Super specific kitchen insulation question

Section62

mdori003 said:

The first thing to do is to find out whether the pipes below the floorboards are properly insulated, and if not, find a way of insulating them to a level which is appropriate for the level of cold they are exposed to.

Thanks for this. Given the draft is more annoying than anything else I'll do as you suggest and get a plumber to take a look before trying anything, the risk/benefit ratio seems pretty clear. 

You won't need a plumber to work out whether the pipes have been insulated and to insulate them if not.  To begin with you need to find out if there is any access to the underfloor void - one approach would be to use a USB 'drain' camera (Borescope) to look through those holes in the floor, or through one of the air bricks.

Also, if you have a cupboard under the stairs then check the floor of that - it is fairly common for some floorboards to be removable there, especially if that's where your gas/electric services come into the house.

FreeBear

Section62 said: one approach would be to use a USB 'drain' camera (Borescope) to look through those holes in the floor, or through one of the air bricks.

For £7-10 from the likes of ebay or Amazon, they are worth having. You can get models that plug in to a phone with an app.

Got one myself, and find it useful for sticking in to all sorts of little spaces (no, not there....).

mdori003

Just by way of update - I bought a cheap one which didn't work but have good a slightly better one for 30 quid and am very impressed. All I've established is that there hole is quite large around the pipes but I'll need to have a proper run at it when the kids aren't about but it is daylight to properly orientate it. Very cool piece of kit!