Why are dampness, condensation, and mould still persistent issues, and will Awaab’s Law contribute to creating healthier homes? David Bly of Cornerstone Management Services Limited provides the answer
David Bly is Managing Director of Cornerstone Management Services Limited, an independent surveying company providing dampness and mould-related surveys across the UK for typically social and local authority housing, National House Building Council, care homes and hospitals. Here, he explains their findings and how the delivery of reported transparent outcomes has served to provide cost-effective solutions across the industries they serve.
“Following a reported issue, our significant number of surveys to date indicate 91% were healthy buildings. For example, the structure was dry and not displaying any clear defects, however, where issues are noted, their rectifications are consequently prescribed with a defined expected outcome.
“Therefore, there is a greater emphasis on determining how everyday moisture generation is managed alongside ventilation adequacy and, whilst we are transparent in determining what the root causes may be, our clear and recognisable understanding serves to provide key knowledge in a simplistic format that removes blame and replaces it with did you know”.
The UK has a significant variety of construction types of housing, plus commercial and residential buildings, consisting of a myriad of construction styles, periods, ages, and most of all, geographical location and orientation.
Why are healthy buildings important?
Because how structural materials behave is also a consideration when reviewing buildings for their current health in terms of warmth and structural behaviour when faced with prevailing weather conditions that align with indoor activities.
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 atmosphere being fully operational and ‘adequate’ in their delivery.
It is recognised that certain aspects are either broken, isolated, or simply too noisy to operate, leading to periods of non-use that, alongside ‘normal’ contributory factors, including everyday breathing, cooking, bathing, washing, etc., can lead to noticeable issues that are not readily understandable.
Cornerstone has witnessed many problems of varying levels of impact and has always been its goal to investigate what aspects led to its creation for a credible long-term solution and not a ‘sticky-plaster’ repair.
For example, why is mould in one area of the ceiling and not in others? In simple terms, if an area of the structure is not at the same temperature as the remaining areas, it can act like a magnet for warm, moist internal air, whereby, when it comes into contact with the colder surface, at certain times of the day, condensation can occur and is a nutrient for mould spores that will be in the atmosphere. Hence, mould in one location can readily release spores to travel through a building.
As a company that provides advice to landlords, tenants, homeowners, and all building occupants in a language that supports their understanding, we encourage the delivery of queries that will be answered in a recognisable format for immediate attention.
How do we assess, interpret and manage damp, condensation and mould problems?
Generally, the indication of an issue takes time to develop. For example, mould can take several days to germinate and, even penetrating damp, takes time. Therefore, in many cases, the onset of problems is driven mainly by periodic trends that, if left unnoticed, can result in visual evidence on surfaces and personal items.
There is, therefore, a desire to share more knowledge about the fundamental aspects attributed to damp, condensation and mould for early interventions and a proactive action plan. But what is the starting point?
Cornerstone recognises that the introduction of IoT electronic sensor devices can provide the sought-after early warnings; however, recognising the cause of an ‘alert’ is key to determining a viable solution, and what was the property condition before their installation?
Property Health App
The team at Cornerstone have developed a unique damp, condensation, mould and ventilation framework for all.
Whether you are an occupant or a chartered surveyor, collect pertinent information with images through to detailed data capture, and we will assess and report on your findings in a recognisable format for immediate action through to submission to any respective landlords, legal support or indeed respected trades for applicable remediations.
This ‘go-to’ application embraces our significant knowledge to support you and your dwellings with a timely support mechanism in full compliance with Awaab’s Law.
Being able to readily embrace knowledge in a 24/7 manner can uphold the need for timely intervention of such issues while providing SMART Knowledge for future healthy living, working, learning and recovering locations.
Why a damp, condensation, mould and ventilation framework?
Because the framework is heavily assisted with a number of ‘did you know’ comments that have served to administer recognised elements aligned to our everyday normal activities.
It is Cornerstone’s goal to replace ‘I didn’t know that’ with, ‘I now know that and it worked’.
