Cavity 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.
Why this matters
Failed CWI causes persistent damp that is often misattributed to plumbing or roofing problems. Residents in rooms with failed CWI face increased mould exposure a health risk and a CQC environmental safety concern. Remediation requires specialist diagnosis before any intervention, as the wrong fix can accelerate the problem.
What to do
- 1If you have persistent damp on external walls in rooms where CWI is present, commission a cavity wall inspection using borescope investigation before any remedial works.
- 2Use a CIGA-registered or PCA-member contractor for both investigation and any remediation the sector has a significant number of unqualified operators.
- 3If CWI is confirmed as failed, consider full extraction rather than partial treatment partial remediation in a care home often produces an uneven result that leaves some areas still damp.
- 4Document the investigation and remediation fully, including before-and-after moisture readings, for your CQC evidence file.
Primary source
CIGA Cavity Wall Insulation: Guarantee and Remediation
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