Good insulation should leave no problems behind. However, this is not always the case. If an insulation job is not done the right way you will have to deal with a lot of problems that can develop over time. Usually, an insulation job is guaranteed to last by the company anywhere between 10 to 25 years. However, if there was a mistake made problems can arise way faster.
Any of the materials used for cavity wall insulation are effective in the long run. However, if they are not put in correctly some of the problems that usually happen are increased dampness, dry rot, mold and health issues. Since the insulation does not work anymore and there is a problem somewhere you can expect higher heating bills while you work to fix it.
Bad cavity wall insulation will be bad for your health but also for your pocket. Healthwise, the mold and the increased dampness can lead to throat irritation, allergies and even lung problems when the mold is inhaled for a long period of time. When it comes to the increased costs that you will have to deal with, these may or may not be covered by the company that did the installation in the first place so it is something that you need to be aware of.
The walls are damp
In most cases what tends to happen to the insulation is that water gets to it and ruins it. If the quality of the installation is poor and the holes drilled into the wall are not covered properly this is what will cause problems. Why does this happen?
It is no secret that there is a marketplace where businesses compete in this line of work. While customer care and the quality of the job should be the most important, some companies choose to ignore the building’s sustainability and the quality of their services in favor of increased revenue.
Moreover, dampness also tends to happen when cavity walls are filled in homes that are either located or built in a way that does not require them to be filled. Dampness and mold also tends to happen with homes in very damp areas and the fact that the insulation is either over-packed, under-filled, slumped or even missing or obstructing some areas can lead to problems, you can make cavity wall claims on a no win no fee basis.
Taking the issue to court
One interesting case that shows the devastating effects of a botched insulation is that of Kenneth Bowen whose walls started to crack and leak with dampness after a bad cavity wall insulation job. What made the situation get progressively worse was the fact that the cold spots on the walls lead to condensation which then caused mold.
The problem with insulation cases such as this is that businesses target areas of Wales that are not suitable for cavity wall insulation at all. Since Wales is in the wettest area of the UK, the risk for rain penetration is higher than in other areas of the country and the compensation process for these botched installations is an uphill battle.
