How can you tell if you house has cavity wall insulation?

Question

I have lived in a 1930s style house for around 4 years now.
It's a bit drafty and so posed the question.............

Can you still get grants to cover costs?

Answer 1

The house being drafty has little to do with cavity wall insulation - it's more likely that there are openings through the building fabric that allows cold air in. This could be ill fitting doors/windows, or some infill panels in the walls that have been badly put together.

Check all your windows and doors to the exterior of the house - check that they fit well, and if need be, get draft seals fitted.

As for checking if your walls are insulated, the first thing to do is to determine whether it's a cavity wall to begin with. Cavity walls are made up of 2 leafs of brickwork with a cavity in between them - this is typically 2 leafs of 100mm thick brick with 50mm cavity, (the cavity wall insulation goes in the cavity, filling in the air space with insulative material) so the overall thickness of the wall construction is no less than 250mm. If the wall seems thinner than that, then it's likely that it is a single skin wall.

Single skin walls by definition have to be insulated, the simplest way is on the inside of the building - behind the wall lining. Take off a socket and the backbox, and check to see if there is a layer of insulating batt or foam. There should be.

A simpler way to see if the wall is insulated is on a cold day, with the heating on in the house, check to feel if the wall feels cold to the touch. If it is - then it's not insulated.

Answer 2

If your house is of recent construction, it's probably timber frame, and that type of building is not permitted to have cavity wall insulation. If your walls are brick cavity brick, you can sometimes check them from the loft if the walls are open cavity and not covered with a wallplate. The best way is to rent a boroscope, and drill a 10mm hole in the wall from outside and do a visual check of the cavity. Most cwi companies do this as part of their survey, so ask for a quote.

Answer 3

You should still be able to get a grant to cover at least half the cost of the wall insulation and also inuslation for your loft from your local council.

Mine wasn't means tested, so I guess everyone is eligable.

Answer 4

The easiest way is to remove a switch plate cover off of an electrical outlet, then remove the outlet and look behind or beside it for insulation.
I don't think there are any grants for installing insulation but, you can claim it on your tax returns.

Answer 5

measure the thickness of the wall from outside to the inside plaster finish at a door opening, 250mm(10inches) or less you don't have a cavity, (common in 30s houses).The drafts don't come from the cavity they come from poorly fitted door frames/window frames & skirting boards, cheap sealers from your local diy store to suit each job is the best cure. Cavity insulation will only stop lateral loss of heat thro the walls not drafts. contact your local council re-grants, but make sure you have a cavity first. good luck.

Answer 6

Their are grants check on local council website, go outside look for 1/2inch plugs in brickwork if their are any you most likely have insulation

Answer 7

Check the pointing between your blocks and bricks, you will be able to see where they drilled to insert the insulation.
For grants
Try your energy supplier plus the link below

Answer 8

You can still get grants from your energy providor - gas or electricity.

Contact them and they will send someone round to survey your house for you. Job done.

Answer 9

My old ma got it free, it does depend on your status but the government may have a scheme as they are keen for us to save energy etc

Answer 10

grants will depend on your income status your age ect.