Fixing to External Wall Insulation

erooney wrote:

I'm considering installing EWI for my home. Something that I can't seem to find information on is the issue of fixing hanging baskets, hose reels or even a new light to the external walls after it has been installed. I understand grounding can be installed now at the planning stage before the render is applied but if I decide to add something in 5 years, is it possible to do so?

there are special screw in fixings very similar to the plasterboard ones but bigger.these are used for downpipes after ewi is done.I have hung external lights using them with no problems but I think hanging baskets might be a bit heavy and pull out of the insulation.there are 150mm frame fixings that may suit better

can i hijack the thread to ask how tough is EWI? is it easily damaged? i've heard stories that it can easily be compressed and pushed in like polystyrene boards. I've yet to examie a house up close but am considering it...

In regard to the 150mm fixings referred to by mick121

"150mm frame fixings that may suit better"

Can you point to where I could get those to see what they look like?

I need to attach an eye bolt for broadband. Need to bolt through the insulation and into the blockwork without putting any lateral pressure on the insulation render. Needs to take weight of cable strung from nearby pole.

Also need to mount small box, but can use the plasterboard screw type for that.

Another option is to use a 7.5 X 180mm concrete screw.These can be got in Screwfix bit it means buying a box of 100.Some large builder's providers may sell individually.

paddyb wrote: »

I had it done. For existing stuff such as satellite dish and side gate - they bolted some small blocks of wood to the house wall and the stuff was screwed on to that (it is plastered over so you have to know it is there). They put everything back as it was for me. Smaller items were just mounted to the insulation

He's past that point though

Calahonda52 wrote: »

if you don't want any movement, then rethink it because you will need a very big fixing not to flex somewhat

You'd probably need to open a hole wider than the fixing, attach it to house structure and then fill the gap with something flexible and not prone to cracking.

To resurrect this thread. I've just had ewi applied and for the small stuff fixing to the walls - external lights, house number and mail box special fixings like plaster board fixings, but with a much larger lip around the top were used. For larger stuff like the car charger and gates I'm using pedestals & posts into the ground.

My sons house was externally insulated and they cannot get Fibre Broadband because they refuse to penetrate the insulation. They also claim that they do not have the correct ladders to work against it.

I would imagine this could be quite common for many contractors.

A ladder standoff is normally used to spread the load of the ladder on the wall as well as stabilise the ladder. I'd presume that it would provide the required level of support for an EWI, but I'd expect that the finish be solid enough to take a ladder in some way!

Example:

Had my fibre cable installed last week, Actavo installers had no problems fixing the anchor hook for the cable and had rubber ends on the ladder.

That question you're answering was asked 9 years ago.

I have ewi 13 years now and I've been using my standard ladder several times a year against it to clean gutters, access roof etc without any issues regarding dents or damage.

My neighbour also has it and he taped lots of bubble wrap around the top of the ladder.

I was thinking of using the rubber that cow mats are made from. Grippy yet strong enough to be able to bolt to the ladder or plank on a standoff as suggested without ripping.

That's the one that I have and it's great.