ASK THE EXPERTS
MARK BRINKLEY is a serial self-builder and author of the Housebuilder’s Bible
TIM PULLEN is an expert in sustainable building methods and energy efficiency in residential homes
MICHAEL HOLMES is a self-build expert and Director of Content and Product Development at Homebuilding & Renovating
IAN ROCK is a chartered surveyor, founder of www.rightsurvey. co.uk and author of Haynes Home Manuals
DAVID HILTON is an expert in sustainable building and energy efficiency, and is director of Heat and Energy Ltd
Got a burning question about your self-build, extension or renovation project that you need answering?
Drop us a line by emailing homebuilding@futurenet.com and your question could be answered by one of our magazine experts.
Q The house we’re looking to buy to renovate already has cavity wall insulation. We’ve heard mixed things — what do we need to look out for?
BELLA, CHERTSEY
Check for damp patches on the internal surface of the external walls. These might manifest themselves as black mould, typically in the corners of the room but they can also form over windows or doors or behind furniture or pictures. There might be no black mould but patches that just look a bit damp, maybe a different colour to the rest of the wall. Whatever the case, it would be wise to ask a surveyor to check the walls with a moisture meter in order to give a more definitive answer as to whether there is any damp penetration. You might also ask the surveyor to
