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Cavity Wall Insulation Problem.

  • 28-01-2010 9:48am
    #1
    ninjaBob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 256 ✭✭


    I have a 135mm cavity wall which was pumped with beads. Due to shoddy plastering we had to strip back all the reveals. Around our front door there is no insulation between the outer leaf and inner leaf. The builder put in the damp proof and then filled with mortar.

    So I fear that we may have a massive cold bridge from the outside wall directly into the house. I don't believe the beads filled this little bit of a cavity either, and I know for certain that the builder didn't use any board insulation. We will have cozy board up against this block work but I suspect that will do little to prevent this cold bridge.

    Any ideas what can be done? Is it possible to check all the windows from outside to ensure that they are also fine?

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    mossfort
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 609 ✭✭✭mossfort


    did the blocklayer not close the cavity around the windows and doors with l blocks or are you talking about the gap between the l block and inner leaf.
    if its just the 1 inch gap theres no need to insulate it .


  • #3
    onq
    Closed Accounts Posts: 435 ✭✭onq


    Few questions, Bob.

    When you say 135mm cavity wall what exactly do you mean?
    Do you mean a 335mm cavity wall with 100mm inner leaf, 135mm cavity and 100mm outer leaf?
    The normal cavity with compliant wall ties is 100mm - who specified the 135mm cavity?

    As for your house I think its a safe bet that if there's no insulation at one reveal there'll be none at others.
    What led you to believe there was bead insulation in the cavity - did you see it installed?

    Finally did you get an Architect's Opinion of Compliance with Building Regulations?
    If so was there a Schedule A Assurance from the Main Contractor confirming the compliance of the house?

    ONQ.


  • #4
    Poor Uncle Tom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,547 ✭✭✭✭Poor Uncle Tom


    mossfort wrote: »
    did the blocklayer not close the cavity around the windows and doors with l blocks or are you talking about the gap between the l block and inner leaf.
    if its just the 1 inch gap theres no need to insulate it .

    I disagree with this.
    http://www.quinn-lite.com/downloads/drawings/pdf/QL-TD-005.pdf
    Please ignore the trade name, it is a good detail and it prevents cold bridging. The insulation at No7 is essential, imo, and should be carried out in board insulation. It is not possible to have this area at No7 pumped.


  • #5
    mossfort
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 609 ✭✭✭mossfort


    id say at least 80% of the houses blocklayed in ireland in the past few years didnt have the 25mm insulation fitted. ive never heard of anyone complaining about it but i wouldnt go ripping out my reveals over it.
    if you have to fix the dpc it would be a good idea to fit the insulation at the same time.


  • #6
    ninjaBob
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 256 ✭✭ninjaBob


    onq wrote: »
    Few questions, Bob.

    When you say 135mm cavity wall what exactly do you mean?
    Do you mean a 335mm cavity wall with 100mm inner leaf, 135mm cavity and 100mm outer leaf?
    The normal cavity with compliant wall ties is 100mm - who specified the 135mm cavity?

    It's a block built house 1 rows of blocks on the outside, a gap of 135mm and then 1 row of blocks on the inside. (For the most part the blocks are on the flat to support the hollow-core.) This cavity was specified in by our Energy Assessor and confirmed by our engineers.

    I am sure there is a technical way of explaining the blocks but that's clearest way I know to put it.
    Poor Uncle Tom wrote: »
    I disagree with this.
    http://www.quinn-lite.com/downloads/drawings/pdf/QL-TD-005.pdf
    Please ignore the trade name, it is a good detail and it prevents cold bridging. The insulation at No7 is essential, imo, and should be carried out in board insulation. It is not possible to have this area at No7 pumped.

    So there is no chance of drilling into it and filling it with beads. Say for example if we drilled at a 45degree angle into the gap. Is it simply a case that the beads won't spread?
    mossfort wrote: »
    id say at least 80% of the houses blocklayed in ireland in the past few years didnt have the 25mm insulation fitted. ive never heard of anyone complaining about it but i wouldnt go ripping out my reveals over it.
    if you have to fix the dpc it would be a good idea to fit the insulation at the same time.

    Trust me the last thing we want to do is have to restart our reveals (we are currently on our 3rd attempt....). That said it's besides the point this was pointed out to the builder he didn't do it. So I was hoping to figure out a way of quickly doing it. Is there any expandable foam with good insulation properties or do they all break down over time?


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