Can cavity wall insulation cause dampness?

Leif

iamcornholio wrote: »

CWI can highlight an existing condensation problem

You need to be clear whether this "damp" is penetrating or condensation

Good point. Has the OP changed lifestyle e.g. drying damp clothes indoors, or having more baths, with lots of steam escaping from the bathroom?

Therese1

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

No pipes near the patches and no obvious gutter problems. The two areas are on the stairs wall - one half way up and another above the door - so not near the roof (which is fine, not long been checked after high winds).

Condensation - I don't think this is what it is - the house has open vents in all dg windows, I open the bathroom window when the shower is on and an upstairs window is always opened at night. All clothes drying is either out the back or in conservatory with the windows open.

Cond v damp? - the marks seem to be coming through rather than wet on the inside. The marks on the cornicing are emerging from top and bottom and then spreading to the middle.

I like the idea of the thermal imaging but phoned two companies this morning and both say they don't do it anymore - not viable? Im in Scotland, any recommendations? How much does it cost - and will I get it done before or after the insulators come back in March?

Should I ask them what type of insulation they use? Can they change from one to another now that they are "topping up" (their words)? Which is best?

Sorry, so many questions! But thanks for all your help :T

Therese1

I've managed to get a thermal imaging survey sorted but would appreciated any advice on the damp -v- condensation ideas/solutions.

ta much:)

anotherbaldrick

suggested reading.
http://www.premier-heritage.co.uk/2009/08/cavity-wall-insulation-what-are-the-benefits/

verydeeppockets

As you're in Scotland, if it's particularly wet n windy where you are, and your walls are badly exposed to the weather (top of a hill etc) there's a strong argument for not having cwi fitted as it can get very damp and 'wick' the moisture across the cavity.
A 1930's cavity (only 50mm if that) with additional render - does sound like it might not like cwi much.

Therese1

verydeeppockets wrote: »

As you're in Scotland, if it's particularly wet n windy where you are, and your walls are badly exposed to the weather (top of a hill etc) there's a strong argument for not having cwi fitted as it can get very damp and 'wick' the moisture across the cavity.
A 1930's cavity (only 50mm if that) with additional render - does sound like it might not like cwi much.

Ha! Do you have googlemaps on me?! Yes in Scotland on top of a hill and the gable gets all the weather!! Not liking that I now have a great damp wick hugging my home!! Is there a solution now?? Presume it can't be removed?? Oops! Help:(

Leif

I read somewhere that in some areas where it is wet and windy CWI is not recommended, as the earlier post implies. I am sure if you Google you can find details.

verydeeppockets

Therese1 wrote: »

Ha! Do you have googlemaps on me?! Yes in Scotland on top of a hill and the gable gets all the weather!! Not liking that I now have a great damp wick hugging my home!! Is there a solution now?? Presume it can't be removed?? Oops! Help:(

Don't panic, I'm not a stalker mwahahahaha - you said you were north of the border. Honest
Sounds like somebody messed up - they should have advised against cwi, but it's a subjective thing I suppose - you'd get 'experts' arguing both ways.
Yes, it can be removed if it's blown-in fibres or the beads.

iamcornholio

Full-fill wall insulation is not recommended for certain parts of the UK with high exposure, and also the wall finish (ie material and pointing) together with the cavity width must be taken into account

Most of the west side of Scotland up to midway across is classed as severe, as is the southern uplands. Tops of hills anywhere may also be classed as severe

The risk in severe exposure areas is that the insulation gets saturated and compacts or holds moisture for too long

If it has been installed into an unsuitable property then there is a claim against the installer, but as mentioned previously you need to determine exactly what is causing this, as condensation issues are likely and risk can increase after CWI

Therese1

Fantastic!!...:).I'm in a house on top of a hill in West Central Scotland...AND I have cwi !!!! Now I really don't want them back to refill it!

Interesting though that they haven't discussed why they are coming back to refill .... I'm thinking that that's an admission of some liability huh!? They haven't discussed any other reasons for the damp. They certainly never highlighted any potential problems when they installed way back.

However I now have a problem and not 100% sure of my solution. Yes I'm thinking removal but dunno if that's possible cos dunno what it made up of. Also need dried out and redecorated! Think I need to pin someone down in their office to discuss this further.:eek: