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Cavity insulation - damp walls

  • 30-08-2017 2:04pm
    #1
    Mad Benny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 581 ✭✭✭


    We have a problem with dampness. The detached house is one of six that was developed in the early 80's. They were cheaply built as a holiday homes.

    We had a problem with mould and fitted air vents. That solved the mould problem but the place feels damp. We bought a dehumidifier because the doors kept swelling up if we were away for a week or more. The dehumidifier does a great job but it fills up again soon after we empty the water. There is no end to it.

    The other houses don't suffer the same problem. Insulation was pumped into the cavity approx 20 years ago, before we bought it. I'm guessing that may be the problem.

    We were advised to get external insulation by a builder friend. It's working out at 13k after SEAI grant. I have three problems with that.

    1. We can't afford it right now
    2. The roof overhang is insufficient - in fact there is hardly any overhang.
    3. It may look ugly because of point two above.

    Any suggestions on how to deal with it?


Comments

  • #2
    HPT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 141 ✭✭HPT


    You could insulate on the inside.

    My house, built in the 70s had no insulation when I bought it. The plasterboard was just stuck to the cavity block. I removed the plasterboard and the plaster blobs that had been holding it on and fixed 8x4 sheets of insulated plasterboard. I went for 80mm insulation with a 12.5mm slab stuck to it.

    Yes, it takes up more space than doing it externally, but it's some of the best money I ever spent. When the sun is shining, even on a cold day, it regularly heats the house to at least 20 degrees and the insulation keeps this free heat in. :-)

    My brother is renting next door in a house without any insulation and the difference is really noticeable in terms of how fast his place cools down after the heating is turned off.

    Anyway, if your damp issues are caused by condensation, I'm sure this will solve your problem, but if it's rising damp, or you have a leak somewhere, that's another story.


  • #3
    BryanF
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 10,146 Mod ✭✭✭✭BryanF


    Mad Benny wrote: »
    We have a problem with dampness.
    1. We can't afford it right now
    2. The roof overhang is insufficient - in fact there is hardly any overhang.
    3. It may look ugly because of point two above.

    Any suggestions on how to deal with it?
    You can slove item 2. a decent builder can extend the roof to suit ewi without the use of stupid looking flashings.
    HPT wrote: »
    You could insulate on the inside.

    if your damp issues are caused by condensation, I'm sure this will solve your problem, but if it's rising damp, or you have a leak somewhere, that's another story.
    probably better to determine to cause of the dampness before recommending dry-lining.


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