Caring For Your Insulated Floors
- Tom Collings
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
British period homes offer charm and character, but without insulation they suffer greatly from heat loss through the floors.
Here we describe how to look after your floors after they have been insulated. The good news is, the Retrovive system is protected by our 25-year Warm Home Guarantee and needs no maintenance itself!
Installing underfloor insulation can dramatically improve comfort and make homes quicker to heat - with no ongoing maintenance required .
Understanding Underfloor Insulation and Moisture
With Retrovive, moisture is not trapped
With Retrovive, we pack loose-fibre insulation tightly underneath the original floorboards. We do not use a vapour barrier nor rigid foam insulation as we believe everything should be breathable to avoid moisture build-up and provide a healthy home.
If liquid is spilt on the floor, it will run through the existing gaps between the floorboards and pass through the insulation, dissipating harmlessly into the ventilated void under the floor - which we are careful not to obstruct.
The fabric we use to hold the insulation in place is permeable and allows moisture to be drawn away. This means that the insulation will steadily dry out by evaporating both upwards through the gaps in the floorboards and downwards into the airspace below.
Our cellulose fibre insulation material is treated to be resistant to mould and will
tolerate short-term moisture with no impact on performance.
Avoid other insulation methods that could lead to costly problems
Where problems could arise with alternative insulation systems is where liquid is trapped against the floorboards or the timber joists. This could occur if a vapour barrier is used on top of the joists, so that water is held in contact with the
underside of the boards. It could also happen if rigid foam insulation is used, which could have the same effect.
When timber is left damp for a long period it will develop mould and rot, so it is important to avoid this by making sure that any moisture can dry out. In either situation above, remediation work could be required to the floorboards or even the joists.
Professional insulation installers will have the experience to prevent this happening.
Caring for Your Floors After Insulation
Clean Floors as Normal
For gentle cleaning of exposed original floorboards, use a damp mop or cloth as you normally would. If your floorboards are exposed for that highly desirable period look, it's best to check that any floor cleaners are suitable for wood.
Dealing with Spillages
With any type of insulation it's important to be mindful of excess liquids as large spills could seep through the gaps between the floorboards. However, whilst best avoided of course, the Retrovive system will not be affected in the long term.
Address Leaks Promptly
Any insulation type will lose effectiveness if consistently wet. Furthermore, prolonged dampness puts your timbers at risk of rot and compromises the safety of electrics under the floor. Always fix leaks immediately.
Conclusion
Choosing the right insulation system is vital to ensure high performance and avoid trapped moisture.
Retrovive's cellulose fibre material and permeable supporting membrane are designed to be breathable. This means if the insulation does get wet from small spillages, it simply dries out.
No special maintenance is needed so you can enjoy a warmer, more energy-efficient home forever more.
To find out more, tell us a little about your project on our quick enquiry form.
