Any grants available to non benefit claimer

Richie-from-the-Boro

Many of retro fill cavities in homes built before the 80's were filled with 'blown' mineral-wool fibre, it soaks up water quicker than a kitchen roll. Because its blown and not 'batts' it leaves no air gap and the moisture is able to 'wick' across [PollySouthend wall ties issue] into the dwelling - usually seen as black mould on the inside walls.

There are also issues with bonded beads, blown foam etc. The best thermal wall insulation is outside / inside but unless you are prepared to pay for it, its never going to happen GOV and taxpayers are never going to pay or even subsidise this very expensive treatment across the whole of the UK. All in all if I had no cavity insulation and it was offered free I'd take it [research the types & warranties] at the drop of a hat.

wizard5353

matelodave wrote: »

I'm in my third house with CWI (cavity wall insulation) and in all three cases it has made a difference to my energy bills by reducing them, improved the comfort of all the houses and has never caused either damp or rotting problems, I can say the same for both my Mum & MIL so I'm afraid that Polly is talking b-ll-x again.

I can't understand some of the strange ideas she's gets. All I can say is that she must be very gullible to read and believe some of the rubbish she spouts

Are you in the construction trade or a structural engineer?I've been out to three houses in the last month that have had majorcondensation problems caused by the insulation of CWI. Polly is partly correctin stating that CWI can cause condensation related damp but the geographicallocation of the property has no bearing on this.



In one case the air bricks had been totally clogged and intwo others there was no venting fitted at all. CWI is a good idea and worthdoing but you must ensure the house is correctly ventilated. This can easily bedone by getting air bricks installed or by fitting modern ventilated double glazingunits. You can see by the latest edition of Part F building regulations the newglazing units need to be vented to confirm to latest regulations. This is downto the increase in insulation in houses that is causing condensation. Go readup on them before abusing people here.

matelodave

PollySouthend wrote: »

CWI is very expensive when it goes wrong. I'm looking at close to 4k to repair the damage done by it.

Just because you've got a problem doesn't mean it's rubbish - it works well for most people if it's installed properly.

And as said above, I don't actually live in Cambridge but outside Ely in fenland where I can see the horizon in all four directions and I can assure you that when the wind blows and the rain rains it very wet and miserable here. I previously lived in Burnham on Crouch with a view that stretched as far as Kent (you could see the Isle of Grain power station chimney) and it could be everso draughty there as well.

[Deleted User]

PollySouthend wrote: »

The energy ratings of houses is one big big con.

You need to research very carefully before you get CWI, I would NEVER get it done. The cavity is there for a reason. Plenty of cowboys are going and filling it in because of all the "free" public money thrown at them. Causing chronic damp and rotting problems while the cowboys ride away into the sunset refusing to take the blame

My dh was a structural engineer and many times had to deal with cwi that was causing problems. Advice is to go with blown cavity insulation that can be sucked out if necessary. Any good co will do a cavity examination first anyway.

PollySouthend

sheffield_lad wrote: »

Hi have you tried CIGA guarantee?

I must have visited/surveyed over 6 thousand installations of CWI and rarely come across any issues. In the vast majority of cases the pro's far out weigh the cons.

Yes tried them, they are very toothless. They will be out to survey shortly and no doubt they will order the company to remove them. But this could take months and leave me with a very damp house.

Very unlikely they will pay towards the hundreds i've already spent on dehumidifiers, running them, people out to look at the roof, gutters and drains. Nor will they pay towards replacing the rotten joists, re-plastering and decorating. But thats something I will deal with once I get the stupid stuff out.

Its a wet blanket wrapped around my house leaching water in.

Many many many people have problems with retro fitted CWI, it won't show up on surveys unless they drill into the house and look with a camera.

PollySouthend

wizard5353 wrote: »

Are you in the construction trade or a structural engineer?I've been out to three houses in the last month that have had majorcondensation problems caused by the insulation of CWI. Polly is partly correctin stating that CWI can cause condensation related damp but the geographicallocation of the property has no bearing on this.



In one case the air bricks had been totally clogged and intwo others there was no venting fitted at all. CWI is a good idea and worthdoing but you must ensure the house is correctly ventilated. This can easily bedone by getting air bricks installed or by fitting modern ventilated double glazingunits. You can see by the latest edition of Part F building regulations the newglazing units need to be vented to confirm to latest regulations. This is downto the increase in insulation in houses that is causing condensation. Go readup on them before abusing people here.

Thanks good advice.

Some of the other peoples ill informed views on CWI insulation just show their total ignorance with construction and engineering. I've had several builders and surveyors round, they all within a few mins have said the problem is the retro fitted CWI and that it's very common.

Some of the views around here are as ignorant as "your stupid! nut allergies do not exist, me and my mum have been eating them for years"..

sheffield_lad

PollySouthend wrote: »

Thanks good advice.

Some of the other peoples ill informed views on CWI insulation just show their total ignorance with construction and engineering. I've had several builders and surveyors round, they all within a few mins have said the problem is the retro fitted CWI and that it's very common.

You have to look at the overall picture for 95% of people CWI will save them thousands over it's lifetime and make the homes more comfortable. Any decent installer should check air bricks & or the cavity for issues and only install if the property is not exposed to driving rain.

Properties right up to 2003 could have been built or retro fitted with lose insulation (mine was built in 1999 and has rockwool inside it), like many others I have no issues.

Another big factor is how we use the homes. I found damp in a roof room yesterday when the owner had never had condensation issues before, I found that she had recently started to dry towels on the landing which was the cause. Cookers with no external extractor is another problem. With modern windows trickle vents should allow for an air change every 3/4hrs which should resolve condensation issues within homes even breathing produces condensation (think windows in a bedroom first thing), leaving a window slightly open during the night can often prevent condensation in this instance.

PollySouthend

sheffield_lad wrote: »

You have to look at the overall picture for 95% of people CWI will save them thousands over it's lifetime and make the homes more comfortable. Any decent installer should check air bricks & or the cavity for issues and only install if the property is not exposed to driving rain.

Properties right up to 2003 could have been built or retro fitted with lose insulation (mine was built in 1999 and has rockwool inside it), like many others I have no issues.

Another big factor is how we use the homes. I found damp in a roof room yesterday when the owner had never had condensation issues before, I found that she had recently started to dry towels on the landing which was the cause. Cookers with no external extractor is another problem. With modern windows trickle vents should allow for an air change every 3/4hrs which should resolve condensation issues within homes even breathing produces condensation (think windows in a bedroom first thing), leaving a window slightly open during the night can often prevent condensation in this instance.

No one knows what % of homes have issues with CWI, its something the industry refuses to even accept is a problem.

Cavity walls were invented in coastal regions around 1900 as a way to stop water from penetrating the house. Therefore it does seam stupid to fill this gap with highly absorbent material mostly paid by tax payers.

I think the EU has tougher regulation on the tests before CWI is done since 2010. Mine was fitted before that and all the local tradesmen I've had around point the problem to the CWI and say it is common in the area and lots of people have had to get it out. The problem is it takes several years from the install before problems are present. Homes build in the last 20 years are a different kettle of fish as they have insulation but still have a cavity.

Anyone living in the west, ie in zones 3-4, should not have it done if their house is exposed http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/cavity-wall-insulation/cavity-wall-insulation-damp-problems/

Andy_WSM

Just to redress the balance. Having cavity insulation fitted on my 1970s bungalow not only helps with heat retention and made a noticeable difference to the bills, but it cured a condensation mould problem in both of the bedrooms.

PollySouthend

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Just to redress the balance. Having cavity insulation fitted on my 1970s bungalow not only helps with heat retention and made a noticeable difference to the bills, but it cured a condensation mould problem in both of the bedrooms.

What type did you have? Is your house sheltered?

How did it stop the mould? Mine is causing mould by leaching water into the house where it condences