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Captain Worm



Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Solihull
Posts: 969

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto Narvik Black
Free wall insulation - scam or not?

Just had our friend local insulation firm offering to insulate the entire house for nothing, zilch, nada Shocked

Now I know the government is doing stuff as part of kyoto but is this for real? I would have thought those on bens or the infirm would benefit first of which I am neither!

Should I be worried or should I just get on and get me for nothing savings on our gas bill?

Anyone else had it done for free? Or know of anyone who has... Should I be cautious or is this a genuine offer? Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Post #145885 16th Jun 2012 11:30 am
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npinks



Member Since: 28 Jun 2007
Location: Ls25
Posts: 20092

United Kingdom 

Shocked I have had numerous companies come into the office dropping off documents

One of my properties tenants had a door knocker and the documents came to me for approval, they state you can have it free, but any amount over the grant is to be paid for, they kept saying it would be free, but when asked for a reworded quote, the new quote was exactly the same Shocked

If you go ahead, I would read slowly ad carefully and get a magnifying glass for the small print Thumbs Up

I was going to pay for mind, but read too many horror stories of the cavities been filled and the property suffering from damp afterwards, it might be easy to put in, but to get the stuff out is a whole new ball game Neutral

Post #145888 16th Jun 2012 11:37 am
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taztastic



Member Since: 03 Feb 2011
Location: North West
Posts: 8652

England 

My daughter has had hers done recently for nothing, loft has got a good depth of insulation in it now, the walls were done but obviously you cant see it.
Make sure the house is well ventilated and damp should not be an issue, ventilation is key, ow many times do you see numpties on the roads when it is raining struggling to keep the windows clear, all they need is a little ventilation.

Post #145890 16th Jun 2012 11:40 am
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chicken george



Member Since: 05 Dec 2007
Location: N. Yorks
Posts: 13291

United Kingdom 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Santorini Black

my mate injected that stuff into a house years ago when working for a local contractor, the problem was one section wall of a was only 1 brick thick, so he insulated the back of the home owners sofa.


edit. it might have been damp proofing fluid, either way it was a proper mess.


british gas insulated my loft at a discount rate, certainly wasnt free though At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

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Post #145902 16th Jun 2012 12:12 pm
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Captain Worm



Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Solihull
Posts: 969

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto Narvik Black

Yer ive been looking for the small print to read but so far can't see any ... I've been assured it is free, the only thing that concerns me is that paper work says to produce any evidence of benefits if applicable Confused Question

It did occurred to me that what they do could damage the property somehow, although from what I have read it is likely a case of when not if with all this green bill stuff being passed. My house is just 10 yrs old (and no it doesn't already have cavity wall) and is fairly well ventilated so I'm not too worried about damp... But what of other things?

Some of my neighbours have had it done apparently... Think I need to talk to them see what they say

Thanks for the tips gents Thumbs Up Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints


Last edited by Captain Worm on 16th Jun 2012 1:00 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Post #145906 16th Jun 2012 12:44 pm
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ad210358



Member Since: 12 Oct 2008
Location: Here and There
Posts: 7464

England 

We used to suffer badly with condensation in the bathroom after useing the shower or bath in the winter, so bad that the condensation used to run down the walls leaving pools on the floor within minutes, had the walls insulated five years ago for something silly like £300 due to goverment grants, condensation in the bathroom vanished overnight.

Post #145907 16th Jun 2012 12:50 pm
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Lee Howe



Member Since: 21 Nov 2011
Location: County Durham
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Narvik Black

I think it probabily will be for free.
The gas and electricity companies have to insulate so many properties to meet with goverment "green" targets otherwise they are fined. The first people to be offered the insulation is usually the elderly or those on benefits however if there hasn't been a big enough up take in your area the utility companies still need to meet their targets so pay companies to insulate peoples houses.

A lot of people who insulate houses do suffer from condensation several months later, this is simply because the insulation hasn't been installed correctly. You need ventilation at the eaves ( gutter area ) of your house so that air can circulate from the eaves, up the underside of your roof and out at the ridge taking with it any condensation in the property.

When people add additional loft insulation they often take the insulation right up tight to the underside of the roof, cutting off the air flow. The same happens with cavity wall insulation, this is blown into the cavity and basically overflows at the top of your wall again blocking the ventilation. After having cavity walls done the contractor should go into the attick and clear away any overspill, to ensure that ventilation isn't restricted.

It's always a good idea to see if anyone else has had it done to see the quality of the work ect.

Post #145912 16th Jun 2012 1:09 pm
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Captain Worm



Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Solihull
Posts: 969

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto Narvik Black

Thanks lee Bow down Bow down

So even if they don't do it right - it sounds like something I could sort easily myself Thumbs Up Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Post #145914 16th Jun 2012 1:14 pm
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Lee Howe



Member Since: 21 Nov 2011
Location: County Durham
Posts: 94

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Manual Narvik Black

Yeah it's pretty easy to sort, just sweep up the excess insulation so that the air can flow. If you have a wooden box eaves this will have vents in the underside, make sure these are also clear.

Most people who go into their attick can feel a "draft" at the eaves and point it up with cement which causes the same problems.

Post #145917 16th Jun 2012 1:23 pm
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iain cooper



Member Since: 27 Aug 2007
Location: north of Glasgow
Posts: 1989

Scotland 2009 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Lago Grey

depends on the age/construction of your house if cavity wall insulation is appropriate.

my house built in 1938 would not benefit from it as it would block the air ventilation to the solum.

but they would do it free if I asked them !!

Iain

Post #145973 16th Jun 2012 9:51 pm
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julytourist



Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: West London
Posts: 409

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Rimini Red

If your house is only 10 years old and has cavity wall construction it MUST have been built with insulation bats within the cavity. It would not have complied with building regs without them.....Your loft insulation might need updating to comply with current standards, but not by much. sounds like cowboys to me........ JT Upgraded to an ex demo, 7 mth old, Rimini Red/Ebony Napoli Auto HSE on 28th Jan 2011, added roof rails, mudflaps and side strips.
Gone - A great 57 Plate, Auto SE, Bought Feb 2009, Roof Rails and Mudflaps added on purchase. Blue colour, anything but drug dealer black.....

Post #146100 18th Jun 2012 6:26 pm
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Captain Worm



Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Solihull
Posts: 969

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto Narvik Black

Is there an easy way I can tell if it has or not? I did think that for building regs it should have it but I am being told otherwise...

Think the are trying to get a quick buck of the back of an easy job? Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Post #146102 18th Jun 2012 6:32 pm
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julytourist



Member Since: 16 Dec 2010
Location: West London
Posts: 409

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Auto Rimini Red

Was the house built by a reputable builder, on a new estate? Or is it a one off, on a remote farm built by CG??
Did you buy it newly built or secondhand? Either way your solicitor would have required a copy of the Building Control Certificate and you should have recd this in the report on title provided to you prior to exchange. If you can track one down, you will have cavity insulation. If you have access to the loft you might be able to look down into the cavity and see the yellow bats. The salesman has probably just looked for the drill holes used in injection and not finding any is telling you none fitted. As a last resort your local council may have details of the BR cert though these are generally issued by private firms nowadays on newbuilds. Good luck! Co-incidentally installation of injected cavity wall ins needs BRegs itself! Upgraded to an ex demo, 7 mth old, Rimini Red/Ebony Napoli Auto HSE on 28th Jan 2011, added roof rails, mudflaps and side strips.
Gone - A great 57 Plate, Auto SE, Bought Feb 2009, Roof Rails and Mudflaps added on purchase. Blue colour, anything but drug dealer black.....

Post #146108 18th Jun 2012 7:23 pm
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Captain Worm



Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Solihull
Posts: 969

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto Narvik Black

Hmmm interesting. Just looked out my stuff and building regs was granted in February 2000

The house is part of a small estate built by miller homes, do no small fry CG build here..

Just tried looking in one of the vents but it is shielded off... What are the chances it could have been built without insulation ? Because the company have done at least 6 houses down the road now?!

Think I might be going up in the loft see what is going in! Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Post #146118 18th Jun 2012 8:39 pm
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Captain Worm



Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Solihull
Posts: 969

United Kingdom 2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE Auto Narvik Black

Managed to get a peak down one of the cavities and sure enough.... No insulation Shocked

So I guess it is still worthwhile?? Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

Post #146127 18th Jun 2012 9:20 pm
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