Choosing Cavity Wall Installers

A good quality cavity wall installer should provide the right solution for your home and ensure it is installed correctly. Poor installations can cause moisture problems, resulting in mould growth and a reduction in your energy efficiency. In some cases the insulation can even be attracting moisture from outside the property. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of this.

Firstly, only choose an installer that is registered with one of the professional bodies like Kiwa CWI or NIA, and that holds a CIGA 25-year guarantee for your peace of mind. Make sure they carry out a pre-installation assessment to check that the walls are suitable for installation and that their work meets stringent technical standards.

In the UK, it is estimated that about 2/3 of homes cavity wall installers built after 1930s have a cavity between the two’skins’ of brick and mortar which can be filled with an insulating material to stop heat escaping through your walls. If you are not sure whether your house has cavity walls, you can find out by looking at the bricks – if they all show only their long sides (as opposed to alternating long and short ones) it is likely that you have cavity walls.

Cavity wall insulation is cost effective and the typical household should recover the costs within five years, based on energy savings alone. However, it can have other benefits as well, such as reducing noise pollution, improving the strength of your structure and reducing dampness.

The process of installing cavity wall insulation is fairly quick and non-invasive, so you should be able to live in your home while it is being done. It may take just a day to complete the work, and you should be able to feel the benefits almost immediately.

When choosing an installer, look for a professional with plenty of experience and high customer reviews, as well as being accredited by a recognised trade body. The installer will be required to carry out a pre-installation inspection to check that your walls are suitable for insulation and that their work meets stringent technical standards. The inspection should also highlight any issues that might affect the performance of your insulation, such as pointing or cracks in the exterior walls or leaking window seals, so it is important to get these fixed before insulating.

It is also a good idea to keep a note of the company’s details, so that you can contact them in the future to check how the insulation has been performing and request any repairs. Some installers will also offer a maintenance service for your insulation, which can help to keep it in the best possible condition. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your investment and protecting your property.