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Blown fibre insulation
Although it has no health effects when fully sealed within the cavity, if it escapes through gaps it can be a bit of a nightmare. Although blown fibre insulation isn't classed as hazardous, it is an irritant – if it escapes, it can really itch your eyes and skin.
One of the main reasons as to why people decide to have their cavity wall insulation removed is because their property isn't suitable for it. For instance, if your property is often subject to wind-driven rain, then it is not recommended that a cavity wall is in place.
Whilst cavity wall insulation itself does not require any maintenance, as with any building, failure to properly maintain the fabric of your house, inadequate ventilation or a lack of heating may result in problems with dampness.
Cavity wall insulation usually lasts 25 years or more. Still, it may need replacement due to material degradation, moisture damage, structural changes, increased energy bills, or visible issues like dampness and mould.
Most manufacturers offer a 25-year warranty, but the typical lifespan of cavity wall insulation is between 20-100 years. When installed correctly, cavity wall insulation is made to last the lifespan of your property. Unless damage occurs, all cavity wall insulation should last for up to a century.
There are several reasons why you may need to consider having your existing cavity wall insulation removed and replaced, including: Poorly installed insulation is now causing damp and or cold spots internally. The insulation has become defective or is unsuitable.
Properties without a DPC, or where the DPC is too low (typically less than 125mm from the ground) and a French drain has not been installed. Some properties with raked mortar joints. Properties with a cavity wall under 50mm or over 150mm. Properties that have significant rubble or mortar ingress in the cavity.
Cavity wall insulation can significantly improve energy efficiency in homes. However, if not installed correctly, it can lead to damp and mould issues. This post explores how past government schemes failed to address ventilation, leading to problems, and how new standards like GBIS and ECO4 ensure homes are protected.
Weep Vents are commonly placed directly on the flashing at the bottom of the wall, below finished floor and above finished grade.
Borescope Inspection
A qualified professional can use a borescope to inspect the cavity walls of your property. This will help determine whether insulation has been installed and whether the insulation remains in a good condition.
Expect costs of between $1 and $2 per square foot to remove insulation, with blown-in varieties near the lower end and rigid types near the top end. Keep in mind that those prices are for dry and in good condition non-asbestos insulation.
There are several potential disadvantages to cavity wall insulation. It can cause dampness and moisture problems, be expensive to install, and may not provide effective insulation for all homes. Additionally, if installed incorrectly or with the wrong materials, it may not deliver the desired thermal benefits.
This is another symptom of your cavity wall insulation's deteriorating health. Your boiler and radiators are working overtime to try and warm your house up, the heat wants to escape, and your insulation is allowing it! If your insulation can't even hold itself up, then there's no chance of it holding your heat in.
The best cavity wall insulation to avoid dampness is likely polystyrene beads. They are superb at repelling moisture and mould growth, but unlike spray foam, do not run as large a risk of blocking air circulation in your cavity space, leading to moisture buildup.
Fiberglass insulation is constructed of tiny shards of glass that form pockets to trap air and help restrict the transfer of heat. Its naturally mold resistant in that the material itself is not a food source for mold.
Although insulation is to keep the warm air inside your home, it still needs to breathe. A narrow, insulated cavity is a recipe for damp, condensation and mould. No need to explain that again!
There are a few reasons why you may need to remove the cavity wall insulation from a house; If the house or building was unsuitable for cavity wall insulation, if the cavity wall insulation was poorly installed, in cases of fire or flood damage, or if urea-formaldehyde was used.
Cavity walls should be sealed at the top. In cases where the cavity is left open, moisture can condense into the loft to cause dampness and mould issues.
A similar alternative is insulating paste. Found in most hardware stores, it works similarly to wall plaster and can be applied on the inside of your property before adding wallpaper or painting. It can provide a small boost to your home's heat retention.
Unless damage occurs to it, all blown-in types of cavity wall insulation should last for up to a century. For other insulation methods used during the construction process, the numbers should be similar, lasting up to a hundred years.
Is it worth topping up cavity wall insulation? Topping up your cavity wall insulation can be beneficial, especially if the existing insulation has settled or degraded over time. Often this can happen with certain materials like expanded foam or polystyrene beads.