Upstairs never gets warm.

Everest19

I live in a town house attached on both sides. It's built since 2006 (I think) and I'm the first occupier. I bought in 2014. Anyway the issue is even with the heating on full blast upstairs never gets warm. I've noticed draughts coming from the skirting boards, even on the inside walls where there is another house attached. Downstairs is warm (but loses heat quickly). This windy weather is making it very frustrating as the heating is a waste of time upstairs. I couldn't get warm last night. I did get extra attic insulation back in tje day but that didn't help. Neighbours don't have this problem. Anyone any advice or experience same?

listermint

You have open gaps. Possibly in your attic space or Via the wall cavity into behind the plasterboard. There are various methods you can do to solve airflow behind plasterboard board. Quick Google search will give you different examples.

Everest19

Thank you, I'll have a look on Google but it's been overwhelming me when I've looked before. Your reply sounds like it could be that so I'll look up open gaps. Clueless when it comes to this and none of the men in my life have a clue about handiwork lol

Wearb

First check that rads get hot to touch all over.

Everest19

Rads are roasting. Nearly have to sit on them in the bedrooms to feel the heat

Wearb

Make sure that there is good air circulation. No clothes or obstructions on the floor near them, or over them. Be sure the airways through the rads aren't all dusty.

Everest19

Absolutely no obstruction around any rad. They are hot to the touch too. I think the issue is the draught which is coming from under the skirting boards. I just don't know what could be causing the draught. Is it coming from attic or elsewhere? Would a builder know what to look for if I got one to have a look. I did have an insulation company out before who seemed to think there wasn't any need to top up but would they know if there was a gap in the cavity causing air to filter down and out through skirting. Apologies for a probably confusing post 🤭

Wearb

If no obstruction and rads hot all over, then most likely draught or poor insulation. I am assuming that even if left on for hours, it's still not heating up?

Also after being left unoccupied for 8 years, who knows what sort of insulation/draughtproofing deterioration occurred.

Everest19

I think I'll get someone to look in attic and see if anything dodgy there where air could be coming down the cavity. Failing that I wonder if sealing around skirting and getting wooden beading would stop the draughts. The past few nights when windy the heating was on for hours and never got warm. Downstairs was ok though (apart from open hallway). My partner never feels the cold and thought I was paranoid but he's even beginning to see there's an issue. Thanks for your reply. Yes the years off being unoccupied may not have helped.

Everest19

Hi listermint, with regards your advice I took the board out from one of the fitted wardrobes where there is no skirting etc and I could see there were little gaps or holes at the bottom of wall where it looks like it wasn't properly plastered or whatever and there was a breeze coming through those gaps so I guess it's probably the whole way round skirting boards too. So I reckon a carpenter would have to take off skirting, fill all gaps and refit skirting? Would that sound like a fix? It can only help the matter. Sorry to be asking, just want to half know what I'm talking about when I contact a tradesman 🤭

sadie9

What I did with drafty skirtboards was to get sheets of newspaper and fold them over and over into thin strips then slide them under the skirtboard gaps. Worked brilliantly to block up those drafts. If you did it carefully, with a bit of trial and error you might be able to get slide them in right in so they aren't an eyesore.

Everest19

I will definitely try this. Thank you 😊.