Downsides to cavity wall insulation?

[charlieb]

I'm about to start trying hard to persuade my parents to go with one of the subsidised cavity wall insulation deals.  The problem is they're the sort of old people who refuse to even consider getting a woodburning stove to replace one of three open fires because the fires look nice, and they take out half the ES lightbulbs I install to replace tungsten.   

So, I reckon getting a handle on all their likely grumbles about CWI would be a good idea, so I can preemptively think about them.   Are there any genuine concerns?   The house is a big rambling 1940's build, built by my grandparents and added to significantly in the sixties (I think) - I will probably move in there at some point in the next ten years, hence why I'm keen to take advantage of any offer to over seventies.  I'm anticipating things like 'they'll ruin the lawn getting to the outside walls' and 'workmen will be able to look in the windows if we have a lie-in'. What else might the rentals come up with???

Thanks
Charlie

[Richard Owen]

There were (are?) problems with cavity wall insulation where mortar snots on the wall ties would allow moisture to track across the cavity to the inner leaf.

A friend of mine in Oldham had all the wall ties on his gable end wall replaced under the installer's insurance because of this problem.

Haven't heard about it for a while so don't know if it's still a problem but I bet it gets brought up as an objection.

[charlieb]

By wall ties do you mean those metal pegs that climbing plants get tied to?  If so I'm sure you're right it'll get brought up - Dad is very into his garden, and housepainting a couple of years ago was a serious stress because the wisteria and roses all had to be laid back off the wall (they've all been put back up perfectly happily, though, using those pegs).

[StBarnabas]

No I/m sure Richard means the ties that hold the inner and outer leaf - the inner and outer wall in the cavity together

[Richard Owen]

Indeed I do mean the metal ties that hold the two leaves of the wall together.

[David]

There used to be problems long ago with cavity wall insulation. However these are the naughties, not the seventies.

One complaint is that the holes are visible. How visible they are depends on the type of wall. The filled in holes will mellow in a year or two, depending on the type of wall and soon be hard to see.

The workmen will use a ladder, how long it is depends on the height of the house. There should be no lasting damage to the lawn, but there might be dents for a bit (depends on how soft the lawn is when the work is done).

[Jonathan]

There used to be a problem with some forms of insulation giving off fumes. Your 'rents may remember that. no problems these days in that area though.

[rhys]

One of the main policy reasons for introducing grants for "the elderly" is because of the appalling increase in the death rate in winter & early spring of elderly people who, have suffered from cold conditions throughout the winter.
Now depending upon your 'rent's psychology you could play this argument one of two ways  Telling them NOT to insulate might encourage them to do so!!

[StBarnabas]

One bizarre objection and why I never put cavity wall insulation in my first house with cavities was that my ex (about 20 years ago) was of the opinion that if we had cavity wall insulation in people would think it was a cold house, therefore we could not sell it. My ex was very strange in other ways but lets not go there....

[charlieb]

I see your point Rhys. Too late I think, though.  I managed to get solar thermal on, but only in a roof V, so even now it's only getting about 2/3 sunlight.    Cavity wall will make a hell of a lot more difference to the polar bears I think.

[rhys]

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements/Home-insulation-glazing/Cavity-wall-insulation
Pretty much all they'd need to know is here.

[Paulh_Boats]

charlieb,

Obama's technique for selling energy saving to the public often ends with a gloomy prediction and something like "...and that's not the future I want for my children and grandchildren".

My Dad was totally opposed to the £3000 grant for an improved heating system, condensing boiler etc.."why do I need a new system, I've lived here for 50 years blah, blah"  .

However he would have done anything that helped the grand children in any way, so perhaps you should try that approach. They will be as hard as nails with their own creature comforts, but will have a strong sense of duty to the country and future generations. Just mention "Dig for Victory" and other hardships in WW2, the 50s and 60s, then gently ask them why they gladly did those things.

Then they might realise how important it is for the country. Food independence and energy independence is just as important to Britain today as it was 60 years ago. My Grandmother always taught me "Waste not want not".

-Paul

[charlieb]

So your suggestion is to get my girlfriend pregnant and thereby give the folks grandchildren to worry about Not a bad idea, I'll see what she thinks once I've persuaded her to go out with me... 

I'm gradually getting somewhere with most of the sustainability arguements (it's actually very instructive for an evil consultant who professes to understand markets for clean energy technologies).  Creature comforts isn't really the issue at all - because the house is currently so leaky it costs a fortune to heat it so they often tend not to bother and just go cold / burn excessive quantities of logs on open fires.

C

[Amy]

All you have to say is the building insurers, the BBA and all the experts recomend its the most effective way to save energy and heat your home. The method is tried tested and approved

The surveyor will spot any snags like snotty cavities, rusty wall ties, damp, condensation etc before they start instaling, the holes in the brickwork are minimal, the installers are well trained and monitored by the energy agency and other grant providers for their performance.

All work is guaranteed.

Failing that, send them on holiday and get it done.

[frotter]

Dont forget if youve got any open fireplaces that could even potentially be used, you will have to have a dirty great ventilation duct mined into each room of your already well-ventilated older property that contains one.  Genius. 
I luv laws, me.