Loft insulation: any dangers or disadvantages?

Laurence_WMF

Are there any? A friend has told me of pipes bursting in a neighbour's recently insulated loft. My friend says that plumbers are wary of the new thick insulation. Perhaps the insulation makes the loft itself dangerously cold?

I've received a leaflet from 'Zero Carbon UK' offering free loft insulation before 1 May. Are there hidden catches? Should I reserach the market before opting for this company (if I decide to have it done at all)?

What are your roof insulation expereinces?

Thanks,
Laurence

spadoosh

Cant think of any disadvantages. As for dangers, if you have recessed spotlights they will need a space for airflow around the fittings. These can be bought from diy shops or homemade.

It would be unlikely the pipe burst was down to loft insulation, pipes are normally between the joists in an attic and insulation sits on top and around pipework. Also pipe lagging is also normally offered with the loft insulation negating the possibility of cold pipes. I imagine plumbers dont like insulation because it makes it a littl more difficult to access the pipe and rockwool is quite itchy if you dont have thick clothes n gloves on. That and they complain about everything.

My experiences of having our loft insulated were good. We had british gas do it for us (foc) through a contractor. They had it done in a couple of hours leaving no mess. they even attached latches to the loft hatch and like i said lagged the pipes. Minor downside, they topped it up to minimum requirements (270mm i think) which has left the insulation on top of the joists so if i want to use the loft for storage ill have to remove some of it or put floorboards on stilts Worth thinking about before having it installed.

If your not sure about a company try your energy supplier, most will normally heavily subsidise or offer it free to certain people. We also got cavity wall insulation.

Laurence_WMF

^ Excellent advice, Spadoosh; thanks very much.

Anyone else?

27col

I have two problems with the OP's post.
1)I find it incredible that, in this day and age, the loft is not already insulated.
2)There is no chance of frost damage to water pipes, provided that they are insulated at the same time.
If the pipes have not frozen before the addition of loft insulation, it is because the excessive heat loss through the uninsulated loft floor was keeping the pipes above freezing.
If there is a water tank in the roof then it is a good plan to leave a small area under the tank uninsulated to help prevent the tank from freezing.
Any water pipes at low level in the loft can be put under the new insulation, but it is always a good idea to insulate the pipes separately.
But in any event the tank should be encased in a tank jacket also.
So just get the job done ASAP.

phill99

Laurence_WMF wrote: »

Perhaps the insulation makes the loft itself dangerously cold?

Thats what it is supposed to do.

Gloomendoom

Most loft insulation companies worth their salt will insulate all tanks and pipes as a matter of course.

Just make sure Zero Carbon are intending to do it properly before you sign on the dotted line.

SailorSam

My loft was already fully insulated but twice now i've been to B&Q when they've had it on offer for £1 a roll and topped it up myself, the only problem was i'm a terrible hoarder and the loft was full of rubbish that needed moving.
I think the £1 a roll thing is subsidised by the power companies and i'm sure i read somewhere that they are stopping it this year,
One small point, not really a disadvantage you've got to remember not to push the insulation right into the eaves, you need a little ventilation up there.

Carolyn_USEA

SailorSam is right, the funding supplied by the Energy Companies which subsidises the cost of DIY loft insulation (CERT funding) is coming to an end this year. It is possible that the government may choose to extend the CERT programme into next year but looks unlikely, so take advantage while it's available!