seeking cavity insulation genius

[ian192744]

Hi ,

 

My house is 1973 built, exterior skin brick,  interior concrete block , cavity wall, detached. The cavity varies between 40mm and 80mm approx. I don't know why its not consistent or so small, it just is. 

The cavity contains 20mm of a very "old school" polystyrene board  - somewhat like what would have been used to package a TV in 1970's or 1980's for those old enough to remember that far back. The type that fragmented into small white balls at the slightest poke. The board isn't even particularly well fitted - from the small bits of the cavity that I've had open at various time, its simply loosely laid in there not fixed. It is not a modern system at all. so the insulation is not brilliant, as you might expect.

 

Every  "bog standard" cavity wall company that I have had round over the years, after survey has said they won't touch it.  All for understandable reasons - not enough remaining cavity gap to work with , danger of getting cold spots with an incomplete fill, risk of the existing polystyrene board fragmenting etc.

 

I'd sort of given up on it but now that I am trying again to improve the fabric, its the first thing again that comes to mind again.

 

Can anyone point me at a company that might have a solution for this?

 

thanks

Ian

 

[PeterW]

Where in the U.K. are you..?

 

It can be removed but it’s a bit more challenging than just removing fibre as they need to break it up to suck it out but it does come out in the end. To be honest I would look at something like EWI as it will be easier in the long run, more efficient and less mess. 

[Radian]

@PeterW's right - it can be removed. The technique I heard about involves a flexible flail that's inserted in the injection holes and rotated at speed. Then its all hoovered out.

[ian192744]

near milton keynes. If there are companies that can do this, then any specifics please?

 

yes have considered EWI but the house is quite an awkwards shape, quotes have been in the tens of thousands.  so want to re-look at this first.

 

also someone made the point to me that if the cavity has air in , then air will circulate in there, thus reducing the performance of EWI