors.

I'm reluctant to commit myself to insulation in case the house gets damp, even though I know it's ecologically sound to do it. I could dither a couple more years until I retire of course .... think I'll be too skint then to refuse it!

m4rky

Leonie wrote: »

Has anyone had any problems with cavity insulation afterward?

I've read horror stories about houses becoming damp after the treatment, with no way to remedy the problem as the insulation can not be removed.

I've lived in a damp house before and it was awful. My current house is 15 years old, usually a bit cold and draughty downstairs due to the cat flaps either side of the house which let the wind whistle through, but it hasn't got a trace of damp anywhere even though I dry all the washing indoors.

I'm reluctant to commit myself to insulation in case the house gets damp, even though I know it's ecologically sound to do it. I could dither a couple more years until I retire of course .... think I'll be too skint then to refuse it!

We paid £150 to have our 3-bed semi cavity insulated. This was through our Enegry Supplier.
The installers were accredited with the relevant standards and as such we have a certificate and guarantee. Just can't remember the name of the standard.

Anyway to the point. The only problem we have had is that we get a fair bit of Condensation on the inside of our double glazed window. We got our local double glazing company out to check it out (as we thought the window seals had failed) and he said that the windows were working properly and that the house was too well insulated.

He suggested we add trickle vents to each of the windows to allow the air to flow in and out to stop the condensation (trickle vents are required now on new builds because they are better insulated)



If I understand it right you get damp because water is rising through he property from underneath. Therefore you need damp proof course putting in on the first few layers of brick.
Or there is water coming in from the outside, through a leaking drain or something.

Cavity Insulation should not cause any damp problems unless you have very, very bad condensation forming on the windows and never mop it up.

morganb

have been meaning to post for a while; Tesco's have done the loft insulation, did a fantastic job, very quick tidy and efficient and the heating is much more efficient too! Really pleased, a job well done (obviuosly they contract out to local insulation companies; can't fault them at all AND I get the clubcard points too!!!)

g.dallowelder

do i have to leave a space around inset lights when insulating loft or insulate over them

MinaB

As a general rule, don't insulate over the top or the lights may overheat (although some modern fittings are now supposed to push heat down rather than up through the ceiling and you might be okay if they're mains rather than low voltage, ie. with a transformer).

In our loft we've used cheapie ceramic flowerpots (with hole in top) to keep the insulation away from the lights. In the past we've also used inexpensive buckets cut in half and with the bottoms cut out as 'rings' round the lights.

Hope this helps.

stec00

Anyone know if you can get cashback through quidco on either of these deals (someone mentioned it in an early post). Guess might be possible with B&Q as it says 6% "for sales" but not with Tesco as it's not the main Tesco site... anyone successfully tracked yet?

Cheers
Steve

dee60_2

I work for a company that does cavity wall and loft insulation. The c/w costs £149 and the loft £179 for an average size property.
Many councils have cashback shemes so it's best to check with them first some offer as much as £100 cashback so it'll only cost you £49.

If you have an 'SR' postcode it costs £150 each.

If there is anyone in the household over the age of 70 or on benefits the work is carried out for free, the household income has to be £15,592 or less to qualify. Proof of age, benefit and residency is required.

Council houses can be insulated but you need permission from the council for this to be done.

As already mentioned check various companies and don't go paying £198 to Tesco they are taking their cut!!

Regards
Dee

superstylin

I've just moved into a flat which is 2nd floor in a 50's built building. Is there any possibility of cavity insulation in there? it has a cavity but I'm assuming the cavity runs from ground to 2nd and I don't wanna pay to insulate the whole building! Also we have air vents in some of the walls will this put a stop to cavity work?

Russell_Smith_2

I have reduced the energy consumption by just over 70% in my home, mainly by insulating. It is the best and cheapest place to start, alongside draughtproofing.

My house does not have cavities and the loft was converted at the same time, so this was harder but not impossible. I've got some summaries of the work I did at:
http://www.parityprojects.com/demo-project.htm

Hope it helps

Russell

silvercar

Just had a surveyor from one of these insulation companies. With the grants, I have to £219 for loft insulation, up from the £199 quote on the phone as I have 4 sq metres more space than the standard grant. Seems a good deal as I have only 2 inches insulation at the moment in the main roof area and 4-6 inches in the extension.

Can't have cavity wall insulation as I've got solid walls in the main part.