Wall insulation

MouldyOldDough

We are about 1/4 of the way through getting an extension built on our house

The walls are virtually up but the cavity wall insulation (panels of high density foam) are clearly getting wet.

The sub contractor brickies did not cover the wall tops with plastic..... or does this not really matter ?

Also - the previously used rainwater downpipe has not been diverted and gallons of water floods on to the foundations (concrete beams) - which seems wrong to me - or will it dry out quickly ?

Anybody got any comments ?

stuart45

I always cover the walls when rain is due. I don't like the face work getting soaked as well. The cavities will dry out though, and on big sites are often left exposed. When people have been working mainly on big sites, they often need to adjust their working methods to the private sector.
Kingspan/Celotex will tell you that it should be stored to keep dry though. You can't always avoid getting it a bit wet.

grumbler

There are two types of hard foam - open-cell and closed-cell. The former absorbs water very eagerly and in big amounts. Most likely, this type isn't used for cavity insulation panels, but I'm not sure.

stuart45

grumbler said:

There are two types of hard foam - open-cell and closed-cell. The former absorbs water very eagerly and in big amounts. Most likely, this type isn't used for cavity insulation panels, but I'm not sure.

You're correct, closed cell for cavity boards.

MouldyOldDough

What about the copious water from the gutter? 

stuart45

I'd get the water diverted away from the foundations if possible.

MouldyOldDough

stuart45 said:

I'd get the water diverted away from the foundations if possible.

Is it up to me or the builders? 

stuart45

If you're using a main contractor it's up to them. If you're using subbies and project managing it yourself it could be up to you.

MouldyOldDough

stuart45 said:

If you're using a main contractor it's up to them. If you're using subbies and project managing it yourself it could be up to you.

We are using a main contractor who subcontracted out to brickies - they are "scared of rain" and have not shown up since Saturday - there is still more bricklaying to go before tiling can start !

I sent an email - 3 hours ago - no response - not looking very good.

MouldyOldDough

Still nothing.... 

MouldyOldDough

I give up 
Let it rain on the whole lot