The BBC One Show broadcast on Thursday 22
October 2009 reported on a property in Hastings which has
suffered problems allegedly following the installation of
cavity wall insulation.
In line with its 25 year Cavity Wall Insulation
Guarantee, CIGA fully investigated this case and does not
agree with the BBC surveyors findings. CIGA's survey
established that the cause of the problem was not, as the
BBC has alleged, faulty and/or inappropriate installation of
cavity wall insulation but latent defects in the
construction of the property which had not been remedied and
had therefore allowed water penetration.
CIGA undertakes to investigate all complaints received in
a thorough and efficient manner in order to establish
whether any problems were caused by faulty and/or
inappropriate cavity wall insulation.
In the case featured on the BBC One Show, the results of
its investigations and surveys are that the cavity wall
insulation is not at fault and accordingly that the
householder has no grounds for a claim under the CIGA
guarantee.
In the context of almost 4 million CWI installations the
number of complaints is tiny, and where a defect in
materials or workmanship is involved CIGA always seeks to
resolve these to the customer's complete satisfaction.
In the programme the BBC also stated that they are advised
that any house with walls exposed to wind driven rain
particularly in high places or near the coast, which covers
virtually every house in the country, or has porous bricks,
which is virtually every brick that is built, or was built
before 1930 and has narrow cavities, should not have CWI
installed.
This is not accurate, as in fact the vast majority of
houses are suitable for CWI. However, before carrying out an
installation properties undergo an assessment designed to
identify those that are not suitable because of their;
• structural and maintenance condition
• non traditional construction
• cavity widths of less than50mm
• obvious defects such as dirty cavities
• exposed location.
• overflowing rainwater goods
This can mean that in a small number of cases
householders must be advised that cavity wall insulation is
not appropriate and the installation will not take place.
In a subsequent broadcast of 30th October the One Show
reassured viewers by confirming that millions of homes are
suitable for CWI and pointed out that it was important to
use a CIGA registered installer.
We are appreciative of the One Show for setting the
record straight.
