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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> External wall - cavity fill? What are these? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1709373852 Message started by Jeffers on Mar 2nd, 2024, 10:04am

Title: External wall - cavity fill? What are these? Post by Jeffers on Mar 2nd, 2024, 10:04am Hi, First post… If we buy the house we viewed yesterday I may be on here a LOT! Saw these plastic plugs which seem to have foam around? [gallery]Abrahaj/1709373655.jpeg[/gallery] They are low down on the outside wall. It is an old property around 1900 Thanks! What are they and do they look OK…any issue?

Title: Re: External wall - cavity fill? What are these? Post by woodsmith on Mar 3rd, 2024, 8:10am If they are equally spaced around the building then they are fitted as a form of damp proofing. The plastic covers normally cover the ends of a porous tube which, in theory, allows dampness in the wall to evaporate away. I have never used them and, from what I hear, are only marginally effective. They do get blocked up with salts over time, which can be cleaned out, and it looks like they have been partially painted over which won’t help. I would suggest having a very careful look for any dampness in the property and get a good surveyor to have a look at it.

Title: Re: External wall - cavity fill? What are these? Post by Jeffers on Mar 4th, 2024, 9:48am Many thanks for the reply @woodsmith. I presumed they were something to do with damp but nothing conclusive came up on Google… There are a few damp issues I found- as a complete novice I do have concerns it may be a money pit but there again may be an easy fix/ due to the fact that the house hasn’t been fully used and the owner doesn’t use the heating etc… will upload some further ‘issues’ when I have some time! Thanks

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