Replacing insulation due to re-wiring and plumbing - can I apply for a grant?

shabbarank5

Hi all...

We've recently bought a place which needs practically gutting and re-wiring and we are also installing central heating which requires quite a lot of time working in the loft for the pipes etc. It currently has a load of insulation which I think has been done using a grant scheme (cant be sure but it was an old lady who owned the place before us).

Im in two minds between removing the whole lot so I can get up there and work easily or just attempting to move it about. It would be a lot easier removing it and then replacing it as there's just sooooo much there. Tried to bag it up, but as you may well know it'll never go down the way it was previously.

So Im on here to get some advice, if I was to apply for the grant scheme to get the work redone would they know if its been done previously? Do I just apply for it and see what happens? Would most of you do as I am thinking of doing and taking it all down and then starting again?

It seems such a waste but the time it's gonna save just to take it down seems the better option.

Answers on a post card or even better on here would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

fluffpot

Loft insulation isn't that expensive - many of the DIY places have special 3 for 2 or even 3 for 1 offers on.

keystone

If it wasn't for the fact that you are a noob I'd be thinking that the question is a windup.

Concur with fluff.

Cheers

27col

Complete waste of time to remove it. It is very difficult to dispose of fibreglass insulation as it won't burn. Leave it up there and add to it afterwards if you need to.
When I built my house I had to demolish the existing one so I stored the old insulation and put it back in the roof when the new house was finished. Then topped it up as necessary. It has been topped up again since to 240mm or so.

shabbarank5

I wouldnt say its a waste of time removing it - trying to work up there with it in the way is a proper pain. It never goes back down the way it was before, as it tears and splits. I thought that I could take it down the dump - the stuff which isnt any good anyway? I have been trying to perserve it when removing it by rolling it up and putting it in bags, but as I said initially its time I could be using getting the job done.

As for the cost of insulation - I did notice it was cheap. But if I can get it re-done on one of these grant schemes then I would have thought that made more sense? Ive put enough money into society why not get something back for a change?

Thanks for your replies - and no its not a wind up.

27col

I was an electrician before I retired and working around roof insulation was never much of a problem. You don't need to be crawling all over the roof, you are only working in a few specific areas. So what if it gets torn, it will still go back and work as it is supposed to.
I think that you are making up a problem that does not exist.
Best of luck with your efforts at sponging off some free grant scheme or other when it is not necessary..

shabbarank5

I think if you saw what I have then your opinion would change some. There is no way its practical working around all that insulation - you may have to see it to believe it but there is tones of the stuff.

And you say you were an electrician - Im no electrician but unless you know the layout of the wires (ring, lights, etc etc) and this bungalow is old, then you are crawling around trying to find the routes the wires have been run in. And then there's the pipe work for the central heating - this place was night storage heaters prior to us having it. So again the practicality of lifting and shifting all the insulation just doesnt make sense. Out with the old is much much easier, so its not that I am sponging some free grant scheme. Its that I am attempting to take the most practical approach.

So I suggest unless you have anything practical\positive to say you keep your opinions to yourself.

savemoney

When I had a grant done just over 4 years ago they kept the old insulation and top it up with new insulation.