
All you need to know about Pipe Insulation Cladding
- Jun 25, 2022
- 35
The government in the UK is looking to insulation to reach its carbon neutrality goal by 2050. In a bid to make it a reality, various steps have been taken, and many grants released. The main focus of all these schemes is to save wasted energy in the form of heat and make buildings more energy-efficient.
Cavity wall insulation is one such way to increase energy efficiency, and the authorities have mostly supported it. Cavity wall insulation is basically filling up the cavities, between the inner and outer leaves of brickwork, with insulating materials. It is a cost-effective solution to save energy and stop heat loss. However, there are problems with cavity wall insulation that you should be aware of before you install it.
In our last blog, we looked into the advantages of cavity wall insulation. We have discussed the different insulating materials used to insulate cavity walls and talked about recognised organisations for installing cavity wall insulation.
In this blog, we will be looking into the pros and cons of each of the insulating materials. We will also discuss some of the common problems associated with cavity wall insulation.
A typical cavity wall has two layers of masonry brickwork with a cavity between them. The problem with cavity wall insulation is very rarely with the insulation itself. More often than not, the issue stems from pre-existing conditions like defective walls, cracks in the brickwork, render disintegrating mortar or leaking gutters. Improper installation can also be the root cause of the problem.
Another big contributing factor is driving rain, especially prevalent in Ireland, Wales and the West coasts of Britain. Particular caution should be taken in these areas as the walls of properties get battered by rain, leading to higher chance of water ingress into the cavity.
The primary reason for having cavity walls is to keep the water away from the internal, habitable side of the property. Water will get into the cavity if cracks exist in external walls. No matter what insulating material you choose, it will become redundant on continuous exposure to moisture. The insulation will soak up water, resulting in it ceasing to acting like an insulator, mould infestation, wall tie failure and structural damage. No insulation is better than wet insulation.
All new builds will mostly have cavity wall insulation installed during the construction phase itself. The cavity wall insulation batts are designed to be as water repellent as possible, which cannot be said of blown in cellulose for example. This is probably why issues related to cavity wall insulation are of rare occurrence in new builds but a big problem in retrofitted wall insulation.
Before we dive into the problems with cavity wall insulation, let us look into the pros and cons of each insulating material used to insulate cavity walls.
Cavity Insulation batts made of mineral wool are a cost-effective and best solution for insulating cavity walls. At Buy Insulation online, we store cavity batts from top brands like Rockwool, Knauf and Superglass.
You can get the most out of installing cavity batt insulation only with proper installation. It must be said that these types of wall insulation, either batts or PIR boards, are only going to be feasible in new builds or extensions etc as you would literally have to take the wall down otherwise to install them.
Even on new walls though, improper installation causes many problems that include:
Small polystyrene beads are installed into the cavity by drilling holes in the walls and pumping the insulation in. This has to be carried out by professional insulation installers.
Cellulose is one of the most widely used insulating materials for cavity walls. Loose-fill cellulose is blown into wall cavities with sophisticated blowing devices. The plant fibres act as a good insulator, conforming to designated space without disrupting or dislocating anything.
Foam insulation is one of the most common ways to insulate cavity walls. Polyurethane foam is sprayed into the cavities by drilling holes into the walls.
1. Problems with inadequate ventilation:
As discussed previously in our blog, adequate ventilation is critical, along with the proper installation, to get the maximum out of insulating your home. The same goes for cavity wall insulation. If cavity wall insulation is not installed properly or does not have ventilation around, it will slump with time resulting in cold spots along the walls.
2. Condensation In cavity Walls: Condensation on cavity walls can be due to the following reasons:
Interstitial Condensation: When the humid, warm air flows through breathable insulating material like mineral wool, for example, the moisture-laden air could reach its dew point, depositing water in the insulation itself. Water droplets that develop within the cavity cause structural damage, corrode the metal wall ties, decay timber frames and so on. These may not become apparent until the condition has deteriorated significantly.
Cold bridging: If the cavity contains sharp edges or rubble, this could cut into the insulation, forming gaps. These gaps result in heat loss and develop cold spots along the wall. When moisture-laden air comes into contact with these cold spots, they condense, leading to moulds and structural damage.
3. Dampness:
The insulation in the cavities will soak up the water, decreasing their performance and insulating properties. It can lead to sagging or slumping in the insulation, which will cause gaps, resulting in heat loss. Moisture is usually followed by moulds, which are potentially dangerous for occupants' health.
This is why a pre-installation survey is so important. Post-installation, it is critical to ventilate the area followed by routine property care, like repointing mortar joints and monitoring gutters regularly. Doing so will keep moisture at bay.
4. Rubble in Cavity Walls: A Lot of cavity walls, especially on older properties are full of rubble and all sorts at the bottom. When insulation is installed in cavities, this rubble can allow moisture bridges to form, decreasing the insulation effectiveness and performance. Also, the blown-in insulation may not fill up the cavity as expected if it's full of rubble.
5. Not sleeving sub floor vents: Sub Floor vents are there to keep suspended floors in older properties free of damp and rot. Very commonly they form part of the main cavity. If these are blocked, then you are inviting wet and dry rot into your home which is a disaster. Cavity wall insulation installers should make sure these are sleeved before any insulation installation takes place.
6. Improper Covering of Drill Holes: If insulation is installed by drilling holes, then these holes must be properly covered to reap the maximum benefits of the insulation. Poor cover-ups will not only look ugly, but they will also decrease the insulation effectiveness.
Some of the signs that your cavity wall insulation is not doing what it is supposed to do include:
If you find these signs in your facility, then it is likely that the cavity wall insulation needs removing and replacing. This is again not a DIY job. Check with your installers to see if your warranty is still valid. This brings home why it's important to get a CIGA guarantee on your install, to make sure you have some form of protection if things go wrong. You need to get in touch with certified contractors to remove cavity wall insulation.
To get the maximum out of installing cavity wall insulation, you must install it properly. The installation will fail if the job was carried out by a cowboy contractor who did not follow instructions to the tee or if thorough pre checks were not done prior to installation. So, it is of utmost importance that you go through certified organisations such as CIGA to insulate cavity walls.
For superior-quality cavity batt insulation, visit Buy Insulation Online. We also store loft insulation, floor insulation, pipe insulation, and duct insulation materials from leading brands in the UK. We also supply valve jackets. By supplying quality insulation materials, we make buildings energy-efficient and by planting three trees per order, we make you carbon positive.
LEAVE A REPLY
Your feedback is greatly appreciated, please comment on our content below