Dampness in buildings is a serious problem. Water can enter buildings in a number of ways to cause superficial and structural damage. Conditions in a damp property are often unpleasant, uncomfortable and unhealthy.

Throughout the UK the living conditions of a large majority of the population have been adversely affected by condensation. Its occurrence together with the subsequent mould growth has been the largest single complaint received by local authorities during the past twenty years.

In industrial premises the effects of condensation and mould growth are also well-known and have created their own particular problem especially in breweries and food processing factories.

The problem of condensation, particularly in dwelling houses, is very much a problem of today and results from a series of relatively simple, totally invariable conditions, and is directly related to standards and methods of heating, ventilating and insulating buildings.

Condensation in dwelling houses is mainly a winter problem particularly where warm moist air is generated in living areas and then penetrated to colder parts of the building.

Water vapour is produced in relatively large quantities from a number of activities. It can also rise from damp ground under buildings and in some cases penetrate timber floors and pass freely up the cavities of brick walls into roof space. The severity and effects of condenation will then depend on the type and nature of building construction and the extent of the vapour barriers created in each design.

In timber frame buildings and wall the external cladding is liable to become wet by interstitial condensation as water vapour passes through the structure. This has caused failure of the applied painted coatings in a number of ways (loss of adhesion, blistering and chemical change) with consequent disfigurement. The use of impermeable roofing felt to prevent water vapour reaching the cladding has redirected the condensation process as moisture will condense on the sarking and drain into the framing timbers.

The traditional design of roofs has induced the occurrence of condensation, especially in the winter. In a flat or decked roof construction the waterproof roof membrane is also a vapour barrier. The water vapour is then prevented from permeating to the external environment. Condensation is then induced to occur within the roof deck or condense under the roof sheeting and drip from it.

Condensation will also occur in low pitched roof constructions particularly when the ceiling follows the slope of the roof. The wetting of ceilings with condensation will also occur when the cold air through either convection process or percolating from the external atmosphere lowers the temperature of ceilings and condenses water vapour from the underlying rooms. The effects are made apparent when little or no provision is made for ventilation of the roof space.

Condensation will often occur in brick cavity walls where moist air in the construction and external cold air circulate in a confined space. The temperature of the moist air is lowered, reaching the dew point and moisture is deposited on the coldest nearby surface, in some cases causing water to drip from the surfaces.

Condensation will also occur under suspended floors where the temperature of humid air in the floor space is lowered by cold air moving in through ventilators and water is then condensed on the underside of floor. This will often induce timber decay of the wooden floor.

Moulds are simple fungi from several groupings in the fungal classification system. A typical life cycle is shown in figure 5 where spores are produced under asexual and sexual reproduction. It is sexual reproduction of fungi which allows genetic modification to adapt and tolerate changes in the environment such as humidity, temperature and food requirements.

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 use of  the Lifecote lofty anti condensation unit is by far the most cost effective method of eliminating condensation

We at Lifecote 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.

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 Lifecote to install a Lofty condensation control unit from £680.00 + VAT supplied and fitted!  

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