When you’re buying or selling a home, your survey can make or break the deal and one of the most common red flags we see flagged in homebuyer reports is cavity wall problems. From corroded wall ties to failed cavity wall insulation, these issues don’t just hold up the sale, they can affect your mortgage approval and lead to thousands in repair costs if ignored.
At CavClear, we work with buyers, sellers, and surveyors every day to diagnose and fix cavity wall issues quickly and professionally, helping you move forward with confidence.
What Surveyors Are Spotting and Why
Home surveyors are trained to look for early signs of structural movement, damp, or poor workmanship. If your surveyor suspects cavity wall problems, it’s usually for one of these reasons:
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Horizontal or step cracking in external brickwork
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Bowing or bulging walls
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Loose or damaged render
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Damp patches or condensation on internal walls
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Musty smells or poor air circulation
These symptoms often point to two key causes:
1. Wall Tie Failure
Wall ties connect the inner and outer leaves of a cavity wall. When they corrode, especially in older homes or coastal areas, it compromises the structure.
Surveyors will flag this as a structural concern, and mortgage lenders may require professional inspection and remedial work before proceeding.
2. Defective or Inappropriate Cavity Wall Insulation
Many homes in the UK were insulated during government schemes, but not all installations were done correctly.
If your property has:
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Porous brickwork
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High exposure to wind and rain
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Timber frame construction
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Signs of internal damp
…it’s likely that insulation was installed where it shouldn’t have been. Surveyors now know this, and many will flag cavity wall insulation as a risk. In some cases, lenders won’t release funds until the insulation is removed.
What Happens If It’s Flagged in a Survey?
If your report mentions wall tie corrosion or damp linked to insulation, you’ll likely be advised to get a specialist survey. This is where CavClear comes in.
We provide:
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Wall Tie Surveys with endoscopic inspections
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Cavity Wall Insulation Surveys using thermal imaging
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Full written reports for your solicitor or mortgage provider
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Certified remedial works, from tie replacement to insulation removal
Whether you’re a buyer needing clarity or a seller wanting to prevent delays, our reports provide what surveyors and lenders need — quickly and clearly.
Selling or Buying a Home with Cavity Wall Problems?
We recommend:
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Booking a survey as early as possible
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Getting quotes for remedial works to avoid delays
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Not ignoring a flagged report, it won’t go away on its own
In many cases, fixing the issue in advance of a sale can help you avoid price negotiations, lost buyers, or rejected mortgage applications.
Why Use CavClear?
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Nationwide coverage, including Scotland, Manchester, and the North West
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Trusted by surveyors, lenders, and homeowners
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Full membership with the Wall Tie Installers Federation
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Quick turnaround on surveys and remedial work
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Honest advice with clear, no-pressure reports
If your home survey has flagged cavity wall issues, or you want to check before listing your property, contact CavClear for expert advice and fast action.
We’ll identify the root cause, explain your options, and offer cost-effective solutions that satisfy surveyors, protect your home, and keep your sale on track.
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