Extensive mould due to lack of ventilation

Poor air quality due to poor ventilation leads to condensation, mould, and high CO2 levels, resulting in an increased risk of health issues and spoiling decorations and personal items.

Do you ever stop to think about the air quality in your home, the air you and your children breathe? Poor indoor air quality affects health. Excessive humidity (water vapouandith high CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) levels can result in mould growth, condensation, and headaches and are associated wivarious of other health problems. We live in the 21st Century, yet we live in damp, mould-infested homes. Why?

Most of the homes we live in were constructed in the 20th Century with open fires which ventilated the property by drawing moisture up the chimney. This, in turn, pulled dry air into the property through the timber window frames and subfloor ventilation. This natural ventilation was referred to as 'draughts'.

No one wants to live in a cold, draughty home; why should you? Energy costs are high, and you want your home to be comfortable, dry and well-presented. This is perfectly acceptable, and times have moved on. Insulation has become much more efficient and is installed free in some cases, windows are sealed tight to prevent draughts, and ceramic tiles, laminated floor coverings, close-fitting carpets, and vinyl wallpapers are pleasing to the eye.

But is making our properties airtight good for us? This is not as simple to answer as you may think. Both humans and animals need to breathe good quality air - most people will agree the air always feels fresher outside. This is partly because it's not loaded with CO2, excess moisture and other pollution to the levels trapped within our homes, leading to health issues and increasing the dust mites' population.

1. 1. So why are we still getting mould and dampness issues within our properties?
   2. How far would you get if you ran with a polyethene bag over your head?

   There is no reason why you shouldn’t have the dry, warm, comfortable, well-presented home you want and deserve. This is easily achievable by installing an effective, correctly balanced, commissioned ventilation system. There is a wide range of mechanical ventilation systems; it’s not as simple as installing an extractor fan. We fully understand how they work and how they should be installed.

   We have invested time and money in researching the indoor air quality problem. We’ve attended courses and passed exams in ventilation methods and systems. We are BPEC-qualified domestic ventilation engineers and work closely with Nuaire, the advanced ventilation and air purity manufacturer. We can also design, install, commission and test the ventilation system in your home.

   Nuaire is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ventilation systems; they are the experts on equipment and the systems they manufacture. This, combined with the experience of our specialist qualified surveyors and our added knowledge of buildings, building materials and how excessive moisture affects a structure, will ensure the correct system is chosen based on a detailed site evaluation.

   A survey will collect the required information to establish the cause of the dampness/poor air quality and take into consideration the following:

   • The size and layout of the property
   • Number of bedrooms
   • Number of wet rooms (bathrooms, kitchens, utilities and WCs)
   • Occupancy levels
   • Background ventilation
   • Heating system and method of operation

   We would also undertake a detailed inspection of the property to establish any other areas of dampness, such as rising dampness, hygroscopic dampness, penetrating moisture, or condensation.

On the 1st of October 2010, it became ‘notifiable work’ to install domestic ventilation systems which can be tested and adjusted. ’ This now requires installation engineers to be trained and registered to test and commission ventilation systems installed in domestic properties.

For mechanical ventilation systems installed in new dwellings, airflow rates should be measured on site and notice given to building control. This applies to intermittently-used extraction fans, cooker hoods, and continuously running systems.

Incorrect use of flexible insulated ducting

Flexible ducting should be installed to a maximum of 300mm, and ducting running through cold voids should be insulated, as the warm moisture-loaded air extracted forms condensation within the ducting, resulting in standing water and risk of legionnaires disease and failed fan units.

Incorrect use of flexible ducting results in the system becoming restricted or separating at the joints, resulting in reduced performance and high relative humidity levels forming within roof voids, leading to condensation within the property.