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LowMagnificio1 Aug 2016 11:07Good morning,
I hope I have posted in the right subforum. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything relevant through the search function.
It concerns the purchase of an existing property. Overall, it would suit us very well, but the key question arises regarding the wall structure.
To give you the basic details: it is an end-terrace house with two floors, a converted pitched roof, and a basement. The living area is about 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft). The building was constructed in 1979. Since we are complete novices, we had an inspection done by a surveyor. Unfortunately, we are now facing a great deal of uncertainty about the wall structure, which the surveyor was also unable to clarify or resolve. There is no way to get a clear view inside the cross-section or anything similar.
According to the building specifications, the wall layers are as follows: 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) facing brick (calcium silicate brick), 17.5 cm (7 inches) lightweight concrete block backing, 4 cm (1.6 inches) rigid foam insulation, and 1 cm (0.4 inches) drywall. I have read that internal wall insulation is generally problematic. Our question now is whether we should realistically expect mold growth behind the drywall or if such constructions are usually unproblematic based on experience. And if mold is a risk, what measures would you recommend taking?
Thank you in advance.
I hope I have posted in the right subforum. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything relevant through the search function.
It concerns the purchase of an existing property. Overall, it would suit us very well, but the key question arises regarding the wall structure.
To give you the basic details: it is an end-terrace house with two floors, a converted pitched roof, and a basement. The living area is about 150 sqm (1,615 sq ft). The building was constructed in 1979. Since we are complete novices, we had an inspection done by a surveyor. Unfortunately, we are now facing a great deal of uncertainty about the wall structure, which the surveyor was also unable to clarify or resolve. There is no way to get a clear view inside the cross-section or anything similar.
According to the building specifications, the wall layers are as follows: 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) facing brick (calcium silicate brick), 17.5 cm (7 inches) lightweight concrete block backing, 4 cm (1.6 inches) rigid foam insulation, and 1 cm (0.4 inches) drywall. I have read that internal wall insulation is generally problematic. Our question now is whether we should realistically expect mold growth behind the drywall or if such constructions are usually unproblematic based on experience. And if mold is a risk, what measures would you recommend taking?
Thank you in advance.
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garfunkel1 Aug 2016 19:53As far as I know, rigid foam acts as a vapor barrier or retarder. If installed correctly, it prevents much moisture from reaching the exterior wall.
The key question is whether enough warm air carrying humidity can reach the exterior wall and condense there.
Then it also depends on whether the condensed water can evaporate or not.
Perhaps consult another expert. If the property is interesting, spending money on this assessment shouldn’t be a bad investment, and if you receive negative feedback, simply decide not to buy.
Basically, you can’t lose.
Interior insulation doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.
The key question is whether enough warm air carrying humidity can reach the exterior wall and condense there.
Then it also depends on whether the condensed water can evaporate or not.
Perhaps consult another expert. If the property is interesting, spending money on this assessment shouldn’t be a bad investment, and if you receive negative feedback, simply decide not to buy.
Basically, you can’t lose.
Interior insulation doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.
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