Draught coming from behind Phone socket

Nuggy96

Hi All,

Recently moved into a new build home which is a timber framed house. The house has a draught coming through the phone socket and is quite significant when you lift the flap. Someone came to look at it and when they took the front plate out found that the metal boxing behind had slipped down and that there was quite a big draught inside the wall behind the boxing. I don't see anything on the outside of the house. I assume there shouldn't be a draught in the wall. Does any one have any ideas why and what is causing the draught?

Thanks,

princeofpounds

There can be some airflow in cavity walls. They have weep vents.

But it's also possible that something hasn't been done properly, for example not sealing them at the top so they are open to the attic space (which will have airflow through vents).

ProDave

As an electrician I see this a LOT.  It is a sign of the appalling standard of construction of a LOT of UK housing.

Basically it shows that little or no care has been taken in the construction of the property, and the cavity behind the plasterboard is open to cold parts of the house, usually the loft, allowing cold air in bypassing the insulation that is there to keep it out.

There is no easy fix, the leaks will be multiple, hard to find and hard to fix.  It is endemic of an industry that either does not care or does not understand how to properly build houses to be energy efficient.

The only way I know to guard against this is build your own house like I have, do all the istalllation of insulation and air tightness detailing yourself so you know it has been done right and with care and attention to detail.  There are no draughts in my house at all and I bet my heating bills are lower than most of you,

googler

WIthout disturbing the cable, retrieve the box, and before fitting it back in place, put some insulation around it. 

Or; 

Pay someone else to do it
Get the builder back to do it.

The option you take will depend on how quickly you want it done, and whether you want to know if it's been done properly

NameUnavailable

I'd be looking to see if this is covered by the g'tee and getting the builders to rectify it.

theartfullodger

Plaster over socket, use mobile instead, the way of the future, can be cheaper and (internet) quicker.  E.g. 50% faster where I live.