Cavity Wall Insulation & Damp Issues

[AJC]

Hello!

 

I'm slowly updating a property in Ireland which was built in 1976. Situated on the North-west Atlantic coast it is very rain and wind exposed. There are some areas that suggest damp ingress but could potentially also relate to the property being infrequently lived in and left unheated/unoccupied over winter months.

 

Is there any type of cavity wall insulation that can safely be considered in this context?

 

Thanks,

Anthony 

[TheMitchells]

Some good information here - 

https://www.ecomerchant.co.uk/news/a-guide-to-wall-insulation/?srsltid=AfmBOopYEZ0zPHIDv7V7AU-XHGBdyHnT9-3abVEqoQUjtf-xz6BzpHQ7

SOme of that may be of use.  

 

[Conor]

Get the heating on and see if it's condensation. If it is, cavity insulation will help with this.

[ADLIan]

if the house is too exposed, which sounds as though may be the case, any form of retrofit cavity wall insulation is probably not suitable and would not follow the design & installation guidance for these system. The problem is filling the cavity with any form of insulation increases the risk of wind riven rain penetration in very exposed areas. Find a reputable CWI company nearby and check with them - they should offer a full survey & design package and if too exposed advise you against CWI. External insulation may be your only option but probably needs the cavity insulating to avoid thermal bypass - Catch 22 situation!!

[AJC]

Thank you all. 

 

On balance I suspect the damp issues do in fact relate to condensation. The vast majority of affected areas are not sun exposed and, given the house is unoccupied over winter, I suspect lack of ventilation/heating/humidity-management is the issue. While the property is wind and rain exposed, so is the entire West Irish Atlantic coast so I guess I shouldn't read too much into that. 

 

A reputable local company has surveyed and estimated a reasonable price to insulate the loft/eaves space of this dormer bungalow. All elevations have a 3 inch cavity for which they recommend Envirobead, a bonded bead product. Again this seems a reasonable suggestion; the product is government grant-scheme recognized and the surveyor recommends retrofitting trickle vents to the double glazing to ensure the property can breathe. 

 

1. Is there anything else I should consider?

2. Other than water ingress, what other problems with bonded bead CWI might I ask about?

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

[Mr Punter]

1 hour ago, AJC said:

A reputable local company has surveyed and estimated a reasonable price to insulate the loft/eaves space of this dormer bungalow. All elevations have a 3 inch cavity for which they recommend Envirobead, a bonded bead product. Again this seems a reasonable suggestion; the product is government grant-scheme recognized and the surveyor recommends retrofitting trickle vents to the double glazing to ensure the property can breathe. 

 

Carefully note the advice above from @ADLIan.  If the outside skin is brickwork, a coat of Stormdry may help mitigate.  If it is rendered, you must carefully check for cracks and imperfections.