Failed Cavity Wall Insulation

[Neptune188]

The project thread will come along soon enough...

Has anyone got any experience of this happening? Seems like it's been quite a big thing in the past; ours has failed (diagnosed by an endoscope through the wall).

Looking at options to repair/replace, costs? Anyone had any success with insurance?

[OutInTheShed]

Failed how?

Insulation not reached all parts?
Insulation gone AWOL?
Insulation soaked with water?

I assume we are talking about retrofit injected insulation of some sort? What sort?

[Neptune188]

Waiting for the official report. Sounds like retrofitted spray foam that has gathered water and expanded.

Would explain why the house is so cold (and looses heat so quickly) I suppose...

[Arrivalist]

Assume it’s not the foam (or whatever they are made of) balls?

[Lotobear]

Neptune188 said:

Waiting for the official report. Sounds like retrofitted spray foam that has gathered water and expanded.

Would explain why the house is so cold (and looses heat so quickly) I suppose...

Interesting, sprayed foam does not usually expand after it's cured.

Blown mineral fibre however does collect and hold water (even though the BBA certificate says it does not 'transmit' it). I know it does as i've had my arm into cavities on previous occasions pulling wringing wet lumps of it out.

[Chumley.mouse]

We have the foam type in our house, after removing various amounts when doing alterations. I can guarantee that it is not effected by water. If you leave a piece out in the rain it doesn’t dissolve or expand , just stays the same. It does crumble easy when you disturb it. You may have a different type to ours ?

[Byker28i]

Who did you use for a report and how did you find them.

I think we have the loose polystyrene balls, from when the house was built in the 80's but we've noticed the walls have been very cold this year.

[Lotobear]

Byker28i said:

Who did you use for a report and how did you find them.

I think we have the loose polystyrene balls, from when the house was built in the 80's but we've noticed the walls have been very cold this year.

Engage an experienced chartered building surveyor armed with a thermal camera - it should be sufficient to quickly indicate whether you have a potential issue in need deeper investigation without getting into invasive methods of inspection.

[Neptune188]

Company called Kooka. They're on checkatrade.

I wasn't there (Girlfriend was) - They drilled a hole and went in with a borescope. It was done >20 years ago so not beyond the realms of possibility that it wasn't foam.

Quote for removal and rectification was £8.5k...

[bobtail4x4]

Being on chekeredtrade means nothing, anyone who pays can be on there with a few feedbacks from friends and family,

the foam usually just sits there, there was a phase a while back of it not curing properly and cracking, (dodgy batch)

the polystyrene balls SHOULD have a glue added to form a board, guess what? they often forgot the glue, any holes and it pours out like snow,

rockwool batts are installed as built and should be ok if fitted properly

rockwool fibre blown in is all dependant on the installers ability,

they are all dependant on a clean cavity with no motor snots on the ties,

[Lotobear]

bobtail4x4 said:

Being on chekeredtrade means nothing, anyone who pays can be on there with a few feedbacks from friends and family,

the foam usually just sits there, there was a phase a while back of it not curing properly and cracking, (dodgy batch)

the polystyrene balls SHOULD have a glue added to form a board, guess what? they often forgot the glue, any holes and it pours out like snow,

rockwool batts are installed as built and should be ok if fitted properly

rockwool fibre blown in is all dependant on the installers ability,

they are all dependant on a clean cavity with no motor snots on the ties,

Blown fibre in particular is also heavily reliant upon the building orientation, the facing material, and degree of exposure to driving rain - this is the type that usually causes problems if installed to an unsuitbale property.

[Byker28i]

bobtail4x4 said:

Being on chekeredtrade means nothing, anyone who pays can be on there with a few feedbacks from friends and family,

the foam usually just sits there, there was a phase a while back of it not curing properly and cracking, (dodgy batch)

the polystyrene balls SHOULD have a glue added to form a board, guess what? they often forgot the glue, any holes and it pours out like snow,

rockwool batts are installed as built and should be ok if fitted properly

rockwool fibre blown in is all dependant on the installers ability,

they are all dependant on a clean cavity with no motor snots on the ties,

Our polystyrene balls were added at build. Definitely loose as they flowed out when we had the patio doors replaced with bifold.

Probably running out of cold weather this year to use a thermal camera?

[Lotobear]

Byker28i said:

bobtail4x4 said:

Being on chekeredtrade means nothing, anyone who pays can be on there with a few feedbacks from friends and family,

the foam usually just sits there, there was a phase a while back of it not curing properly and cracking, (dodgy batch)

the polystyrene balls SHOULD have a glue added to form a board, guess what? they often forgot the glue, any holes and it pours out like snow,

rockwool batts are installed as built and should be ok if fitted properly

rockwool fibre blown in is all dependant on the installers ability,

they are all dependant on a clean cavity with no motor snots on the ties,

Our polystyrene balls were added at build. Definitely loose as they flowed out when we had the patio doors replaced with bifold.

Probably running out of cold weather this year to use a thermal camera?

Put the heating on any time of year and a thermal camera will work just fine - they are extremely sensitive to temp difference

I have a Flir E6 and it will show you where you walked over the floor several minutes ago.

[Byker28i]

Lotobear said:

Put the heating on any time of year and a thermal camera will work just fine - they are extremely sensitive to temp difference

I have a Flir E6 and it will show you where you walked over the floor several minutes ago.

Ok ta.

Had a quick look, hum £2500-£3k flir camera - nice.

[Lotobear]

Byker28i said:

Lotobear said:

Put the heating on any time of year and a thermal camera will work just fine - they are extremely sensitive to temp difference

I have a Flir E6 and it will show you where you walked over the floor several minutes ago.

Ok ta.

Had a quick look, hum £2500-£3k flir camera - nice.

Yes, I'm a professional user - they are expensive but save so much time when surveying a building. You can hire one or even better employ someone who knows about cavity fill and how to use one.

[Byker28i]

Lotobear said:

Byker28i said:

Lotobear said:

Put the heating on any time of year and a thermal camera will work just fine - they are extremely sensitive to temp difference

I have a Flir E6 and it will show you where you walked over the floor several minutes ago.

Ok ta.

Had a quick look, hum £2500-£3k flir camera - nice.

Yes, I'm a professional user - they are expensive but save so much time when surveying a building. You can hire one or even better employ someone who knows about cavity fill and how to use one.

Ah but this is PH, where we all buy expensive toys and play. I cant justify even a Flir one


Realistically I need to find someone local who knows what they are looking at and doing

[Purosangue]

Byker28i said:

Lotobear said:

Put the heating on any time of year and a thermal camera will work just fine - they are extremely sensitive to temp difference

I have a Flir E6 and it will show you where you walked over the floor several minutes ago.

Ok ta.

Had a quick look, hum £2500-£3k flir camera - nice.

no Flir 1 gen 3 is £172 .............or you can get from £45 from Ali Express



https://www.flir.co.uk/products/flir-one-gen-3/?ut...

[Byker28i]

IS the one I was looking at, but the E6 is expensive, pro model, hence the cost

I can't see a Flir one on Ali Express for £45

[Purosangue]

Byker28i said:

IS the one I was looking at, but the E6 is expensive, pro model, hence the cost

I can't see a Flir one on Ali Express for £45

no idea of the quality they are all probably made in China though ?

[Lotobear]

Purosangue said:

Byker28i said:

IS the one I was looking at, but the E6 is expensive, pro model, hence the cost

I can't see a Flir one on Ali Express for £45

no idea of the quality they are all probably made in China though ?

Flir is a Swedish firm, my E6 camera is made in Estonia