4 - 24hrs
Cavity wall insulation frequently asked questions. .
Does it cause me any great inconvenience?
No but there are some precautions you need to take before the insulation can commence. Although the holes drilled into the walls are very small for the blowing in of the Insulation there, is a small amount of vibration so we always advise the following: Put any wall decorations, any clocks and ornaments near to the walls in a safe place. Make sure that your pets are indoors. Remove any vehicles and garden equipment away from the area. Most importantly inform your neighbours that insulation is taking place and advise them to keep all windows and doors shut, remove their cars if they have a drive and avoid putting any washing out. Although the process on average only takes approximately 2 hours and there is only a minimal amount of dust made which we remove on completion it is recommended. Depending on what type of property you have it maybe necessary at some point for our operatives to be on their land so you would need to obtain their permission.
Are all houses suitable?
A Surveyor or CWI Technician would need to inspect your property and report it's suitability. They would look for the following: Walls in a good condition with nothing inside which may let in water. If your property is semi detached then a cavity barrier has to be inserted at the party wall joint (this barrier cannot be seen) and prevents you insulating your neighbours cavity. Before insulation starts a test will be performed by our operatives to ensure that the right density is used and the right amount of sufficient insulation is calculated to ensure an accomplished and professional job is done.
All materials and installation methods used are very modern and the insulation will last the lifetime of your property with no extra building maintenance needed providing you look after the remainder of your property to a good standard. A guarantee of 25 years is given.
What if I do not have cavity walls?
If your property has solid brick walls then different methods of insulation can be offered these include external cladding with an added waterproof finish, internal lining (dry lining) which comes in rolls and is used like wallpaper then painted. The other alternative is to affix wall battens and insert insulating material between each one and then cover with plasterboard. These methods are more complex and certain precautions must be taken to prevent moisture forming behind any new insulation.
I have a fuel burning system, what will happen?
Our CWI operatives would investigate very thoroughly any ventilators that supply combustion air to fuel burning appliances and any form of ventilation including ones below wooden doors. Redundant vents and those used to aerate open fires may need to be closed off and filled. All operatives are fully trained and carry proof of training.
How Will the wall surfaces be left?
All the injection entry points are filled with mortar to match as closely as we can to the existing walls. On other finishes like pebble dash, pebbles matching the existing ones will be applied but if the area is painted to get an exact match may prove difficult so repainting maybe necessary. The entry points are difficult to see after a while due to weathering.
Anything else I need to know?
Installers must inspect both the inner and outer walls including any attached heating and ventilating appliances before and after the installation has taken place and must have access to the property to your property while the CWI operation is taking place.
Some houses require the installation of extra vents. It is not possible to say for sure until the surveyor comes out to the property to inspect and give you a quotation. This may add to the costs.