Requirements for Installing Insulation

Written-by

Richard Burdett

Reviewed-by

Richard Burdett

Updated on

Apr 21, 2023

Requirements for Installing Insulation

What are the prerequisites to having insulation installed in a property?

While insulation can help prevent damp from occurring, it will not help to remove already existing damp. Therefore, if your property is susceptible to interior damp it is a good idea to hire a contractor to eradicate this before installing insulation. This is especially important if you choose to install internal solid wall insulation or insulate the floor of your loft, as the temperature may drop dramatically, potentially causing damp. It is important to get expert advice on having insulation installed in your property in order to prevent any issues such as damp occurring. Cavity wall insulation can help prevent damp occurring but will not remove existing damp. Sometimes it is possible that lumps of mortar will be lying inside the cavity and this is one of the reasons for damp developing after cavity wall insulation has been installed. The mortar has most likely found its way into the cavity during construction and will rest on the cavity wall ties. Rain water will penetrate the outer skin and be absorbed into the mortar which is not a problem in an open cavity. With non- ventilated insulation the mortar does not dry out and the damp penetrates the inner wall. A good reputable insulation company would normally check your cavity walls for you to ensure there will be no issues regarding mortar within the cavity. The process for ensuring honesty about what information the company gives you is to ask for references form customers that have had their walls insulated within the last twelve months. You could also ask a drain cleaning company for instance to come and check the cavity walls to compare what information they give you. Planning permission is normally not needed for insulation as long as it does not impact on the external appearance of the property. Some instances where planning permission may be required is if you property is a listed building or is located within a conservation area. Insulation has to comply with building regulations when installed during the construction process or fitted retrospectively. If you are intending to install loft insulation as part of a renovation and more than 25 per cent of the roof is being replaced then the level of insulation must conform to building regulations. It is also required that ventilation is not blocked at the edges. The installation of cavity wall insulation is defined as notable building work under building regulations. For buildings that are not exempt from regulations it is required that a notice is submitted to the relevant building control body, stating the work you are having carried out. In most cases however, the installer will notify the building control body as long as they are registered with The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency.