New build - no insulation

[MikeG]

......... general opinion seems to be that they will just pump the foam stuff in through holes in the wall. I'm not overly enthusiastic about that.......

Do-able if masonry construction, but........

If timber frame, 95mm studs, or 145? 400 centres, or 600? Is there a sheathing board layer? Is the breather membrane in situ around the outside of the frame? Knowing whether or not retro-fitting is possible depends on knowing the answers to these questions and others. Please don't rely on the advice of people who only have experience of one particular method of wall construction, as this is definitely one of those areas where a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I would listen to the expert on here.

That doesnae usually happen...

 

[Tim Hall]

I would listen to the expert on here.

That doesnae usually happen...

This is the internet after all.

 

[slowmotion]

Might be worth talking to your local council building inspectors, they were very keen on insulation in our recent house extension. But as above I'm sure you'll be covered under the NHBC 10 year rule.

Quite often, the LA contracts out Building Control to private firms. The private firms don't exactly have a financial incentive to kick up a fuss about shoddy work, or seek it out in the first place. It's a sorry situation.

 

[screenman]

All this talk of insulating brings back to mind the fun I had insulating between the ceiling and the floor above, there has to be an easier way than I did it.

 

[MikeG]

Quite often, the LA contracts out Building Control to private firms. The private firms don't exactly have a financial incentive to kick up a fuss about shoddy work, or seek it out in the first place. It's a sorry situation.

100%. The relationship is inherently corrupt. It can work, but oh boy, there are some horror stories out there.

Edit....actually, your post has a minor error. It isn't the LA's choice as to whether or not Approved Inspectors are allowed in their area. Approved Inspectors are an alternative to Local Authorities Building Inspectors, and the LA has no choice. It is entirely up to the person paying the bills whether they choose to have a LA inspector or an independent one.

 

[screenman]

Quite often, the LA contracts out Building Control to private firms. The private firms don't exactly have a financial incentive to kick up a fuss about shoddy work, or seek it out in the first place. It's a sorry situation.

See that happen in the build next to me. They got away with a lot of things that I was checked on.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I would listen to the expert on here.

Who's that then?

 

[slowmotion]

100%. The relationship is inherently corrupt. It can work, but oh boy, there are some horror stories out there.

Edit....actually, your post has a minor error. It isn't the LA's choice as to whether or not Approved Inspectors are allowed in their area. Approved Inspectors are an alternative to Local Authorities Building Inspectors, and the LA has no choice. It is entirely up to the person paying the bills whether they choose to have a LA inspector or an independent one.

When I phoned Hammersmith and Fulham about six months of demolition hammers comprehensively destroying a party wall, they pointed me in the direction of a firm of surveyors. I wasn't given the option of a Council Building Control employee.

 

[MikeG]

Yes, things were and are a little different within the M25. The example you give might possibly have come about because so many people went over to the private inspectors ("Approved Inspectors") that the council decided to shut the department down altogether. Most of the private inspectors started with councils, and have simply followed the work across to the private sector.

 

[oldwheels]

I live in a flat built in 1936 with cavity walls and we had continual damp problems. About 4 years ago we had the fluff type stuff injected into the cavity. Utterly useless and the rep. they sent out to inspect had all sorts of excuses for the increase in dampness. Last year this stuff was removed by blowing it out and a lot of it was obviously sodden and there had been clearly large unfilled spaces. Instead beads were injected with some kind of resin support. Shower of cowboys IMO but the treatment worked in my flat. Upstairs still has dampness but I think more to do with drying washing inside the flat with not enough ventilation. Both flats are definitely warmer. The beads appear to be good but the fibreglass stuff useless. We did not pay for any of this as it was all done by our Scottish Government.

 

[raleighnut]

A lot of people and councils use insulated rendered panels on the outside.

We all know that there's never any problems with those.

 

[Slick]

We all know that there's never any problems with those.

It's almost like they have thrown far too much money at it so can't admit it's less than perfect. It's like the emperor's new clothes.

 

[srw]

I would listen to the expert on here.

Most experts would say something like "That sounds bad and could be distrastrous. But I can't really tell without more detail. Here's how you can hire someone to come and visit and help."

Offering scary-sounding general thoughts without appropriate caveats, or any kind of advice without adequate information and a proper commission would be a disciplinary matter in my profession.

 

[cyberknight]

We had a similar experience with our last house, the builder bodged it big time and would not come and fix it, ended up selling at aloss and a month after we moved out the kitchen ceiling collapsed.