Cotton wool wedged into UPVC beams - why?

[QueenMolotov]

I'm posting here as well as Chat.

We have viewed a house we really like. It has a large conservatory that is part brick, part glass. It has blinds up to the glass on the roof.

On our second viewing, we noticed cotton wool beyond the blinds, kind of wedged into the UPVC beams of the roof. There was quite a lot of it spread out. There didn't appear to be damp; no signs of damp stains on the blinds, couldn't see any drips.

I'll obviously ask the agent why it's there when I next speak to them, but could you think why the cotton wool would be there?

Block out draughts maybe?

The fact that the cotton wool fits into place suggests there are gaps where there shouldn't be - damp, air blowing through etc.

If there's no damp it's a sign the cotton wool was changed about 10 minutes before you arrived for your viewing

Hmm, I thought to block out draughts. I do wonder why the gaps are there. We currently have a conservatory and I don't think I could fit anything under the beams.

We'd be moving with a 7yo, 4yo and I'm expecting another baby in September. I had a moment yesterday when I jumped up with the thought of WHY IS THAT COTTON WOOL THERE?!?!?

It's a rented property. We've paid to take it off the market, but not any deposits yet. I would ask why it's there, but I'm starting to feel bothered by it.

Absorb condensation?

Could be to block draughts or absorb condensation. Those things aren't so bad, I suppose.

I thought maybe it wasn't damp because there would probably be marks on the blinds if it was that? I like the house, but don't want to move somewhere with that as a main room, and then be unable to use it.

I would say condensation not draughts.

In winter I often wipe around under the 'beams' where the roof meets the walls - condensation can run down there.

If it was draughts - I reckon they would have filled any gaps with sealant but the cotton wool is absorbent and blends with the white upvc.

This is all very useful information, thanks everyone.

If it's relevant: the kitchen is open plan into the conservatory, so it is bound to get steamy in there sometimes. Do you think that makes a difference?

The conservatory has a glass roof, two full brick walls to both sides and a glass front.

I reckon they've blocked up the integral trickle vents that are there to provide air flow (thereby minimising condensation) and they possibly remove the cotton wool during high summer.

About this time last year we kept finding tiny bits of cotton wool at the back of our garden under the apple tree. One day looking out of the bedroom window I noticed a small bird going from the tree to under the eaves of the roof of the house that sides onto us. It would come out with bits of cotton wool, land in the tree, drop it onto our garden, fly back under the eaves, get some more, land in tree, drop on the garden. And repeat for quite a while.

Not sure if this helps or means anything but it might be that cotton wool in beams is a thing??!?

Perhaps it's something you could ask your surveyor to check?

Might it be insect fluff nests full of eggs? You sometimes see it in lofts and sheds. I think it might be spiders which are of course arachnids not insects.

It would be a lunatic way to try to block draughts. Expanding foam and flexible silicone are the things to use.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. It's very helpful, and to think it might not be damp or drips is comforting.

I will question what it is and won't pay the deposit until we're satisfied!