Cavity wall insulation causing cracks on render - Insurer/Installer AWOL

nightfrogs

Hi!

Nearly 10 years ago I benefitted from a government scheme to have cavity wall insulation on my semi-detached property.

In the last 2 years, the outside render has been cracking along the bricks (and some internal damp which I don't necessarily attribute to the work carried out) so I decided to raise a claim as the work was still under warranty (10 years).

I tried to contact the insurer (Elite insurance company) who have apparently ceased to exist so contacted the installer (SCIS) in January.

They asked for photos and promptly assigned one of their surveyors who came to assess 2 weeks later.

I've chased them twice since but they are not replying to emails so I called. The number is permanently engaged and the assessor's number is no longer in use.

Where do I stand? They benefitted from government work and both the insurer and installer now appear to have disappeared.

I've tracked CSIS back to the Cotswold Energy Group who advised me SCIS had gone into administration.

Are there any guarantees or avenues I can explore with the government, who financed the scheme?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

grumpy_codger

Why do you think that cracks are caused by the insulation - 8(!) years after it was installed?

nightfrogs

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938220#Comment_81938220

I'm no expert but my neighbour's property - attached to my house - was built at the same time (1930s), same render, did not have cavity wall insulation installed and has none of the symptoms I described.

stuart45

It's often wall tie failure that causes cracks in the bed joints. Usually about every 18 inches in height where the ties should be. At the reveals every foot.

nightfrogs

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938337#Comment_81938337

Yes I've been told that, but isn't it strange that neighbour doesn't have such issues?

Any idea of the cost of removing render/replacing wall ties and re render per m2 or sqft?

Also curious about possible recourse through insurance/gov if cracks are deemed to have been caused by insulation.

Thanks!

stuart45

The CWI can cause the ties to rust quicker than next door's if the insulation is damp around the ties.

Ideally the ties should be cleaned before the cavity is insulated, as if there's any mortar droppings on them it can be an issue.

The cost varies with different jobs. I don't do it myself, as it's specialist firms. It's not a difficult job skill wise, but you need the testing equipment to check the new ties have enough pull out strength.

With the thicker, twist types ties that your house probably has, it's costs a bit more because they need to isolate the old ones. With the thinner butterfly ones they can be left as they are.

I'm not sure on the legal side of this, it's not really my field. There are others on here with much better knowledge about this. It's possible the CWI firm were a bit negligent.

Chickereeeee

What type of CWI?

nightfrogs

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81941515#Comment_81941515

Polystyrene beads injection

nightfrogs

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81939344#Comment_81939344

Yes, i've been advised this was often the cause (especially 1930s builds)

XRS200

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6661405/cavity-wall-insulation-causing-cracks-on-render-insurer-installer-awol

Pop over to the insurance section. There is a thread on Elite and letters from the administrators

Chickereeeee

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81939344#Comment_81939344

I would be VERY surprised if polystyrene bead injection caused ties to rust. There is no way they would hold the moisture. Any of the 'fibre' based insulation injection solutions yes, but not beads.