Cavity wall insulation - urgent advice needed

Afternoon all,

I've been having some damp issues recently and after contacting CIGA, they put the installer in touch with me who attended my property for an inspection. The results have come back and the installer has offered to remove cavity wall insulation from my property as a goodwill gesture.

They also advised that the survey highlighted some property maintenance issues that could lead to water ingress and that as a result of this, they would not be willing to cover the cost of any redecorating etc.

I got some conflicting messages as on the day of the inspection, the agent who attended seemed to be quite happy with the state of the repair of the property and made some comments to this effect - saying that I was right to fill in the small cracks that where in around the mortar and red bricks.

However, the report says that whilst they take no responsibility for the redecorating and remedial work, they are willing to remove the cavity wall insulation as a goodwill gesture. This is fairly contradicting as if they highlighted the property maintenance issues then why would they just 'offer' to remove the insulation if it is my fault?

I'm confused as to what to do. I can sign their form and send it back to them and the extraction process will be done for free - however, there is a caveat that by me doing this, the matter will be 'concluded in a full and final matter' - surely meaning I have no comeback.

Now, on one hand, I really want to just get the cavity wall insulation removed - but on the other hand, I don't know whether the installer is just trying to limit their exposure, so to speak. I really don't want for me to dispute this and then for them to pull their goodwill gesture - leaving me back at square one.

Has anyone else had any similar experiences? CIGA have asked me to e-mail them with my concerns around this but I have a very small timescale in which to return the paperwork. I don't want to upset the apple cart by disputing it and having the offer pulled but on the other hand, I also don't want to be too quick to jump at the first offer if there is a chance I could dispute this successfully.

It sounds as if the installer knows they might be in the wrong and are just offering to remove the cavity wall insulation so that is that and they 'get out' of any having to pay for the redecorating.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Typically, CWI would not be removed for free as a "goodwill gesture", but rather removed because it was installed incorrectly and contrary to the required standard - and building regulation self certification scheme.

A faulty installation would require the installer to rectify the installation (remove or replace) and rectify consequential damage caused by the faulty installation.

Agreeing to a free removal, tends to involve signing a waiver of your rights for compensation and damages. Anything with the words "full and final" is settlement of a damages claim and prevents further redress being sought.

Thanks, Woody, for your reply. I understand that they wouldn't normally do this and so hence my suspicion. Of course, I want the CWI removed but I also don't know whether I would have any room for disagreeing and then looking to get them to complete the full job of extraction and making good the inside damage. I know this isn't an easy thing to answer but when it comes down to repairing the internal damage and re-plastering, if it's just a case of treating the area around where there is visible damp, I'd be ok as this isn't a very large area. However, I'm also unsure as to whether it would be better to have the WHOLE gable end wall re-plastered internally and so hence me being unsure about this. When this problem typically occurs, what would be the normal process or route/next steps? I am happy to sort the issue out myself if it is just a case of re-plastering the section that has 'visible' signs of damp but I really don't know what to think at the moment.

As you admitted to having cracks that you filled, they can then argue it was a defective wall letting in rain, which seems to be what they are saying.

Unless you have driving rain soaking the full wall all the time it may just be some spots that will dry out now the cracks are filled, has anyone used a damp meter on the inside to check?

they can be compelled to remove the CWI if they didn't follow the correct procedure for verifying that your property was suitable (e.g. no defective walls; not exposed to driving rain). So if they think they might be found at fault they are perhaps agreeing to do that to save themselves a long-drawn-out and costly squabble.

Do you think you can prove they have additional responsibilities?