Cavity wall insulation issue

[cyber69]

I had EON over today to install some free cavity wall insulation and everything seemed to go okay with it but I noticed that the polystyrene beads which they blow into the cavity have somehow found their way into the kitchen extractor fan and the ducting!

I've just spent an hour with the vacuum cleaner sucking most of the beads out of the actual extractor fan itself but the ducting is full of these small beads and when I look into the hole in the wall where the ducting goes it's jammed solid with these beads.

I've called EON but was told that they will call me back on Monday when the relevant department is back in.

I would presume that EON are liable to put this right?

 

[mjd]

How did they get them in there?
Did they damage the ducting through the cavity? If so, then I would guess they are certainly liable to put it right.

 

[cyber69]

There's like a piece of flexible tubing which goes into the cavity and then to the outside vent so I guess the beads have found their way in somehow through maybe a tear in this tubing which looks like the tube on a tumble dryer.

 

[Pabl0]

Either there was a tear in the tube, its not connected properly to one of the ends of the vent or the vent doesn't entirely block out the cavity.

A picture might help but you need to find out where they are getting through because believe me, they won't stop lol!

 

[Nightglow]

I wouldn't have installed an extractor fan to a outside wall using flexible pipe, it's always 4",5", 6" usual size of rigid pvc pipe.

I've seen several cases over the years where the polystyrene beads have escaped, kitchen units full of beads, in basements, even a disused chimney full of them.

 

[bobuk]

Why would EON be liable ? Little balls show you a problem of bad installation of kitchen extractor ducting, try calling your kitchen fitter.

 

[Mickie]

I'd ask for your money back.. ooh wait..

 

[cyber69]

The flexi pipe ontop of the kitchen units can be seen here

I've vacuumed all the small beads out of it and then had a look at the outside vent

I took the grill off and vacuumed all the beads out of this end also and tried to put my hand through to see if it was clear but found that the outside vent is higher than the internal so the flexi pipe in the cavity moves the air upwards and outside.

I tried feeling inside from the kitchen and don't think the flexi pipe was ever joined all the way through so the kitchen fumes are venting out into the cavity space and then making their own way outside eventually through the vent. I tried burning some paper from the kitchen and could smell the smoke from the outside so I know it's getting out.

As it's probably always been like this for years and now I've cleared out the extractor fan and it's working again (in a fashion), is it worth paying for someone to come out and try putting a replacement flexi pipe through the cavity space? or leave it like it is? I don't know if it is doing any long lasting damage by venting the kitchen fumes into the cavity space before they go outside?

 

[Mark A]

I dont think that is the correct pipe to use inside a cavity as it tears far too easily. I'd definitely get it replaced as you dont want warm moist air venting into the cavity with all the insulation in there.

Also depending how much of the insulation has been lost, there may now be an air pocket in the insulation,. so it could do with being topped back up.


Its a nightmare when we replace windows on houses that have had polystyrene insulation and the cavitys aren't closed. The whole street looks like Narnia within ten minutes.

 

[cyber69]

I'm tempted to try and replace the tubing myself but really want the job doing properly. What sort of tradesman would I have to call for this kind of job?

 

[Nightglow]

Its a nightmare when we replace windows on houses that have had polystyrene insulation and the cavitys aren't closed. The whole street looks like Narnia within ten minutes.

Many years ago, I worked on a old cottage opening a bricked up a large fireplace, about 6' wide, & several feet in depth, the whole room ended up waist deep with polystyrene insulation.

The other adjoining two cottages had been rebuilt & knocked in to one, & the owner had polystyrene insulation put in the loft & cavity walls, there were holes in the chimney wall, so most of the insulation ended up in there instead.

Took hours to clear up the mess.

 

[Cosmic182]

Pain in the **** never understand why some builders never close their cavities now. (although you dont use blow in on a new build, some still don't close) It's so simple to return them with your block work then put your insulated dpc up or even with them thermal cavity closers. As Mark.A says, you can always guarantee a fun time trying to keep on top of cleaning it up once you've opened it up. Ducting/extractor / airvent should always be done in 4"+ PVC )soilpipe etc. no wonder it's gone everywhere using a flexi hose, especially if its ripped. Can't really complain to the company as you can't see through the walls to see these issues. Any builder could replace the ducting to PVC square for you. you could do it! just tape the joints up too. Simple.

 

[LiGhTfasT]

Never even crossed my mind with cavity wall insulation and window replacement, i've just replaced my kitchen and extractor and would have been a nightmare if the wall was full of this stuff.

Way to much hassle over the years for whats its saving.

 

[Fuzz]

I'd probably take the outside vent off the wall and trowel in some putty or insta cement to seal the cavity and then put the vent back on. No need to mess about with pipework and no need to keep cleaning up balls of styrene.

 

[deuse]

Why would EON be liable ? Little balls show you a problem of bad installation of kitchen extractor ducting, try calling your kitchen fitter.

The installer is supposed to seal off any air bricks\extractor\flu the top of the brick work\cavity inside the loft to stop the insulation coming out.

To the OP when they come back out make sure they re-fill all around the vent or you will have damp problems later.