CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskCavity wall insulation (CWI) installed in care homes during the 1990s and 2000s retrofit programmes is now frequently failing, leading to moisture bridging, internal damp and mould. CIGA and the Property Care Association have published guidance on investigation and remediation.
Cavity wall insulation installed during the large-scale retrofit programmes of the 1990s and 2000s is now reaching an age where material degradation, poor original installation, or unsuitability for the particular wall construction is causing insulation to slump, become saturated, or create a moisture bridge across the cavity. Care homes converted from older domestic or institutional buildings, where wall construction can vary significantly across a single site, are particularly susceptible to CWI that was never appropriate for the wall type it was installed into.
When cavity insulation becomes saturated or bridges the gap between the inner and outer wall leaf, it allows moisture from wind-driven rain to transfer through to the internal wall surface, producing damp patches, cold spots and mould growth that can appear anywhere on the affected wall, not just near an obvious external defect. This pattern of damp -- appearing on external walls in patches unrelated to plumbing runs or roof lines -- is a strong indicator that CWI should be investigated as a potential cause.
Because damp from failed CWI can look similar to damp caused by a roofing defect, a plumbing leak or rising damp, it is frequently misattributed and treated with the wrong remedy -- for example, redecorating over the affected area or investigating the roof when the cavity is the actual source. This delays effective remediation, allows the underlying moisture problem and any associated mould growth to persist, and increases both the health risk to residents and the eventual cost of correct repair.
The Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency (CIGA) and the Property Care Association have published guidance on investigating suspected CWI failure, which typically involves a borescope inspection of the cavity to assess the insulation's condition and any moisture bridging, alongside an assessment of the wall construction to confirm CWI was appropriate in the first place. This specialist diagnosis should always precede any remedial work, since removing insulation or applying the wrong treatment without understanding the cause can make the problem worse rather than better.
While investigation and remediation are underway, rooms with confirmed or suspected CWI-related damp and mould should be prioritised for resident welfare monitoring, particularly for residents with respiratory conditions, and any mould present should be managed to reduce exposure in line with your damp and mould policy. Where a CWI guarantee is in place, the installer or guarantee provider should be contacted as part of the investigation, since a valid guarantee may cover the cost of remedial work.
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