Mould Growth
Mould Growth
Damp Proofing London South Solution For Mould Growth
Mould growth will appear on any damp surfaces such as plaster, wallpaper and timber and is associated with condensation problems in many buildings. It is unacceptable because of appearance (unsightly growths of various colours - greens, yellows, pinks, black, grey or white), odour (musty and damp), and fears of health and hygiene considerations (particularly in food processing industries).
There are three principal features common to the broad range of mould fungi:
1. Simple food requirements: able to exist on non-nutrient materials such as plaster and brick which have traces of contaminating organic matter.
2. Produce vast number of spores which allow rapid adaptation to particular environments.
3. Grow very quickly under suitable conditions.
The main requirement for the development and growth is a source of moisture although food, oxygen and a suitable temperature are also important. It is available water which is critical to mould development and different materials at the same moisture content often have different water availability.
Moulds can be regarded as hydrophilic fungi (tolerating high water availability) although individual species have their own optimum requirements for moisture. In most situations where surface condensation occurs and the relative humidity of the internal atmosphere exceeds 70% mould growth will be established.
The susceptibility of material to mould growth will vary as mentioned previously. For instance it has been demonstrated that mould will develop on cheese and leather at 76% RH. It will not develop on wood below 85% RH nor on cotton or glass below 96% RH. The longer surfaces are under conditions of high moisture or local high humidity the greater the probability of mould growth developing. In a number of structures there may be a local or adjacent high humidity at the walls of the buildings sufficient for mould growth whereas the internal environment may not be experiencing relative humidity above 70%.
There have been approximately one hundred species of fungi detected in dwelling houses. The species commonly encountered were Penicillium, Cladosporium, Rhizopus, Mucor. Fungi specifically encountered on paint and plaster were for example Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium purpurogenum and Mucor plumbeus.
The appearance of mould growth in buildings often suggests poor standards of property maintenance and/or domestic activities encouraging condensation. Prolonged exposure to mould growth will cause disintegration and disruption of certain painted surfaces. Paper and certain fibre building fabrics may also be softened and deteriorate as some mould species are capable of digesting cellulose.
The Cost of Unchecked Condensation
A paper in the British Medical Journal, Vol. 298, June 1989, stressed the higher incidence of ill health in damp buildings with accompanying mould growth and it is now accepted that air pollution is a major reason for the huge increase in asthma sufferers of whom children are often the most vulnerable.
The use of the Damp Proofing London South lofty anti condensation unit is by far the most cost effective method of eliminating condensation.
The direct cost of a condensation and mould growth problem where only one room has to have mould cleaning or redecorating is at least 250 per year, and in many cases is much more than this, If for example more than one room is involved. Sometimes window frames need to be repainted and repaired, or even replaced.The occupants' clothes and other belongings may go mouldy and need to be replaced. In extreme cases the occupant may take a Landlord to the Courts and compensation payments of several thousand pounds may result.
In addition these direct costs, there is a substantial 'hidden' cost which relates to administration. In the case of Local Authorities and Housing Associations for instance, a Surveyors time is consumed in repeatedly being subjected to the Tenants complaints. In some instances Surveyors productivity is impaired by this disruption and aggravation.
Condensation is an increasingly serious problem in dwelling houses and offices. It affects over 50% of Buildings in the UK.
Accompanying condensation there is an increase in the presence of mould growth and many of the household pollutants. Input ventilation systems are a cost effective way to eradicate condensation and black mould problems.
We at Damp Proofing London South have supplied and installed Input Ventilation Anti-Condensation Units for an ever increasing number of Local Authorities and Housing Associations on a continual basis. We have practical expertise second to none and our high quality installation service means you can rely on the effectiveness of the equipment and its installation.
1. The loft space which contains warmer air mixing with air drawn in through eaves.
2. The warmer fresh air is then drawn into the unit where it passes through a special air filter.
3. The filtered air is introduced into the property through the diffuser grille, located centrally at ceiling level in the landing of the property, and is circulated around the property.
4. The fresh air then mixes with the warm air in the property, thus combating the condensation.
5-7. The stagnant air is then expelled through natural leakage points in the property. This also serves to help prevent cold draughts entering the property.
Energy conservation is the responsibility of all of us.
Conventional extractor fans potentially waste over a million kilowatts of energy every year - which is comparable to the total output of two large power stations! Replacing conventional extractor fans with heat recovery systems would save at least half of that energy loss.
Input ventilation anti condensation units are a successful and cost-effective way to cure condensation. Input ventilation with heat recovery offers you even more benefit because it can save over 80% of heat which would otherwise be wasted by transferring it to the incoming fresh air supply.
Anti-Mould Products
Condensation and black mould are a serious hazard to health. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Section 11 puts the onus on all landlords to ensure that their properties are designed and maintained to a standard that prevents conditions arising which can lead to any defect causing damage to the health or personal property of the tenant. Condensation and black mould fall very much into this category.
Under the Act, Landlords also have a Duty of Care to their tenants, to ensure that the premises are constructed and maintained free from defects which might cause personal injury or damage to the property of the occupant.
It is a proven medical fact that black mould can cause respiratory problems and condensation and dampness can aggravate asthma suffering as well as causing mental distress. It is therefore vital that black mould is cleaned off and condensation problems eradicated as quickly as possible.
The solution to condensation is allowing Damp Proofing London South to install a Lofty condensation control unit from 880.00 inclusive supplied and fitted!