Cavity Wall Extraction is the process of removing defective insulation from cavity walls and can help solve dampness. Cavity Wall Insulation currently helps to keep an estimated 6 million properties energy efficient across the UK, however, this insulation can become damp due to damaged and worn brickwork. If this happens, you may notice cold spots on your walls or unexplained patches of damp.
We remove damaged cavity wall insulation material with minimal disruption and mess. Compressed air is blown into the cavity while we collect the damaged insulation from the bottom of the wall through strategically removed bricks. We use a borescope to inspect the cavity throughout the process to ensure no damaged insulation is left behind. Finally, the old insulation is bagged up and removed, while your brickwork is made good.
Cavity Wall Extraction is essential for homes where previous cavity wall insulation is failing and causing dampness. Prolonged damp can not only make your property an uncomfortable place to be but it can rust wall tiles leading to the inner and outer walls separating.
Your home is suitable for cavity wall extraction if your home has cavity wall insulation that has become defective and is no longer providing your home with the insulation it needs.
Once your cavity wall insulation has been extracted and the underlying cause of the insulation failure has been identified and remedied, your property will be re-assessed and if suitable we will reinstall with an EPS bonded bead.
We are registered on the IAA Cavity Extraction and Remediation Certification Scheme. It is a quality process which has been developed in consultation with the industry and ensures that cavity extraction and remediation is completed to the required standard by trained and qualified Technicians and work is subject to onsite surveillance by The IAA.
There are a couple of different reasons why cavity wall insulation may have failed and needs removing. Some houses are not suitable for cavity wall insulation and should never have been installed in the first place. Other reasons are that there is damage to the brickwork, the property has not been well maintained or later building works have caused voids in the insulation; this thermal bridging causes damp patches and mould. If water enters the cavity and makes the insulation wet, the insulation must be removed.
Then you must contact the guarantee agency and they will support and advise you on next steps.
If we identify damp caused by existing cavity wall insulation and we think it should be removed – we instruct the Insulation Assurance Agency to carry out an in depth survey of the insulation, they will provide a full report and will give an approval for extraction if it is required.
After we’ve assessed your eligibility for funding, your property will have a retrofit assessment survey and a retrofit coordinator will design a plan for your home. We’re not able to give advice until on energy efficiency measures for your home that assessment has taken place.