damp and mould

We recognise the Ombudsman is calling for a fresh attitude to dealing with the prevailing issues and adds moving from a ‘blame’ to ‘responsibility’ culture as a key directive.

The Property MOT® flexible surveying platform answers the call for a proactive response demonstrating change and meaningful support for residents with fact-based resolutions.

The uniform framework has been developed to be undertaken by trained and certified persons via a support based licensed application resulting in the issuance of Certifications for property conditions alongside any pertinent Advisories.

We’ve all seen the horror stories around retrofit cavity wall insulation. Every day, new reports of tenants suffering with mouldy walls hit the headlines. These stories often start the same way: “We never had a damp problem until we had new insulation put in…”

The good news is that this wave of penetrating damp in properties with retrofitted cavity wall insulation is entirely preventable. Upskill yourself with all the latest retrofit regulations and methods with Safeguard’s RIBA-approved PAS 2035 and Retrofit Insulation CPD Webinar. Join Product Development Chemist Michael at 1:00 PM on Tuesday 5th April for a masterclass on managing retrofit installation works.

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.

A Property MOT® serves to identify the best-practice and innovative approach upholding necessary changes in culture, behaviour and approach.
Uniformly certifying the health of a building will not only confirm the structural condition but, provide expert guidance to meet the new challenges demonstrating a zero-tolerance to damp and mould.
David Bly, Director of Cornerstone Professional Services (UK) Ltd, the company behind the development and introduction of the Property MOT® system explains why the process is key to delivering the changes in a uniform process.

Housing Associations and their residents have faced many challenges during the COVID Pandemic, not least of all undertaking repairs and maintenance. Whilst some minor issues can be delayed, it is essential homes remain habitable and safe so some repairs and ongoing maintenance can still be carried out. But how can this be done safely? James Kane, from condensation and mould control specialist Airtech Solutions, explains more on what steps both engineers and households can take to protect each other during work in a home.