tbourner Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 We've got an in-built larder in the corner of our kitchen, it's always been great, keeps cool all the time even in summer. Trouble was, our kitchen was FREEZING in winter, and the rest of the house never got warm when we had a few REALLY cold days. So, last week we got the cavity walls filled, and now the larder is warm all the time! The rest of the house feels better too but we'll have to wait till winter to find out for sure. So what can I do? He filled in all the vents on the outside of the house, not sure what they were originally for but he said he needed to fill them in, but there are 2 vents into the larder!! Should I pull out the goo in the larder vents? They were always blocked from the outside with some thin board of some kind, but maybe the goo has insulated it fully? What else can I do other than pull the walls down and put a big fridge in the corner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 A couple of pics would be useful Trev to explain the location of the vents. The vents seem to be the answer to this problem but the fact that cavity insulation has been used throughout will likely change the temperature of the larder for good - (even with the vents reopened). We have an old house (with Larder) but I haven't gone down the cavity wall insulation yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lover Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 You shouldn't block up air vents especially if you have gas appliances in the house, can be very dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 whats a larder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'm guessing this thread started during the War. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyP Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 whats a larder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg93/supra68/2105.jpg Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 A larder is a cool area for storing food prior to use. Larders were commonplace in houses before the widespread use of the refrigerator. What's so funny? No pics, can get some. I would have thought the man doing the cavities knew what he was doing, so I'm sure the vents aren't needed. Most were boarded anyway, only the flues in the fireplace are open (in fact I need to install a new vent in the bedroom fireplace). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I'd thought that any room in a house without heating and a door on it (cupboard), would be a bit colder than the rest of the house anyway. If you fill the cavities with foam and the new insulation puts paid to that convenience. You need to get a bigger fridge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 We looked into wall cavity insulation and came to the conclusion that the builders leave a cavity for a good reason, specifically that water cannot cross the gap, so you don't get damp coming through from the outside. The theory of the insulation is fine - fill the gap with something to reflect the heat inwards, and also plug any holes to the outside (vents), but if it was such a great idea, why don't they do it during the original build? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 I thought they did now? Or at least had other measures to deal with heat loss. Mine's an old house and wouldn't get over 16 degrees on cold days!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr lover Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 What's so funny? No pics, can get some. I would have thought the man doing the cavities knew what he was doing, so I'm sure the vents aren't needed. Most were boarded anyway, only the flues in the fireplace are open (in fact I need to install a new vent in the bedroom fireplace). He is wrong mate, block them up is against the law, http://www.ubbink.co.uk/dmv/design_guidance/building_regs.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted June 12, 2008 Author Share Posted June 12, 2008 hmmm. It might be something to do with the wool not being able to get wet when first installed - I think he mentioned something like that. He said it's biodegradable which didn't make sense to me. this page suggests it's still a good idea, but doesn't mention vents. Would the vents be open to the cavity? Or would they be a 'tunnel' through both skins? So could I take out the goo and be done with it or will weather then penetrate to the wool in the walls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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