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Air blowing in cavity?

  • 26-01-2009 9:39am
    #1
    Lynch32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 73 ✭✭


    Hi All,
    just a quick question to see if this in normal. Our new build has a cavity wall, got 80 mill kingspan between cavity and has been drylined (50 ml). Its been plastered and we are currently letting it dry. Anyways I was down at the house yesterday and noticed where one of the plugs hasn't been fitted yet - there was a gale blowing in the cavity. Is this normal. I assumed there should be no air in the cavity at this stage. The air was bellowing out of the plug area. I mean once they put the plug on, surely this cold air will still be worling around in there.

    Can somebody advise me if this is normal before i approach the builder. I know next to nothing about things like this, so would like to have some sort of clue if this is normal or a big no no before i approach him.

    Many Thanks
    S


Comments

  • #2
    RKQ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,292 ✭✭✭RKQ


    This is normal particularly in a timber framed house where the vapour barrier has been breached. (I assume your house is timber framed?)

    Air tightness is very important and if done correctly, it can slow air movement, keeping warm air in the house for longer, therefore requiring less heat to maintain a comfortable temperature.

    Seal around all sockets etc to improve air tightness.


  • #3
    Slig
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,550 ✭✭✭Slig


    Lynch32 wrote: »
    Hi All,
    just a quick question to see if this in normal. Our new build has a cavity wall, got 80 mill kingspan between cavity and has been drylined (50 ml). Its been plastered and we are currently letting it dry. Anyways I was down at the house yesterday and noticed where one of the plugs hasn't been fitted yet - there was a gale blowing in the cavity. Is this normal. I assumed there should be no air in the cavity at this stage. The air was bellowing out of the plug area. I mean once they put the plug on, surely this cold air will still be worling around in there.

    Can somebody advise me if this is normal before i approach the builder. I know next to nothing about things like this, so would like to have some sort of clue if this is normal or a big no no before i approach him.

    Many Thanks
    S

    As RKQ said it is normal, however it shouldnt happen. Think of how much your insulation cost you and now there is cold air blowing right through it.


  • #4
    mickdw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,794 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    This house is possibly block construction. It is commom to get air coming down the conduit to the socket from the attic space. If this is the case, try to get to the top of each conduit and seal around the wire.


  • #5
    Lynch32
    Closed Accounts Posts: 73 ✭✭Lynch32


    thanks for the comments. Yes its block built. so sounds like it is common enough, although this concerns me. its bound to conteract alot of the value associated with the insulation. i only noticed this becase the socket hasn't been put on this one yet. most (all I think) are on the rest. Its probabaly a problem with all the rest of them too.
    Its frustrating when you know little about construction and these sorts of things.
    Thanks again for your replies
    Sharon


  • #6
    mickdw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,794 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Ok so its a block house. This air is not coming from the cavity. Its coming down the slieve that the electric wire comes from the attic in. Is your house a single storey or Two storey or dormer or what?
    If is a single storey, it will be simple for the builder to go to the attic and seal the small gap between the wire and the slieve for each socket and switch.
    You can be sure all the electrical fitting are letting in air also but jut no so obvious when face is fitted to socket.
    Another place to check is under the window boards internally as air can get in here also in a typical construction.
    Do you have an engineer/architect working for you on this project? At this stage, do your best to seal everything possible. Even if it takes a couple of men a couple of days, be sure to get it done


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