Safeguard explains the process of protecting retrofitted homes from the harmful effects of Penetrating Damp.
Cavity wall insulation retrofit has received lots of bad press recently. The papers paint pictures of perfectly comfortable housing turned into damp-ridden nightmares following the installation of cavity wall insulation. This rush to insulate Britain, seemingly accelerated by government grants, has caused hesitancy in homeowners who should be retrofitting their older homes with energy-saving measures. Builders and contractors across the UK need to reassure homeowners that retrofitting their older property will increase thermal efficiency and improve the value of their home while remaining damp-free.
There are 28 million homes in the UK. It is estimated that around 19 million properties need some form of energy efficiency upgrade as a part of the UK’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050. For older homes, these necessary upgrades may include cavity wall insulation to maintain heat efficiency alongside other upgrades like renewable energy generation and draught-proofing. It is paramount that cavity wall insulation continues to be installed in older homes to keep homeowners running energy-efficient properties.
It is true that some homeowners have suffered from penetrating damp and mould growth after cavity wall insulation has been retrofitted. However, the mass panic around energy-saving retrofit stems from a lack of understanding about the reasons behind these damp homes. You already know that cavity wall construction makes up the bulk of all UK housing and around 70% of those homes already have cavity wall insulation installed, but the average homeowner may not. It’s time to bust that bad reputation.
So, who’s to blame for causing damp after retrofitted cavity wall insulation? Put simply – building contractors who haven’t done their homework. In cases of damp-causing retrofit, insulation has been rushed into older homes without consideration for the type of house or condition of the outer wall. When cavity walls get wet, they soak up moisture and trap it between the internal and external leaves. When the space between a cavity wall has been filled with insulation, rainwater soaks through the fibre, foam or polystyrene insulation to reach the internal wall. This manifests as a wet streak on the interior wall that harms heat efficiency, damages the wall and encourages black mould growth.
The first step to damp-free retrofit is to ensure the building is suitable for cavity wall insulation at all. Older houses are more likely to suffer from damaged brickwork and mortar, which makes them more vulnerable to wind-driven rainfall. All properties must be surveyed and appropriate repairs carried out to the brickwork and pointing before cavity wall insulation is installed.
Safeguard Europe is constantly developing new technologies to beat damp and mould growth. We know how cavity wall insulation should be correctly implemented and we know what needs to be done to successfully damp-proof homes. Three decades of experience of dealing with damp have culminated in Stormdry Masonry Protection Cream.
Fully water-repellent, its BBA-certified to last up to 25 years after just one coat. When applied to the exterior of a building, it drastically reduces water from penetrating through to insulation and keeps homes damp-free. Remember – only dry cavity wall insulation can achieve maximum thermal efficiency and stop penetrating damp.
Some properties, like single skin solid brick walls, may not be suitable for cavity wall insulation at all. In these cases, a hybrid magnesium oxide and aerogel insulation board like Stormdry EP-Board can be installed to internal walls as an alternative insulative measure. In combination with the Masonry Protection Cream, EP-Board will reduce heat loss and prevent damp in properties not suitable for cavity wall retrofit.
For anyone looking to manage retrofit works, our Retrofit Wall Insulation and Dampness CPD Seminar contains all the essential information needed, ensuring that the legal specifications of PAS 2035 and 2030:2019 are met. This free seminar can be booked free of charge for your company on demand.
For further information on the range of CPD seminars available from Safeguard Europe visit https://www.safeguardeurope.com/training-courses/cpd-seminars
For further information on Safeguard Europe’s Stormdry visit https://www.safeguardeurope.com/products/stormdry-system
