Mould and Condensation
In addition to affecting the appearance and structure of your property, mould growth is recognised as being detrimental to health. People who have asthma and associated respiratory illnesses may experience heightened symptoms. That’s why it’s important to remove and prevent damp and mould from developing to protect everyone in your home or commercial property.
Causes of Mould
Mould is caused by high humidity levels within the home, which can be generated by:
- Drying Laundry Indoors
- Showering without a Ventilation or Extraction System
- Cooking without an Extraction System
- Poor Air Flow
- Incorrect Usage of Heating
Even as we sleep, we breathe out moisture-laden air, producing roughly the equivalent of 6 pints of water per person every day!
When there are high air moisture levels in the home, moisture settles onto internal surfaces on the walls of the home, including the interiors of wardrobes and cupboards. These areas are called “stagnant pockets of air”. The mould spores that float freely in the air around us can then settle and grow within this thin layer of condensed moisture. This often presents as black mould.
This can be wiped away using bleach-based fluids but unless the core problem is addressed then the problem of mould and its associated health problems will always return. Different types of black mould are categorised as medium to severe with regard to personal health issues.
Condensation
Warm air inside the home will hold more moisture than the colder air outside and the warmer the internal air the more moisture it will contain (R/H%). When this warmer air becomes cooler, (for example, after the heating is turned off at night) it cools and can longer hold onto the amount of moisture it has absorbed. The moisture then condenses out onto the internal walls and windows.
This is known as the dew point and is quite often incorrectly diagnosed as rising damp. This is because it can stain the lower areas of a wall, mimicking what a lot of surveyors will call “rising damp”. Correct diagnosis is crucial as people waste a lot of money applying incorrect remedial measures.
As a general rule humidity levels, within the home should be approximately 45% to 55% R/H. Above this, up to 65% R/H excess moisture levels can be damaging to health. Above this, approximately 70% R/H and upwards, mould growth can occur. When these moulds are seen it is important to correctly identify the type of damp which is causing this so that the correct remedial works can be applied.
Ventilation
We find that the improvement of airflow throughout the property will help tremendously with the control of condensation and mould. After-market systems (electro/mechanical) can be installed relatively cheaply, ensuring a reduction in humidity levels within the home.
Reduced humidity will mitigate and dilute moisture levels within the internal air so much that condensation and mould will be a thing of the past. All of our units carry a manufacturer’s parts guarantee of at least 5 years, with some even having a 7-year guarantee. We are manufacturer-approved installers for every system we supply.
Further Issues
During the night, air temperatures can cool and cause damp along your walls. The right ventilation systems can stop this from happening, and our team advise and supply you with the best options. We also provide loft ventilation, and we are proficient in dealing with both penetrating and condensing damp.