Why is damp, condensation and mould still an issue and, how do I know if the building I live, work or learn in is healthy?
Damp, condensation and mould are unsightly aspects in a building but did you know they are only symptoms of a problem and finding the root cause is key to rectifying them?
David Bly, director of Cornerstone Management Services, an independent expert surveying company providing damp- and mould-related surveys across the UK for all building types and their use, explains their findings and how their reported transparent outcomes have served to provide cost-effective solutions across the industries they serve.
With fact-based data to date indicating 91% of all surveyed properties were dry, there is a greater emphasis on determining how everyday atmospheric moisture generation is managed in order to achieve ventilation adequacy.
Everyday issues
Extractors in and around open windows and/or trickle vents in wet rooms serve to draw air in and straight out rather than the room as a whole.
Optimum extraction is achieved with doors closed with a 10mm undercut between the door and floor finish to provide make-up air for the working extractor.
Ventilation adequacy includes the current operating efficiency of an extractor for optimum performance and maximum extraction capability.
Ventilation adequacy also includes efficient ducting to the exterior in a clean, clear and short manner to reduce the potential for performance and energy loss.
Such aspects should be available and compliant at the time of planning and building control?
Cornerstone has witnessed many problems with varying levels of impact and it has always been their goal to fully investigate what aspects led to its creation because damp is an issue and mould is a symptom.
Why is mould in one area of a wall or ceiling and not others? In simple terms, if an area of the structure is not at the same temperature as the remaining areas, it can develop localised beads of condensation. When warm internal air comes into contact with it, it results in a key nutrient for mould spores already in the atmosphere. Hence, mould in one location can readily release spores to travel through a building, especially in schools, workplaces and hospitals with significant atmospheric moisture generation.
There are recognised expert trade services but, is their installation impact fully understood for optimum performance and delivery?
How we live our everyday lives alongside everyday activities is a key understanding that can and has been missed when it comes to new build planning and pre-existing build improvements.
Every installed atmospheric management device has the capability to deliver its manufactured capability. However, its installation, intended use, location alongside contributory performance measures are often omitted leading to the issues witnessed today.
Do we need to press the reset button?
With experience embraced by a host of clients across many sectors, Cornerstone has sought to share its findings alongside SMART Knowledge with the aim of delivering readily accessible guidance for a healthy building.
Property health is a key issue being experienced annually across the UK, mainly during the winter periods. So why is it not so much an issue in the summer periods?
Having our windows open can and does serve to break the cyclic atmospheric trend in our buildings directly linked to reducing the possibility.
Windows closed in the colder periods is an expectation. However, there becomes a reliance on the internal atmospheric management performance and installation alongside key guidance for all occupants.
A SMART Knowledge Base, embedded in the new app, is upheld with simplistic step-bystep reasoning, likely causes and effective immediate solutions for these ongoing issues by providing key guidance from identifying mould and its contributory elements through to removing it with recognised products and processes.
Being able to readily embrace knowledge in a 24/7 manner can uphold the need for a timely intervention of such issues providing a defined approach to future healthy living, working, learning and personal welfare locations.
By definition, a healthy building should be one that does not experience any defects that could contribute to its comfortable environment with elements installed to manage the internal atmospheric operation with ‘adequacy’ in their delivery.
How we live our everyday lives may vary from building to building and many activities, while they may generate significant internal atmospheric moisture, can become less of a resultant inconvenience when supported with guidance and knowledge in a recognisable format with demonstrable occupant interaction.
Contact us now to learn more and secure a complimentary trial period for your team!
Specialist services available:
- Property MOT®
- Ventilation MOT®
- CPD damp & mould training
- CPD ventilation training
*Please note that this is a commercial profile.
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