Cavity Wall Insulation - Damp/Damage Claims

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  • phil24_7
    phil24_7 Posts: 1,535
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    superbmum wrote: »
    12 years ago when I had mine installed it was heavily subsidised and publicised, alongside loft insulation. There were no negative reports about it all over the internet like there are now. I asked ' simple' questions such as "is there a 5mm clearance?" But, no I didn't ask questions that consumers now read about such as "do I have existing debris in my cavities?". Why? Because I'm not a builder, just like I'm not an engineer but unfortunately bought a tumble dryer that's likely to burst into flames. I guess my 'common sense', along with thousands of other clearly gullible people was lacking on several counts then, wasn't it? I'm sure those people who own a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 also only have themselves to blame, after all, did they ask if the battery will explode???

    There were no terms and conditions, just a 25 year guarantee which was provided post-installation and a nice big subsidy from the government to persuade you of the effectiveness.

    Goodbye Furts, I have a feeling you're just about to have a day working for either CIGA, a CWI manufacturer or an installation company. I'm pretty sure your responses don't go along the line of understanding Samaritan.

    Furts, whilst being abrasive and argumentative at times, is a very knowledgeable guy. He swings a little towards the 'it's the consumers fault' for me but much of what he says is fair comment. It is consumers lack of care when selecting and monitoring (if you don't have a clue there are people that do and can advise) works that causes a great many of the issues they encounter.
  • Furts
    Furts Posts: 4,474 Forumite
    phil24_7 wrote: »
    Furts, whilst being abrasive and argumentative at times, is a very knowledgeable guy. He swings a little towards the 'it's the consumers fault' for me but much of what he says is fair comment. It is consumers lack of care when selecting and monitoring (if you don't have a clue there are people that do and can advise) works that causes a great many of the issues they encounter.

    Kind words and thank you. I am aware of my profile, and the "its the consumers fault"! But in fairness to me there is a reason for this. This forum is predominantly a consumer driven forum. I, and some others who post, work in the construction industry. We see the other side of the argument. It is frequently said "the consumer is always right" but the reality can be the opposite of this.
  • phil24_7
    phil24_7 Posts: 1,535
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    Furts wrote: »
    Kind words and thank you. I am aware of my profile, and the "its the consumers fault"! But in fairness to me there is a reason for this. This forum is predominantly a consumer driven forum. I, and some others who post, work in the construction industry. We see the other side of the argument. It is frequently said "the consumer is always right" but the reality can be the opposite of this.

    My ode has always been 'The customer is not always right but the customer is always the customer!'.

    I firmly believe customers should care more about what they get and seek the best possible quality for the price they can afford but I equally think customers cannot be expected to know everything and that builder/plumbers/electricians et al have a duty to be more honest...but there's fat chance of that happening! lol
  • Polly05
    Polly05 Posts: 376
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    I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on where to start...
    My mum's house got cavity wall insulation some years ago (not sure when exactly!). I think it was through the council. The house got damp pretty quickly after that. But now we've discovered it also has dry rot. The specialists we had look at it thinks that the cavity wall insulation is wet and not carried out correctly. Its going to cost us thousands to fix, which we don't have.
    Do you think I should contact the council as a first step? Ask them if they know when it was and what company it was they used? To see if they have a guarantee?
    Thanks!
  • Furts
    Furts Posts: 4,474 Forumite
    Polly05 wrote: »
    I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on where to start...
    My mum's house got cavity wall insulation some years ago (not sure when exactly!). I think it was through the council. The house got damp pretty quickly after that. But now we've discovered it also has dry rot. The specialists we had look at it thinks that the cavity wall insulation is wet and not carried out correctly. Its going to cost us thousands to fix, which we don't have.
    Do you think I should contact the council as a first step? Ask them if they know when it was and what company it was they used? To see if they have a guarantee?
    Thanks!

    By all means try the council, but I suspect they are part of the CIGA 25 year scheme. Hence you would be wise contacting CIGA with the property address to see if a guarantee exists. If it does then CIGA will come to investigate. However be wary. CIGA are notorious for tardy responses, appalling survey investigation, confrontational or non existent customer response and so on. So if a survey takes place get a clued up, savvy, experienced building person as a witness - ideally professionally qualified. CIGA will not like this so do not forewarn them.If you do forewarn then expect problems. Trust me- I know how bad CIGA are!
  • I had cavity walls done 5 years ago and now on our wall in the living room has had damp all up one side for last 2 years even though there is a radiator there and also the hallway.

    We had a company come round and they have said this is now widespread just like PPI

    We are now awaiting compensation figure and we will be having the problem fixed and both rooms fixed no charge.
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  • Furts
    Furts Posts: 4,474 Forumite
    prenton01 wrote: »
    I had cavity walls done 5 years ago and now on our wall in the living room has had damp all up one side for last 2 years even though there is a radiator there and also the hallway.

    We had a company come round and they have said this is now widespread just like PPI

    We are now awaiting compensation figure and we will be having the problem fixed and both rooms fixed no charge.

    This worries me a bit. What reason has been given for the problem? How is it to be fixed? Where does this put the CIGA 25 year guarantee?, Who is going to do the work? and so on.

    Making a comparison with PPI sounds like a throw away, unsubstantiated remark and sounds unprofessional. Then to expect compensation for what?

    Everything here might be genuine but I suspect there are dubious companies out there looking for unsuspecting consumers. Come back with accurate facts to reassure us everything is OK here.
  • Apparently the reason for the mold and the claims is as follows

    To many companies were jumping on the bandwagon and carrying this out then claiming the costs from the Govt as there was unlimited money to be had they were not carrying out the job to high standards.
    When they put the insulation into the holes drilled into the outside wall they were just putting a small amount on insulation into the gaps and not the full amount so that they could get the job done quicker and get more houses completed meaning more money of the govt.
    Therefore because of this the spaces left within the walls were a magnet for damp which after a few years comes through to the inside of your house.

    This is what i was told.
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  • Ganga
    Ganga Posts: 4,102
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    prenton01 wrote: »
    I had cavity walls done 5 years ago and now on our wall in the living room has had damp all up one side for last 2 years even though there is a radiator there and also the hallway.

    We had a company come round and they have said this is now widespread just like PPI

    We are now awaiting compensation figure and we will be having the problem fixed and both rooms fixed no charge.

    Have you paid any money up front to the company that promised you the compensation?
    ITS NOT EASY TO GET EVERYTHING WRONG ,I HAVE TO WORK HARD TO DO IT!
  • Not a thing and was told i never will the only cost i would have to pay would be £10 if i needed a replacement certificate but i had mine
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