Bead Cavity Wall Insulation - 2nd time around

gunnerfitzy

Hi guys,

Parents house is 35 years old, cavity wall and had the white bead insulation put in when constructed.

When new windows went in about 10 years ago this bead just poored out. The house is extremely cold now so we made enquries about getting the walls insulated with beads again.

I rang one company and as soon as the rep heard that it was done before he said that they would be unable to do it the second time. He said that the only option now would be to put insulating panel on the inside or outside of the house.

My mother rang another company and they said no problem with the 'rebeading' . They came out and gave a quote.

Would anyone know why one company would say yes and another say no?

Would the fact that there walls were previously insulated with beads mean that the walls can not be rebeaded?

Would anyone have any advice on if we should go ahead and get the beads pumped into the walls?

Thanks in advance

DiarmaidGNR

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

Hi guys,

Parents house is 35 years old, cavity wall and had the white bead insulation put in when constructed.

When new windows went in about 10 years ago this bead just poored out. The house is extremely cold now so we made enquries about getting the walls insulated with beads again.

I rang one company and as soon as the rep heard that it was done before he said that they would be unable to do it the second time. He said that the only option now would be to put insulating panel on the inside or outside of the house.

My mother rang another company and they said no problem with the 'rebeading' . They came out and gave a quote.

Would anyone know why one company would say yes and another say no?

Would the fact that there walls were previously insulated with beads mean that the walls can not be rebeaded?

Would anyone have any advice on if we should go ahead and get the beads pumped into the walls?

Thanks in advance

The company that said no misunderstood the problem, they thought you wanted more insulation, - not a "top up" on beads.

Also, after you top up on beads there is probably going to be no noticeable difference in heat. Houses with loads of insulation measures would have been freezing as well during that cold snap.

I'd probably get it done anyway, - depending on the quote.

gunnerfitzy

DiarmaidGNR wrote: »

The company that said no misunderstood the problem, they thought you wanted more insulation, - not a "top up" on beads.

Also, after you top up on beads there is probably going to be no noticeable difference in heat. Houses with loads of insulation measures would have been freezing as well during that cold snap.

I'd probably get it done anyway, - depending on the quote.

Thanks for the reply DiarmaidGNR.

The house was cold long before the cold snap. Every winter for many years have been the same. The cold snap recently has definatley made it more urgent alright though.

I explained to the company that said no the full details of the problem. He did understand that it was topping up.

The quote from the second company was for €1600 including additional insulation for the attic which has only 2-3 inches of insulation at present.

DiarmaidGNR

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

Thanks for the reply DiarmaidGNR.

The house was cold long before the cold snap. Every winter for many years have been the same. The cold snap recently has definatley made it more urgent alright though.

I explained to the company that said no the full details of the problem. He did understand that it was topping up.

The quote from the second company was for €1600 including additional insulation for the attic which has only 2-3 inches of insulation at present.

Very pricey! Price around a bit more, in this economic climate with so many builders out of work, you should find a good deal.

I hate to say it, but maybe the builder hiked up the price because it was a woman on the phone.
Very pricey!!:eek:

gunnerfitzy

DiarmaidGNR wrote: »

Very pricey! Price around a bit more, in this economic climate with so many builders out of work, you should find a good deal.

I hate to say it, but maybe the builder hiked up the price because it was a woman on the phone.
Very pricey!!:eek:

Oh ya! I nearly bet on it! Plus with my mother coming out with phrases like 'I know nothing about these things', I'd say the guy was rubbing his hands!!

If there is no problem with the topping up then I will get some more quotes of other companies!

DiarmaidGNR

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

Oh ya! I nearly bet on it! Plus with my mother coming out with phrases like 'I know nothing about these things', I'd say the guy was rubbing his hands!!

If there is no problem with the topping up then I will get some more quotes of other companies!

It shouldn't take too long to do, attic - a few hours depending on the attic. (but horrible work, - dusty, hot, itchy, cramped, dark, and access problems)

- a few hours for the beading as well.
The main issue with the top up beading is the equipment needed, - it is specialized equipment (that must be why the second builder said it couldn't be done, - didn't have the equipment, nor want to rent it (if renting is possible), and putting up new slabbing indoors or outdoors means more work for him)

MicktheMan

I had the same issue with my house. For about 2 ft all around (bungalow) the loose white bead was missing. It had been pumped by the previous owners. I contacted a reputable insulation company and they advised that the original bead would have to be removed first before pumping the new platinum bonded bead. This I did and am very pleased with the result. I was also able to thoroughly inspect the cavity. Hope this helps.

DiarmaidGNR

MicktheMan wrote: »

I had the same issue with my house. For about 2 ft all around (bungalow) the loose white bead was missing. It had been pumped by the previous owners. I contacted a reputable insulation company and they advised that the original bead would have to be removed first before pumping the new platinum bonded bead. This I did and am very pleased with the result. I was also able to thoroughly inspect the cavity. Hope this helps.

How much did it cost?

MicktheMan

DiarmaidGNR wrote: »

How much did it cost?

I was quoted about 1500 to remove the bead (if I remember correctly) but it actually cost me about 60 quid and a weekend. I hired a 4" core drill and did it over a Saturday and sunday. Most of the bead flowed out into oversized plastic bags. The remaining bead was sucked out with an industrial vacuum. I then inspected the cavity with a torch and mirror.
Mick

DiarmaidGNR

MicktheMan wrote: »

I was quoted about 1500 to remove the bead (if I remember correctly) but it actually cost me about 60 quid and a weekend. I hired a 4" core drill and did it over a Saturday and sunday. Most of the bead flowed out into oversized plastic bags. The remaining bead was sucked out with an industrial vacuum. I then inspected the cavity with a torch and mirror.
Mick

It's amazing the prices that were being charged during the boom!!! I know quite a few electricians that were bringing home up to €2000 a week, (some of who would have still been apprentices), - and bricklayers too!!!!

Pure mental!!

gunnerfitzy

MicktheMan wrote: »

I had the same issue with my house. For about 2 ft all around (bungalow) the loose white bead was missing. It had been pumped by the previous owners. I contacted a reputable insulation company and they advised that the original bead would have to be removed first before pumping the new platinum bonded bead. This I did and am very pleased with the result. I was also able to thoroughly inspect the cavity. Hope this helps.

Thats v interesting. No one has mentioned removing the old white bead. Does anyone know of any company offering this service now?

Thanks MicktheMan