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Cavity Wall Extraction Specialists

Is Your Cavity Wall Insulation Making Your Home Damp?

Failed cavity wall insulation is the leading cause of penetrating damp in UK homes. First Choice Energy are specialist extractors serving South Wales and South West England, free survey, honest advice, no obligation.

Free survey included
TrustMark certified
Photographic evidence provided
Response within 2 hours
First Choice Energy installer drilling a cavity wall extraction on a South Wales property
Book Your Free Survey
No obligation. We'll assess your property and give you a clear quote.
Photographic evidenceFull photo report of the cavity before and after extraction.
Detailed service reportWritten report of findings and work completed, provided on completion.
TrustMark certifiedGovernment-endorsed quality scheme. Work you can trust and verify.
Borescope inspectionWe inspect inside the cavity after extraction to confirm it is fully clear.

Does your home have any of these symptoms?

Failed cavity wall insulation does not fix itself. Left untreated, these problems get worse and the repair costs grow.

Failed cavity wall insulation — rotted, contaminated material being pulled from the wall cavity

Damp patches on walls

Dark, wet patches appearing on internal walls, especially after rain, are a classic sign of failed insulation allowing water to bridge the cavity.

Mould growth indoors

Mould on walls and window reveals is not just unsightly, it causes respiratory problems. Persistent indoor mould is often a sign of moisture trapped in the cavity.

Rising energy bills

Wet insulation performs far worse than dry insulation. If your heating bills have risen despite no obvious cause, compromised cavity insulation could be responsible.

Blown plaster or cracked render

Bubbling or cracking on internal plaster, or cracks appearing in external render, can indicate water movement caused by saturated insulation in the cavity.

Cold walls despite having insulation

If your walls were insulated years ago but feel no warmer now, the insulation may have slumped, degraded, or become saturated, and needs removing.

Insulation over 20 years old

Older mineral wool and polystyrene bead installations have a limited lifespan. Even if yours shows no visible symptoms, a free survey can confirm its current condition.

Recognised any of these signs in your home? Book a free survey and we will tell you exactly what is going on, no charge, no obligation.

How we extract your cavity wall insulation

The entire process is carried out by our specialist team. Minimal disruption, no mess left behind.

FCE extraction team on site with vacuum unit, compressor and hoses, cavity wall extraction in progress
01

Free survey

We assess your property using a borescope camera to inspect the cavity condition before any work is agreed. No charge, no obligation.

02

Drill and extract

Small suction holes are drilled discreetly around the base of your external walls. Compressed air loosens the insulation and an industrial vacuum removes it.

03

Inspect and confirm

After extraction, a borescope inspection confirms the cavity is completely clear. We photograph throughout so you have a full record of the work.

04

Clean and finish

Drill holes are filled and made good. Airbricks are fitted to ensure proper cavity ventilation going forward. You would never know we were there.

Watch how we do it

Our team filmed a real cavity wall extraction from start to finish. This is exactly what happens at your property, no surprises, no hidden steps.

Real reviews, real results

4.4 Google Reviews

"Steve and Aaron were absolutely fantastic from start to finish. Very professional and we were over the moon with the job they did. Highly recommended."

Nicola Plott
South Wales

"My elderly parents' home had been covered with damp and mould for two years. First Choice Energy were the only company not to try to overcharge them. The insulation was removed within 2 weeks. The damp and mould is now clearing up."

Efa Rees-Davies
South Wales

"Really good job removing old cavity wall insulation from my property. Quick to respond. The damp problems have already improved massively. The team went the extra mile and even cleaned up the windows and doors."

Kyran John
South Wales
Ready to sort your damp problem for good? Join hundreds of homeowners across South Wales and South West England who have trusted us with their extraction.

What people usually ask us

Cavity wall insulation can fail for several reasons. Some properties should never have been insulated in the first place, exposed locations, certain wall types, or poor-quality original installation can all lead to the insulation absorbing water over time. Once wet, it acts as a bridge for moisture between the outer and inner walls rather than a barrier.
The extraction process requires small drill holes around the base of your external walls. These are filled and made good on completion. In most cases there is no lasting evidence of the work. If the insulation has caused existing damage to your walls, such as blown plaster or cracked render, we will identify this during the survey and discuss the remedial options with you.
It depends on the size of your property and the type of insulation being removed. A smaller terraced home can typically be done in a single day. Larger detached properties may take a day and a half to two days. We will give you a clear timeframe when we provide your quote.
If your installation was covered by a CIGA guarantee and it has failed within the guarantee period, you may be able to claim from CIGA directly. Your home insurance may also cover the extraction and associated damage in some cases. We can advise you on this during your free survey. There is no commitment required to find out your options.
Not necessarily. After extraction, we fit airbricks to ensure proper ventilation. Whether to re-insulate depends on your property type and location. We give honest advice, if your property is not suitable for refilling, we will tell you. We do not push unnecessary work.

Start with a free survey. No obligation, ever.

We assess your property, give you a clear quote, and explain your options honestly. If extraction is not right for your home, we will tell you that too.

Free survey included, no charge
Written quote provided on the day
Photographic evidence throughout
TrustMark and PAS2030 certified
Serving South Wales and South West England
Book Your Free Survey
We will respond within 2 hours.