Internal wall insulation in Handsworth.

What are Handsworth's older houses built like?

Most of the Victorian housing has solid brick walls, often around 225mm in terraces and thicker in larger villas, laid in lime mortar. Many villas have tall ceilings, sash windows, decorative cornices and suspended timber ground floors. Terraces typically have a front bay and a back addition with the kitchen and bathroom.

These houses have survived well for well over a century. The problems I see usually come from later changes, not the original build.

Why is my Victorian wall damp when it was fine for a hundred years?

Often because of something added later. These are the usual suspects:

Many people are then told they need a new damp proof course. Sometimes that is right, often it is not. The guide for people told they need a damp proof course explains how to tell the difference.

Which insulation do you use on Handsworth villas?

On old lime-built walls, my default is wood fibre boards with a lime finish. It costs around £3,000 per wall and takes about five days, depending on the room. It is thicker than PIR, but it handles moisture far better and suits the character of the house.

PIR fixed with PU adhesive, usually £2,300 to £3,000 per wall over three to four days, can work on a sound, dry wall, but I only recommend it after a moisture check. The comparison of insulation systems and the Victorian home insulation guide explain the reasoning.

Can you keep the sash windows and original features?

Yes. Internal insulation changes the inside face of the wall, so I plan around reveals, shutters, window boards, cornices and skirtings. Sash windows stay in place, and the reveals are insulated with a thinner board so the sashes still work and the shutters, if you have them, can still close where possible.

Where old lime plaster is in good condition on internal walls, it can stay. Where outside walls are being insulated, I finish in lime to match. My lime plastering service covers repairs as well.

Is my Handsworth house in a conservation area?

It may be. Parts of Handsworth are covered by conservation areas, and some buildings are listed. Internal insulation does not normally need planning permission because the outside is unchanged, but listed buildings need listed building consent for internal work. If you are not sure, it is worth checking with Birmingham City Council, and I will flag anything I notice at the visit.

Which room should I start with?

The one that bothers you most, usually a front bedroom with tall solid walls or the back addition where mould starts. In a large villa, the corner rooms with two outside walls are often the worst. Room by room is possible, though I recommend planning the whole house so each stage fits.

If you have a bay, the Birmingham bay window insulation page explains how brick Victorian bays differ from the lightweight bays of 1930s semis.

Do you work in Handsworth and nearby?

Yes. Handsworth is usually 25 to 30 minutes from Bloxwich. I also cover Perry Barr, Great Barr and the rest of Birmingham. Each job follows the same process: free home visit, written quotation, pre-start guide and a follow-up call about four weeks after the work.