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The sketch shows a dwelling house which was built over 40 years ago - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 2 - 2015
Question 2
The sketch shows a dwelling house which was built over 40 years ago. The external wall is a 300 mm concrete block wall with a 100 mm cavity. There is no insulation i... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The sketch shows a dwelling house which was built over 40 years ago - Leaving Cert Construction Studies - Question 2 - 2015
Step 1
Filling the cavity with insulation
Answer
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Preparation of the Wall: Ensure that the wall is free of damp and that any necessary repairs are carried out.
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Drilling Holes: Drill holes of 22 mm diameter into the external leaf at specified intervals, usually every 800 mm horizontally and 1350 mm vertically.
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Special Care: Take precautions at damp proof courses, at the heads of windows and doors, to prevent water ingress.
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Pumping Insulation: Use a suitable insulation material to pump into the cavity through the drilled holes. Make sure to fill the cavity evenly.
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Sealing Holes: After insulation, seal the drilled holes with a suitable coating of glue to maintain integrity and there should be no exposed spaces.
Step 2
Adding an external system of insulation to the wall
Answer
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Installing Insulation Boards: Fix the first row of insulation board B to the wall using special adhesive. Ensure the boards fit tightly to minimize thermal bridging.
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Mechanical Fixing: Use mechanical fixings to secure each board in place. The number of fixings typically depends on the board size.
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Overlapping Boards: Ensure that all rows of insulation are staggered in position to enhance stability.
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Finishing the Install: Complete the installation by applying a suitable finish coat to the boards to protect from weather and enhance aesthetics.
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Final Inspection: Review the completed installation for any gaps or areas that may need additional insulation or sealing.
Step 3
Discuss two advantages of insulating the external walls of the house
Answer
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Energy Efficiency: Insulating the external walls significantly reduces heat loss, ensuring that the home remains warm with less energy consumption. This in turn lowers heating costs and enhances environmental sustainability.
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Improved Comfort: A well-insulated house creates a stable internal temperature, which improves the overall comfort for occupants by eliminating cold spots and drafts.