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katelje
Junior Member
Joined: 03 Oct 2008
Posts: 1
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 Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:00 am Post subject: Cavity wall Insulation - is it a good idea? |
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Hi,
We're thinking of taking up one of these offers for subsidised cavity wall insulation. I like the idea of a warmer house and saving money on my bills. However I have heard about problems with damp etc. Has anyone had their walls insulated and are they pleased with the results? Anyone had problems? Any opinions on the topic would be appreciated. |
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:46 am Post subject: |
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I read something recently about cavity wall insulation and it said that it is much more economical than solar water heating etc. and that it was much more efficient and the payback was much quicker. I can't remember where I read about this!
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handyman
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2863
Location: Alderley Edge, Cheshire
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:48 am Post subject: |
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theres a team going round this area and will do my house (small mid terrace) for £150. Sounds good to me, but i have also heard about issues with it (from years ago)
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8036
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 10:52 am Post subject: |
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I think the old foam they used to use did cause damp issues.
The new stuff is a loose fill that gets blown in via 22mm holes drilled every 1M and is meant to get round all these damp transference issues.
Should pay for itself within 2 years.
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peter c
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Sep 2007
Posts: 333
Location: Suffolk
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| Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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I had the loose fill (like Rockwall) blown into the cavities of my last house. Made an improvement to the warmth of the house. Never had any problems with damp etc.
Peter C
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LovelyBoy
Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Wigan
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| Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:43 am Post subject: |
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Recently took up the Dual Fuel NPower offer of £300 for cavity and loft insulation. We can feel the difference already (much warmer) and are very pleased we got it done. This columnist thinks it's a bad idea:
http://www.askjeff.co.uk/content.php?id=4
- but we went ahead anyway!
LB. |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8036
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:56 am Post subject: |
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Hi LB,
I was in the process of getting wall insulation but due to a complication they couldn't do it on the day they turned up.
And now reading that, there is one bit that concerns me ...
"Cavity walls were first built, in exposed coastal areas, in order to keep out wind-driven rain. Filling the cavity with insulation will always hold the risk that moisture will be able to find its way across to the inside, whatever the insulation material"
and
"Several readers have reported problems with penetrating dampness since having cavity wall insulation installed. The British Board of Agrément approval for these products clearly states that they are unsuitable for areas of high exposure to wind-driven rain"
I used to get rain INSIDE the house because it was so driving (admittedly though a crack in the rendering, but a TINY crack) and am in a semi coastal area
Hmmmm  Thanks for the extra info, LB.
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I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. |
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LovelyBoy
Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Wigan
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: |
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Hi Hoovie,
Glad it helped, er, I mean, made things more confusing  !
When I first read the article, I started to dither. Despite the potential risks, the cost of the works and the benefit we are feeling right now makes us think we've made the right choice.
I hope I don't get up one morning half awake and think I'm at the swimming baths... 
LB. |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8036
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:44 am Post subject: |
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on the main road I live on, the houses all tend to be different designs, althought mostly around 1930's in age - but luckily the house next door is identical AND the owner has just had cavity wall insualtion done, so she can be my guinea pig for a year or so 
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I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. |
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