Retrofit Installation
Pumped cavity wall insulation can be installed in existing homes. If there is no wall insulation, we can fill the cavity with bead and if there is existing insulation we can fill the remaining cavity.
Our surveyor will carry out a borescope test on your property to ensure a cavity is present and the walls are suitable for cavity wall insulation. While carrying the survey our surveyor will establish your ventilation requirements needed to comply with current building regulations. Advice can also be given on available grants and the application process. Further information is available in our grant section.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY HOUSE IS SUITABLE FOR CAVITY WALL INSULATION?
- Check meter box. You can determine the construction of the property by checking inside your meter box. Where the power cable enters the meter box, it may be possible to see into the cavity. At this point it should be possible to determine whether it is a solid wall, cavity block wall or cavity wall with or without sheets. It’s only possible to pump a cavity wall. If it’s not a cavity wall please see external/internal insulation (LINK) for further options.
- 9” hollow/ cavity block cannot facilitate pumping of cavity wall insulation.
9” cavity block
- Similar house type. If other houses in the area/estate have had their walls pumped with bead, then your house should be suitable. We can check our database for similar houses in your area.
- Attic view. Sometimes the cavity may be exposed in the attic at the eaves or at the gables where you can check the walls for suitability.
- Vents: If you unscrew a wall vent you might be able to see if there is a cavity in your wall.
New Build Installation
Pumped cavity wall insulation is one of the most popular methods of wall insulation for new build constructions. The pump method offers great flexibility as any size cavity constructed can be filled ranging from 80mm to 300mm. Current mandatory U-values can easily be achieved.
METHOD OF INSTALLATION:
When insulating the building, the operatives follow the NSAI and manufacturers drill pattern1. This is to ensure that the cavities are fully filled. The holes are drilled into the external walls of the building. These holes are approximately the size of a one euro coin (22mm). Silver Bead along with an adhesive is pumped under pressure into the cavity.
All holes are patched by operatives after the pumping is complete. This is done by mixing different colour dyes with mortar to closely match the existing finish of the house.
Benefits of pumped insulation versus Board insulation:
The Reality of Board Installation
On site imperfect conditions exist, leading to imperfect installation of the board, including:
- No two blocks are ever perfectly in line and truly plumb
- Mortar protruding between block joints
- Boards unevenly cut with knife or hand saw on-site
- Boards not properly jointed
- Boards not taped
- No trim or gaps at window
Performance of Bonded Bead
- The efficiency of bead never changes – it will retain its designed calculation
- Lifetime performance in excess of 50 years
- The bead provides even distribution and fills the cavity within the wall, leaving no jointing or gaps present
- The bead supplies a water barrier for the inside wall and is free draining
Performance – BOARD
- Completely reliant on a perfect fit to achieve desk top calculation although site conditions may not be perfect
- Board thermal conductivity = 0.022W/mK
- Gaps can lead to thermal looping and depreciate U Values
Thermal Looping and its Effect on U Value
- Desk U Value of 150 Cavity Wall = 0.21W/m2K
- With 3mm gap: 0.54 W/m2K FAIL
- With 10mm gap: 0.65 W/m2K FAIL
- If cavity is not sealed to outside air, gap becomes ‘slightly ventilated’ and bypasses the insulation board entirely
Conclusion- Bead is the Solution
- Constant U Value achieved and maintained
- Professionally fitted by trained technicians
- Construction of a clear cavity is much faster
- Contractor has no upfront costs of insulation, storage or wastage
- Cost effective solution
- Product and installation guaranteed
