Condensation and mould

Awareness around mould and damp amongst housing tenants is at an all-time high. A recent Housing Ombudsman spotlight report highlighted the need for all housing providers to ‘adopt a zero tolerance approach to damp and mould interventions’. 51% of renters surveyed have experienced damp and mould problems, according to a YouGov poll commissioned by Safeguard Europe.

Moisture, such as steam, vapour or water droplets can accumulate in our buildings over time. James Ayres, co-founder and operations director, Lime Green Products Ltd, explains why considering moisture build-up is so important and explores what measures you can take to help drying out.

Moisture in properties

Moisture can accumulate in a variety of ways in homes, workplaces and properties. It’s inevitable, with two active people in a home estimated to produce over 13 litres of moisture per day, through breathing and activities, such as boiling a kettle, showering and drying clothes. This is in addition to moisture, as a result of driving rain or building defects, that can enter the building fabric in solid wall buildings.

To meet disrepair challenges, uphold the Housing Ombudsman Reports and assist the Net Zero journey, an executive paper is now available discussing how this can be accomplished.

It’s been a challenging time for social housing landlords during the COVID pandemic, especially with vulnerable residents shielding, making home repairs difficult. At the same time, landlords have seen a rise in disrepair claims made through the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. Meanwhile, the Housing Ombudsman is investigating damp and mould issues, recognizing the particularly significant impact both can have on vulnerable residents and those with respiratory problems. Landlords have a duty of care to residents, which has become even more important with COVID. But with restrictions now lifted, social housing providers will be pleased to know companies like Airtech Solutions can help them rid their properties of mould permanently. And as we enter condensation and mould season, now is the time to address any existing problems or put in preventative measures.

Leading British ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has supplied its Lo-Carbon PoziDry Compact Pro to successfully tackle persistent condensation and mould in a social housing property. The housing association selected the PoziDry Compact Pro for a flat which had mould in the bedroom and living room. The unit was chosen since it is the ideal solution for combating condensation and mould in problem properties without a loft.

Prior to the installation of the Lo-Carbon PoziDry Compact Pro in the property there was no ventilation. The unit was installed in the flat’s cloakroom and has successfully eliminated the on-going condensation and mould problem. This is not only protecting the building’s structure but will also positively impact the inhabitant’s health by improving their indoor air quality.

Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) is a tried and tested method of dealing with condensation and mould in the UK’s housing stock. It is estimated that PIV units have been installed in over one million homes since it was first introduced back in the 1970’s. Tens of thousands of PIV units continue to be installed every year and is often the first choice of ventilation for many landlords wishing to provide adequate ventilation for their tenants.

Housing associations and local authorities responsible for management of housing stock, along with their specialist advisors, are to be offered advance access to the UK’s first Ventilation MOT® which has been specifically designed to establish the adequacy, or otherwise, of the ventilation measures installed in an existing home.
 
David Bly, Director of Cornerstone Professional Services (UK) Ltd, the organisation behind the Ventilation MOT®, explains why social housing providers and their advisors are being offered first adopter status, “Inadequate ventilation, or, as it’s referred to in the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act, “not enough ventilation”, can be a major contributor to condensation and mould growth in a home. If a property is a recently built one, then there’s a chance that one of the recognised ventilation systems in Approved Document F has been installed and it can be demonstrated that there is “adequate means of ventilation provided for people in the building”. It’s a completely different situation in older properties which make up the vast majority of the housing stock and that’s where the Ventilation MOT® will prove very useful to social housing landlords. As a key process in the Property MOT® platform, it will let them know where they stand in terms of ventilation adequacy and what, if anything, they need to do to get there”