Cavity Wall Insulation

[Grombleton]

Howdy

As Winter is upon us (not proper Winter, but you know) the niggling feeling enters my tiny brain about bills etc. We were able to get all new doors and windows during the summer which has helped the heat loss and the sound reduction has been brilliant, but it still feels a bit chillier than I'd like. I know I could turn the heating on etc, but i'm trying not to unless we really need it.
Now, I live on the end of a terrace. The house was built...mid-90's I believe as part of an estate. The inside walls are just plasterboard (far from ideal) which I don't think helps (but hey, it means the housing company can put them up cheaply and quickly then sell for a profit...*shakes fist*)

Now, can you sexy NSC'ers give me some advice:

How can I tell if there's any cavity wall insulation put in?
How much should I expect to pay?
Can anyone recommend any decent firms that offer this?

Any help (relevant, of course) will be met with muchos gratitude.

 

[jamie the seagull]

Hi
I got a company round to check for the same. They drilled one test hole in the wall to check if I had it. I did have it.
I used a company called CavityTech to check.

 

[Grombleton]

Hi
I got a company round to check for the same. They drilled one test hole in the wall to check if I had it. I did have it.
I used a company called CavityTech to check.

Ooh, that's good to know. Did they charge to come out? (I'm expecting a 'yes'). I'll give them a Google.

 

[jamie the seagull]

Ooh, that's good to know. Did they charge to come out? (I'm expecting a 'yes'). I'll give them a Google.

When I called them I said I was unsure if I had cavity wall insulation but if I did not could they quote me for installing it.
They came round and checked for me.
They filled the hole in after doing their check and left. No Fee.

 

[melias shoes]

Howdy

As Winter is upon us (not proper Winter, but you know) the niggling feeling enters my tiny brain about bills etc. We were able to get all new doors and windows during the summer which has helped the heat loss and the sound reduction has been brilliant, but it still feels a bit chillier than I'd like. I know I could turn the heating on etc, but i'm trying not to unless we really need it.
Now, I live on the end of a terrace. The house was built...mid-90's I believe as part of an estate. The inside walls are just plasterboard (far from ideal) which I don't think helps (but hey, it means the housing company can put them up cheaply and quickly then sell for a profit...*shakes fist*)

Now, can you sexy NSC'ers give me some advice:

How can I tell if there's any cavity wall insulation put in?
How much should I expect to pay?
Can anyone recommend any decent firms that offer this?

Any help (relevant, of course) will be met with muchos gratitude.

Being that your house was built in the mid 90s there is a good chance that it will be insulated. However whether it is up to todays standards is debatable. It might have a polystyrene type clipped to the wall ties. These days we build full fill rockwool into the cavity. Like I said you more than likely have some form of insulation but as others have said a cavity inspection will determine if it's adequate.

 

[lawros left foot]

Funnily enough I've had cavity wall insulation put in today. Its a freebie from the government, only thing is , I have got a huge vent in my front room cos I have a gas fire in there

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Howdy

As Winter is upon us (not proper Winter, but you know) the niggling feeling enters my tiny brain about bills etc. We were able to get all new doors and windows during the summer which has helped the heat loss and the sound reduction has been brilliant, but it still feels a bit chillier than I'd like. I know I could turn the heating on etc, but i'm trying not to unless we really need it.
Now, I live on the end of a terrace. The house was built...mid-90's I believe as part of an estate. The inside walls are just plasterboard (far from ideal) which I don't think helps (but hey, it means the housing company can put them up cheaply and quickly then sell for a profit...*shakes fist*)

Now, can you sexy NSC'ers give me some advice:

How can I tell if there's any cavity wall insulation put in?
How much should I expect to pay?
Can anyone recommend any decent firms that offer this?

Any help (relevant, of course) will be met with muchos gratitude.

if you want damp problems you go right ahead , you've been warned
regards
DR

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Funnily enough I've had cavity wall insulation put in today. Its a freebie from the government, only thing is , I have got a huge vent in my front room cos I have a gas fire in there

Welcome to damp problems
regards
DR

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Is the green deal still operating?

www.gov.uk/green-deal-energy-saving-measures/overview

 

[jackanada]

Replace the plasterboard on the end wall with insulation board. Takes out a bit of thermal mass and loses an inch or two of space but simple to do. DR will let us know if thats an ok idea.

 

[nicko31]

If your house was built in the mid-90's I'd expect the thermal performance to be quite good. Cheapest ways to insulate have got to be cavities and the loft, then the windows (which you've done). I recently reno'd a 60's house and lined the walls with celotex but its pricey and only probably worth it if you need a re-plaster.

LED bulbs are getting much cheaper and are miles better than the flourescents and you get a rapid ROI now

 

[Grombleton]

if you want damp problems you go right ahead , you've been warned
regards
DR

Why?

 

[Rogero]

Never had damp problems in 30 years. My neighbour has just had it put in for nothing.

 

[Curious Orange]

Why?

Because the cavity in the wall is there to prevent the building from getting damp by keeping it ventilated - which is particularly important in coastal regions. Filling it stops this happening, and can also lead to damage of the ties linking the walls, which can potentially lead to the wall collapsing.

 

[cardboard]

i had it put in to my 60's house 2 years ago as well as thicker loft insulation all for free - as long as the vents are sealed there shouldn't be an issue. If weather can get into the cavity, you may have an issue

I was worried about damp so i had a bloke round with a probe to check for my peace of mind and it was perfectly dry that was after last winter and loads of rain

 

[glasfryn]

you talk about the mid 90's, I assume you are talking 1990's ......would have thought it was already insulated
1890's well thats different ..........has it even got a cavity wall?

 

[Grombleton]

you talk about the mid 90's, I assume you are talking 1990's ......would have thought it was already insulated
1890's well thats different ..........has it even got a cavity wall?

Haha, yeah I did mean 1990's. If it were 1890's i'd guess they'd just showhorn in some livestock into the cavity and be done with it. Ah, simpler times.

 

[glasfryn]

Haha, yeah I did mean 1990's. If it were 1890's i'd guess they'd just showhorn in some livestock into the cavity and be done with it. Ah, simpler times.

might be worth contacting your energy supplier and asking about it..................some are just giving it away even if you are not on benefits

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Because the cavity in the wall is there to prevent the building from getting damp by keeping it ventilated - which is particularly important in coastal regions. Filling it stops this happening, and can also lead to damage of the ties linking the walls, which can potentially lead to the wall collapsing.

Is the right answer
regards
DR

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Replace the plasterboard on the end wall with insulation board. Takes out a bit of thermal mass and loses an inch or two of space but simple to do. DR will let us know if thats an ok idea.

Well a mate of mine does re pointing and see's the problems it causes but hey you carry on
regards
DR