- Thread starter Six
- Start date
Lacan07
Member
- Messages
- 1,032
No, should be solid walls then at that age, what the hell were they pumping the foam into, the cracks? How on earth will you be able to get that out? Its impossible so not worth worrying about. It's not as much a problem if the walls are dry and not showing signs of damp, just make sure you don't allow the walls to get unnecessarily wet - maintain rain water gutters , etc, check external ground levels. I'm assuming the walls will have a dpc. But as others have said I'd be minded to walk away.
Thanks. I can't get my head around where the foam is either. I think it's between the stone wall and the stud walls? If that's what they're called? I think we will end up walking away. It's just the property we want in so many other ways. But, also worried about getting insurance if the foam stays 'in' the walls.
fernicarry
Member
- Messages
- 589
- Location
- Argyllshire
Scottish construction usually has the plaster stood off the external walls on studs. This creates a void to act as a capillary break against penetrating water, same function as in a brick cavity. The foam may have been squirted into the void through holes cut in the plaster. Its not a terrible idea but foam wouldn't be my first choice product.
Question is whether its a problem as the wall can still breathe outwards if its in good condition and pointed in lime. The foam itself should act as a vapour barrier against internally generated vapour. People do use vapour barriers in walls when retrofitting period properties so you're not completely off piste. You wouldn't in a cold roof however. Whether its functioning like that you won't know until you've lived in it for a while unfortunately. There could be cold spots where the foam didn't reach that attract condensation causing deterioration over time (a risk with any IWI).
Has the current owner offered up any documentation on what was done, what materials used, what post-installation checks (they should use an IR camera to check for cold spots etc.), guarantees, membership of trade bodies? They seem to have gone on the defensive quite promptly by offering to have it removed (although I wouldn't put much faith in that) so that makes you wonder about the quality of the install in the eyes of the owner.
Home insurance wouldn't cover you for gradual deterioration due to the effects of the foam so from that perspective not something to worry about. But those jokers will take any excuse to hike premiums or refuse claims so this might fall under "non-standard construction" in some sense. Would be wise to check that aspect.
Like I said before if you can get it for a substantial discount and you don't need a loan then its maybe worth the risk. It might even be quite cozy if the foam is doing its job. I think you'd definitely want to sort out the roof space but that could be done over time. The question is whether you can move it on when the time comes. Surveyors don't tend to check inside walls, or even be bothered climbing into the loft space sometimes so you'd only have to remove the most visible stuff to satisfy a lender (which is why you can't trust the current owner to remove it for you).
Question is whether its a problem as the wall can still breathe outwards if its in good condition and pointed in lime. The foam itself should act as a vapour barrier against internally generated vapour. People do use vapour barriers in walls when retrofitting period properties so you're not completely off piste. You wouldn't in a cold roof however. Whether its functioning like that you won't know until you've lived in it for a while unfortunately. There could be cold spots where the foam didn't reach that attract condensation causing deterioration over time (a risk with any IWI).
Has the current owner offered up any documentation on what was done, what materials used, what post-installation checks (they should use an IR camera to check for cold spots etc.), guarantees, membership of trade bodies? They seem to have gone on the defensive quite promptly by offering to have it removed (although I wouldn't put much faith in that) so that makes you wonder about the quality of the install in the eyes of the owner.
Home insurance wouldn't cover you for gradual deterioration due to the effects of the foam so from that perspective not something to worry about. But those jokers will take any excuse to hike premiums or refuse claims so this might fall under "non-standard construction" in some sense. Would be wise to check that aspect.
Like I said before if you can get it for a substantial discount and you don't need a loan then its maybe worth the risk. It might even be quite cozy if the foam is doing its job. I think you'd definitely want to sort out the roof space but that could be done over time. The question is whether you can move it on when the time comes. Surveyors don't tend to check inside walls, or even be bothered climbing into the loft space sometimes so you'd only have to remove the most visible stuff to satisfy a lender (which is why you can't trust the current owner to remove it for you).
generally wall insulation installed by bore holes was urea formaldehyde installed in liquid form which then solidified in the walls it was installed in quite a lot of property's before it was banned as a health risk to the young, pregnant mothers , people with health condition & the elderly, the only way to remove it was by removing the walls, its one of these government backed schemes that caused major up set as grants were available through the government to have it installed then like all good government's they washed there hands of it when the problems arose, if it urea formaldehyde in the get don't just walk a way run & thank your lucky stars you've not been lumbered with a problem that cant be solved, urea formaldehyde is very a dangerous foam,
wall insulation is just an other one of the building trades c-- ups that are big news at the time jumped on by surveyors then tend be be forgotten when the next one comes along but its still there if your old enough to remember it, really the only old houses worth there money is ones that have not been contaminated by modern materials
Flyfisher
Member
- Messages
- 10,286
- Location
- Norfolk, UK
There's a lot of truth in that and can be a good reason for buying an 'honest wreck', assuming the price is right and there's enough money available for restoring things properly.
‘Modernised’ the one word that stopped me reading any further when searching for this project…
Neglect and laziness beats well intentioned, or other motivated bodges…