Well fitted Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI), in the right type of property, the right location and by reputable firms with solid guarantees, are one of the best ways to reduce heat loss and cut energy bills. But, that’s a lot of boxes to tick and in an estimated 2,000,000 homes, CWI may have been miss sold or badly fitted – and for the homeowner, that could be a problem that isn’t just financial, but potentially damaging to their health.
When CWI isn’t the right choice
Sadly, as far too many homeowners are discovering, there are many problems associated with CWI. Here we look at the main ones:
- Wrong location: Houses in areas of high rain and wind are NOT generally suitable for Cavity Wall Insulation. This is particularly prevalent to the entire west coast of the UK, from northern Scotland to Cornwall. CWI is not suitable because rain penetrates the outer wall and the insulation material can either transfer water across the cavity to the interior or trap it, helping to cause damp, mould and even structural damage.
SOLUTION: If you live around the west coast of the UK and have had Cavity Wall Insulation fitted, and you believe there may be a problem with it, contact us for an initial, free and no obligation consultation. It won’t cost you anything to speak to our team, but could save you thousands and mitigate the health related problems associated with failing CWI.
- Poorly Fitted CWI: Often the issue stems from poor walls not being repaired prior to fitting cavity wall insulation. Cracks in the brickwork or render, crumbling mortar and leaky guttering can all allow water into the cavity. This will soak the insulation, meaning it won’t perform as it should, ultimately leading to issues.
Another major issue is obstructions within the cavity, such as pieces of mortar, which can snag materials such as mineral wool. If a cavity is too thin, the insulation may also not spread as expected. Using the right type of insulation for your house is the first step to avoiding this. Good installation is essential, too. A cowboy installer might not pay due care and attention to ensuring the whole wall is properly treated.
SOLUTION: If you believe there may be a problem, such as damp patches, the smell of damp, mould, cold spots or losing heat too quickly, contact us for an initial, free and no obligation consultation. It won’t cost you anything to speak to our team, but could save you thousands and mitigate the health related problems associated with failing CWI.
- Poor ventilation: To ensure your home stays fresh and free from mould, ventilation is critical. If you are experiencing the signs or smells of damp or mould it could be that the installers have either covered the existing ventilation holes or haven’t provided adequate ventilation in the fitting. Cavity wall insulation problems related to ventilation problems can be exacerbated if it is poorly installed or slumps over time. As well as causing cold spots, this could also block vents, so proper specification and installation are key. Either way, you need to act and take action to rectify this quickly.
SOLUTION: Firstly, check to see if any existing airbricks or ventilation areas have been covered. If you believe there may be a problem, such as damp patches, the smell of damp, mould, cold spots or losing heat too quickly, contact us for an initial, free and no obligation consultation. It won’t cost you anything to speak to our team, but could save you thousands and mitigate the health related problems associated with failing CWI.
If you are suffering from what appears to be the failure of your insulation, it is important you find the guarantee / warranty that should have been given to you. Proving insulation failure isn’t easy – it is after all out of sight and very difficult to access – so it makes sense to discuss your concerns with a specialist claims company like Jackson Grant. We can guide you through the process, arranging everything from expert surveys to compensation, and for actionable claims there will be no cost to you.
If you would like a free no obligation discussion with our claims specialist to discuss your concerns in more detail, go to our Cavity Wall Insulation Claims page on this website click here or use the email / telephone number at the bottom of this web page to contact us direct.
If you do have an actionable claim for compensation that we can support, we will proceed on a 100% no win – no fee basis for your complete peace of mind.
