Tackling Damp, Mould & Condensation Feature
Heating, Ventilation & Services
The battle against mould and damp
Are we doing enough to prevent mould and damp, David Bly of Cornerstone is of the opinion more can be done
W
ith constant year-on-year damp, condensation and mould in many homes it could be argued there needs to be ‘reset’ with regard to how structures are assessed prior to and post any improvements
plus, the ‘adequacy’ of internal atmospheric management protocols aligned to upholding a healthy dwelling. ‘Blame’ is not an option and can be replaced with ‘did you know’ since many
residents may not be aware of the impact of some everyday activities on the internal conditions as a whole. And, with this in mind, education in a defined recognisable manner could be
a consideration when commencing an investigation of a reported problem. Te mention of whether landlords are doing enough is noted but, they
may well be doing enough within their infrastructure plus existing knowledge and therefore, have a reliance on expert trades to deliver the necessary improvement not only in line with regulatory compliance but also in line with an expected outcome. Te UK has some of the oldest and varied housing stock in Europe and,
with this in mind, any inspections or indeed improvements must embrace the structural type, period, age and orientation as they can all play an active role in maintaining desired structural health. With a drive for Net Zero and many Retrofits underway, Cornerstone are of
the opinion such ‘improvements’ require a significant baseline understanding of a number of aspects prior to their undertaking due to a number of elements having to be removed and reconsidered due to their ineffectiveness.
The UK has some of the oldest and varied housing stock in Europe and, with this in mind, any inspections or indeed improvements must embrace the structural type, period, age and orientation
Fully recognising there are many industry experts dealing with structural
and atmospheric elements, are we also aware that in the absence of impact assessments, how do we fully recognise the desired outcome has been achieved for a healthy internal environment? Did you know the existing permeability of a structure i.e. its leakiness, is a
key recognition prior to any intended ‘improvements’ as it affects the prevailing atmospheric conditions alongside the resultant internal comfort of occupants. In addition, determining the permeability rating has a direct alignment to the ‘Whole Dwelling ventilation Rate’ such that, if we also sought to embrace Net Zero in the absence of structural and atmospheric understanding, could we witness more problems in the future? With new legislation calling for timely responses to reported issues, there will be a strong desire to embrace key knowledge for meeting compliance and
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMJune/July 2024 | 35
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