Exterior Wall Tiles - temporary removal?

StinkerPinker

Our house has areas of exposed brick wall, one ground floor section covered with white-painted render, and considerable areas of exterior hung tiles over the upper storey.

I'm now thinking seriously about getting some cavity wall insulation but I believe the contractors simply ignore areas of wall obscured by hung tiles. Is that right?

Would it be considered reasonable or barking mad to get a local builder to remove these tiles just before "insulation day", letting the contractors get at those areas of wall, rehanging immediately afterwards and thereby ensuring the whole house is properly insulated?

What does the board think?

sp.

ormus

you have no idea what is behind those tiles until you remove them. its nothing like a cavity wall.
you certainly would not blow fibre into the/any space behind them.

StinkerPinker

I sort of assumed they were merely decorative. For example, on one side wall with no windows we have the chimney jutting out all the way up. To one side of this is plain brick wall, and on the other the upper floor carries these tiles.

I just can't see why three quarters of the wall should be of the cavity construction and the other quarter some more exotic method. It seems pointless (not to mention expensive for the original builder). But if the tiles were just for visual effect - that I could understand. And if just visual, wouldn't there be a normal wall leaf behind them, and then the cavity?

Perhaps I should get a surveyor to have a squint? Would it be a surveyor, or some other sort of professional?

sp.

StinkerPinker

ormus, andrew-b - thanks for your replies. I have clicked your "thanks" buttons. I shall check out the window recess depths.

sp.

mikey72

There may even be a cavity, but it's usually a smaller than normal cavity between the walls.
Also the wall is made from blocks, not bricks.
Ours are a hollow block, sort of figure of eight as you look down on them, and can't be insulated.