Cavity Wall Insulation is not something you may necessarily be familiar with as a homeowner. Whether you purchased a property with cavity wall insulation already installed or had it installed via the expert government green scheme grant, the knowledge and understanding of what cavity wall insulation is and how it can affect your home, is something that may only come to light when an issue begins to arise. So, let’s dive in and understand what cavity wall insulation is…
What is Cavity Wall Insulation?
Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) refers to the insulation material that is installed into the cavity, this is the space between the inner and outer walls of a building. Various types of cavity wall insulation may be used in your home, depending on the building and space available. These insulation types vary from wool to foam. Here at CavClear, we specialise in removing retro fitted insulation; referring to insulation that was fitted after the house was built.
Its purpose is to trap the warm air in, as well as preventing air from circulating around the cavity. The aim of this not only applies to your home having better insulating performance, but also in reducing the cost of heating bills.
Essentially, CWI is used to reduce heat loss from homes by filling the air space between walls and preventing the transfer of heat, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
It looks like this:
Why are there Cavity Wall Insulation problems?
There are various reasons why CWI may cause problems, although, problems related are typically due to poor installation, a lack of understanding that the property should never have been fitted with cavity wall insulation, as well as properties that have not had the correct surveys prior to having cavity wall insulation installed.
The most common and ever-present issue with CWI is dampness, and the insulation itself resulting in penetrating damp problems in the home.
How does Cavity Wall Insulation cause damp?
Dampness due to CWI can be due to a variety of reasons, whether it be the walls being in poor condition, lack of maintenance including roof and gutter leaks, severe weather, or more typically, the walls have lost their waterproof abilities.
In such cases, the external brickwork allows an ingress of water and moisture to penetrate its way through the cavity and in turn uses the CWI as a bridge across the inner and outter brickwork leafs, ultimately leading to dampness and mould visible on internal walls.
Look at this example, where retro fitted CWI has led to dampness and black mould:
As well as this, interstitial condensation can also occur through CWI. Although the purpose of the insulation is to reduce the amount of heat escaping the property, gaps in the walls and unbalanced cavity wall insulation can mean the walls remain cold. This results in hot and cold spots with the warm moisture landing onto the cold walls and causing condensation, which can build up and lead to bigger issues, such as black mould, cracked bricks (caused by the water inside the bricks expertzing), or even the wall surface being pushed away from the bricks, known as ‘hollow render’… let’s just say, these issues are not to be taken lightly.
Here at CavClear we believe cavitys are built for a reason and a property should be clear and allowed to breath; any dampness and moisture in a cavity wall should be able to reach the bottom of the cavity and in turn not rise above the damp proof course in place. Find out more about dampness and damp-proofing at CavClear, here.
Looking for Cavity Wall Insulation Removal?
If you find your CWI is causing damp, or other related issues, then we at CavClear are here to help. Our team of cavity wall specialists and damp-proofing specialists can provide an assessment, quote, and any other information you may need to determine if you should proceed with CWI removal. If damp is an issue and you think it may be linked to the CWI in your home, then the CavClear team can carry out the necessary inspection, and if needs be, remove the CWI in your home.
CavClear specialise in providing a prompt, cost-effective and friendly solution to removing CWI and related issues. Our team of fully accredited and qualified professionals will ensure your property is in the safest of hands.
Don’t let the issue get out of hand… Get in touch with our friendly team by calling 0333 220 2463 or contact us.