Q: Hi, I just

Ive full survey report for building a house I am interested in purchasing. However, it mentions the existence of cavity wall insulation, but not the type (eg foam, etc.)

I have been told (by a friend) that if the foam is based, than to the good as there are health problems related to such insulation (and can not be deleted if it is stuck to a wall expansion foam). These foam-based insulation are now banned (I think so) .

Im no expert in this matter (so I asked my friend for an opinion, which is also not an expert), and would any input from members of the Forum questions about this issue. I have the EA for some information about the nature of the insulation and also whether a warranty / documentation – Im back.

Thanks, Ash heard

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A:Thanks guy. I rang CIGA who were able to provide the required info. It is wool (rock/fibreglass?) and is still under warranty. The installer have gone out of business.

Thanks to all for all the help.

Ash

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A:I sent an email to Bury Council to enquire about this and have had a reply which states the insulation was installed on 30/05/01.

However, it did not mention what 'type' of insulation is installed or 'who' installed it, even though I specifically asked for this information in my email. But looking at the year of installation, it is unlikely that it'll be the 'nasty' foam stuff (or I hope so).

I'll give them a ring to see if they can provide more info (which I guess they should have if they can tell me the install date etc. – I presume installers have to register with the local authority after installation)?

As it is after 1995 you should contact CIGA. They should be able to help….

01525 853300

http://www.ciga.co.uk/

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A:I sent an email to Bury Council to enquire about this and have had a reply which states the insulation was installed in 2001.

However, it did not mention what 'type' of insulation is installed or 'who' installed it, even though I specifically asked for this information in my email. But looking at the year of installation, it is unlikely that it'll be the 'nasty' foam stuff (or I hope so).

I'll give them a ring to see if they can provide more info (which I guess they should have if they can tell me the install date etc. – I presume installers have to register with the local authority after installation)?

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A:The house is in Prestwich which is currently under the control of Bury Council but I guess I need to contact Manchester City Council as (I think) it used to be under their control until the boundary changes a while ago.

Maybe someone can correct on that?

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A:Thanks for your reply – buts its a house I'm trying to buy and the vendor is saying they've lost information about who installed it and what type was installed.

Can I still ask, as its a house built in 1948?

I have just the same problem, I have found who installed it and when via the Local Building Control Office but they don't know which product was used. Have asked the installers but they don't know either as is not on the computer system.

Contact the Local Building Control Office where the house you are buying and ask them when it was installed and by who and then try and contact the installers.

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A:Cavity wall insulation has been a controlled activity under the Building Regulations since October 1975, your Local Building Control Office (where you pay your Community Charge) may hold a record of any installation at your property. This will provide you with the name of the installer, date of installation and product type used.

Thanks for your reply – buts its a house I'm trying to buy and the vendor is saying they've lost information about who installed it and what type was installed.

Can I still ask, as its a house built around 1950?

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A:Cavity wall insulation has been a controlled activity under the Building Regulations since October 1975, your Local Building Control Office (where you pay your Community Charge) may hold a record of any installation at your property. This will provide you with the name of the installer, date of installation and product type used.

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A:I've tried through EA to enquire about the 'type' of cavity insulation installed but have not had any decent response – just excuses – although my surveyor said it didn't look like the dangerous stuff (but he can't be certain as he cannot exactly remember).

I've not intructed my conveyancer to perform searches etc. and have formally asked that this question is asked.

Ash

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A:Found this, which should answer you query:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/37-9.htm

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A:I've found this article but cannot make much sense of it. It was banned in Canada and USA in early 1980s.

Maybe someone else on the forum can clear things up.

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A:Can't find anything on google about health implications of foam based cavity wall insulation, but since the foam is encapsulated between the block inner leaf and brick outer leaf, what risks can there be?

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