Wall insulation - not done properly - rectification is problematic (British Gas)!

anotherdollar

I have purchased a house that has had the walls insulated by British Gas with a 25 year guarantee. I suspected there was a problem with the insulation because the house suffered with mildew\condensation patches on some of the exterior walls (naturally on the inside). The problem was confirmed when I removed a window. On removing the window this exposed the cavity and it was obvious that in some areas had only a third of the wall was filled with insulation. There were lots of large void areas,which would cause cold patches that can cause condensation & mildew issues! I took photos before the window went back in & I took photos of the condensation\mildew problems before the walls were replastered. I am currently renovating the house.

I phoned British Gas and somone came to inspect the problem and the inspector agreed to send someone round to blow out the walls and to refill them. He said it was best to assume the whole house had not been done properly. No real apology was offered or any offer of compensation; even though it should have been done properly the first time!

To make the matter worse, the workmen who were sent decided only refill two thirds of my walls. God know why! I knew they hadn't done a third of the house, because I could not find any wet concrete for the drill holes. Without drilling any holes, he claimed that the remaining walls were definitely filled since he is highly experienced. I clearly was not happy and I asked how he could knew without drilling and using a camera. The workmen did a token check of a refill of the remaining walls. My dad and me saw that none of the insulation was going through the pipe when they were doing this token gesture of a refill.

They left leaving their mess behind and I decided to send a letter of complaint. I waited over a month for a response and I finally received phone call after sending an email requesting a reply. The person who phoned said they would send someone out to put a camera in the walls that the men didn't want to do. This inspection proved that these walls had not been filled properly and there were void areas. This was 2 weeks ago and I have had no phone call to tell me what they intend to do about it! What should I do, since I have no confidence that any of it has been done properly? I am thinking about demanding the following:

1) I want the whole house to be blown through and refilled.
2) I want to be compensated for the inconvenience of having British Gas round for the 3rd time when it should have been done properly on the first visit.
3) I think the compensation\mildew problem on some of my interior walls was caused by the poor insulation, so I should be compensated for the damage caused.

Am I being unreasonable? Would it be better if I get a solicitor to write a letter?

I am tempted to get my walls independenly checked once they claimed to have rectified the problem!

ROY47

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

have a read there

Worst thing I ever had done cavity wall insulation

I have had condensation problems inside the house over the last few wetter winters .

A relative of mine who is a damn good builder said to me ..............

It's now like living in a sealed box . Where do you think the damp warm air is going to go now ?

The cavity used to let the walls breathe .

Furts

ROY47 wrote: »

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

have a read there

Worst thing I ever had done cavity wall insulation

I have had condensation problems inside the house over the last few wetter winters .

A relative of mine who is a damn good builder said to me ..............

It's now like living in a sealed box . Where do you think the damp warm air is going to go now ?

The cavity used to let the walls breathe .

I challenge this comment. The modern poly beads have air spaces all around them, so they breath, and they are free draining should water get in the cavity. I know this, for I have played with the product. ( I know, get a life may be the response, but I was curious and wanted to gain knowledge).

Most people do not rely on their cavity walls breathing to prevent condensation. This is because they have sealed the inside face of the wall with vinyl emulsion. This has limited ability to allow moisture to pass through, and more so if it is vinyl silk.

My house is cavity insulated and the company that did the work, Domestic and General, are an unmitigated disaster zone. Trying to get anyone, anywhere, to do anything about defects is nigh on impossible. Unfortunately this is a cowboy industry with cowboy operatives. The chief cowboys operate out of the energy company offices - insulation is something foisted on them by the Government. It is not part of their core business, and they are doing it under duress. They could not care less if it all goes t-ts up, and this is reflected in the Goverment imposing a fine on British Gas in recent weeks.

Back to OP. It is my professional judgement that there is more chance of you walking on the moon than there is of receiving compensation from British Gas.

anotherdollar

Furts wrote: »

My house is cavity insulated and the company that did the work, Domestic and General, are an unmitigated disaster zone. Trying to get anyone, anywhere, to do anything about defects is nigh on impossible. .

It is terrible that the problems I am facing is not unusual. I have sent another email of complaint to British Gas requesting that they come and rectify the poor workmanship. I have requested compensation for the inconvenience caused, since the problems should have been rectified during the second visit. The 3rd visit is unacceptable! God knows when they will phone to tell me when the 3rd visit will take place! Obviously I will have to take another half day off work!

Furts

anotherdollar wrote: »

It is terrible that the problems I am facing is not unusual. I have sent another email of complaint to British Gas requesting that they come and rectify the poor workmanship. I have requested compensation for the inconvenience caused, since the problems should have been rectified during the second visit. The 3rd visit is unacceptable! God knows when they will phone to tell me when the 3rd visit will take place! Obviously I will have to take another half day off work!

If you look at your CIGA guarantee it might be that British Gas used a sub contractor. I am aware that they have their own teams of installers, but in my part of the UK this only started a year, or two, ago.

Your CIGA guarantee should be transferrable - but check that yours reads as such.

If I have understood your post correctly, the installation was before you purchased your home. If so, there is no contract between you and British Gas, so you cannot expect compensation from them. Further, if this is the case, you should be taking up matters with CIGA.

I rate CIGA as almost useless. I have had professional dealings with them, and believe all the staff should be sacked for gross incompetence. Unfortunately the 25 year guarantee means they can all hold onto their positions for years without being accountable to consumers. Provided the light is seen to be on in their office, they are happy to draw their salaries. It is a battle to get any of them to do anything, but it is better to try and get them on your side.