Retro-fit cavity wall insulation

Credit-Crunched

Useful info above, I have requested a call out from BG, as I was due to lay loft insulation, and MSE guided me to the free option from BG.

So free loft insulation seems like a no brainer.

My concern is with the CWI, I live in sunny old (West) wales and our Gable end wall is pretty exposed, as in it has houses around, but when the wind is driving it takes quite a hammering.

Our house is a 1930's semi with the external render in an acceptable condition.

My concerns are, we lose a lot of heat to that external wall, but conversely, I would rather lose heat than have damp.

What are peoples thoughts?

Smiley_Dan

Furts wrote: »

The problem here is the CWI industry is manned by con men, spivs, and charlatans from the top right down to the monkeys on the end of the injection hoses. This has never changed so I do not hold out hopes for the future unless the Government brings in regulation. On this pigs are more likely to fly first.

I don't disagree!

ManuelG

Smiley_Dan wrote: »

Your house most likely is broke, most houses are. It feels warm now - that's great, but that's only because you're burning enough fuel to make it so. The trouble is 99% of the housing stock leaks too much heat, and we're going to have to fix it. If you have cavity walls, that will involve filling them at some point, plus the addition of more insulation.

Well, by not broke I mean it's not damp...

And after years of living in damp places, this is something I celebrate!

As for the heating, we may have had an abnormally warm winter, but it's barely on at the moment, and the heating bills are the lowest of anywhere I've lived. So while I'm sure all things are relative, and I'm comparing to a poor benchmark, I'm constantly amazed how little energy I used.

So, while I'm sure cavity wall insulation would make low even lower, I'm not sure the risk of affecting what seems to be solid and dry walls with no issues is worth the (small) gain.

Furts

ManuelG wrote: »

Well, by not broke I mean it's not damp...

And after years of living in damp places, this is something I celebrate!

As for the heating, we may have had an abnormally warm winter, but it's barely on at the moment, and the heating bills are the lowest of anywhere I've lived. So while I'm sure all things are relative, and I'm comparing to a poor benchmark, I'm constantly amazed how little energy I used.

So, while I'm sure cavity wall insulation would make low even lower, I'm not sure the risk of affecting what seems to be solid and dry walls with no issues is worth the (small) gain.

I, and I suspect a few others, would be interested to know when your home was built and what construction it has. Please come back and enlighten us. We might then be able to stab at why your energy bills are low.

To an extent regardless of construction, if the home is a semi, or terraced, or sheltered, or in an urban area the bills will be lower than other homes.

Furts

Credit-Crunched wrote: »

Useful info above, I have requested a call out from BG, as I was due to lay loft insulation, and MSE guided me to the free option from BG.

So free loft insulation seems like a no brainer.

My concern is with the CWI, I live in sunny old (West) wales and our Gable end wall is pretty exposed, as in it has houses around, but when the wind is driving it takes quite a hammering.

Our house is a 1930's semi with the external render in an acceptable condition.

My concerns are, we lose a lot of heat to that external wall, but conversely, I would rather lose heat than have damp.

What are peoples thoughts?

The technical answer is, anywhere west of Cardiff and Brecon (to give a line on a map) is a definite no go for CWI. An exception is a narrow coastal band just around Cardiff and towards the Mumbles - here it is more sheltered.

Compounding the issue you have render which exacerbates matters and creates more of a no go.

Further compounding the issue you have old render.

If you come back and say "your" West Wales comes within the areas of Severe Frost Attack then you are dicing with serious issues. This depends on your individual postcode, which I do not have. However my alarm bells are ringing and so should yours!

ManuelG

Furts wrote: »

I, and I suspect a few others, would be interested to know when your home was built and what construction it has. Please come back and enlighten us. We might then be able to stab at why your energy bills are low.

To an extent regardless of construction, if the home is a semi, or terraced, or sheltered, or in an urban area the bills will be lower than other homes.

1990s build date. I do appreciate that, growing up in a house 150 years older, the comparison is a little unfair!

Forgive the naive question, but 'what construction' do you mean... brick and breezeblock? Interestingly (or otherwise) the EPC on the property says 'cavity wall, as built. Insulated (assumed)'.

And yes it's end of terrace (although next door moved out a couple of months ago, am awaiting with trepidation who they rent it to!)

Furts

ManuelG wrote: »

1990s build date. I do appreciate that, growing up in a house 150 years older, the comparison is a little unfair!

Forgive the naive question, but 'what construction' do you mean... brick and breezeblock? Interestingly (or otherwise) the EPC on the property says 'cavity wall, as built. Insulated (assumed)'.

And yes it's end of terrace (although next door moved out a couple of months ago, am awaiting with trepidation who they rent it to!)

Your house is warm - you admit this. Regulations were progressing in the 1990s, and some national builders houses circa 1993/4 were ahead of the game, pumping in CWI and well insulated. Even by 1997 Barratt (one of the least reputable builders) were cavity insulating albeit of dubious quality. Other builders such as Taywood were pumping in CWI by this time.

Hence your house may have insulation built in which, of course, makes it totally unsuitable for CWI. But that is no surprise, and there is a likelihood that all your neighbours with CWI have be scammed!

In the interests of a balanced argument you could ask various neighbours what cavity wall investigations were undertaken before CWI was installed. But I suspect the answer will be none.

ManuelG

Furts wrote: »

In the interests of a balanced argument you could ask various neighbours what cavity wall investigations were undertaken before CWI was installed. But I suspect the answer will be none.

That would probably be a sensible thing to do... and obvious, but needed pointing out

It comes down to, probably, if someone offers something for free, it's hard not to take it up. Do wonder why the previous owners were one of the fw on this estate not to, however. That in itself raises questions about what made them decide not to follow the crowd.

Credit-Crunched

Furts wrote: »

The technical answer is, anywhere west of Cardiff and Brecon (to give a line on a map) is a definite no go for CWI. An exception is a narrow coastal band just around Cardiff and towards the Mumbles - here it is more sheltered.

Compounding the issue you have render which exacerbates matters and creates more of a no go.

Further compounding the issue you have old render.

If you come back and say "your" West Wales comes within the areas of Severe Frost Attack then you are dicing with serious issues. This depends on your individual postcode, which I do not have. However my alarm bells are ringing and so should yours!

Thank you for your detailed and informed answer, it re affirms my concerns!

FYI post cose SA4

Furts

Credit-Crunched wrote: »

Thank you for your detailed and informed answer, it re affirms my concerns!

FYI post cose SA4

A quick check, without registering for updates, shows SA4 to be OK for Frost but well within the Very Severe Exposure to wind driven rain. This will explain your home being rendered - back in the 1930s builders were more skilled than now. Indeed you may have three coat render to resist the rain, and perhaps more recessed windows or checked rebates, greater roof overhang or window cill details...

I would not advise CWI on your home unless a careful risk analysis was undertaken and a proper survey undertaken.