‘My walls are damp’, ‘my ceiling is damp’ – there are not many Maintenance Managers, Housing Managers and Surveyors across the Country who have not heard this complaint from tenants in the “condensation season” from October to April. But it is not damp in the truest sense – there are 14 different varieties of damp, ranging through from rising damp, penetrating damp, bursts, leaks, spillages to condensation. 80-85% of the complaints of damp are complaints of condensation resulting in black mould growing on the walls and ceilings, only 15-20% are true damp problems. A typical family can produce up to 25 pints of moisture a day, when it contacts any cold surfaces condensation will form.
Black mould problems are a favourite topic for the National and Local Press and last year attracted the attention of ITV news investigators and National Newspaper coverage, not good publicity for Local Authorities and Housing Associations.
Mould is not only ugly, it causes untold misery to tenants with black growths covering their walls and ceilings, clothes and furnishings being contaminated and their health at serious risk from the air-borne spores, as well as unpleasant musty smells pervading throughout the property.
Every dwelling, irrespective of its construction contains within its fabric mould spores which are dormant and completely harmless. Mould needs very little nutrient and will grow irrespective of the decorative finish, starting in corners, wall junctions and behind wardrobes, areas of least air movement, where moisture is condensing.
Mould spores cause a wide range of upper respiratory complaints and allergic reactions, including asthma, bronchitis, nausea, malaise, food poisoning.
Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) mould is a Category 1 hazard and the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 states, it is the responsibility of the landlord to resolve the problems. The Housing Ombudsman has now stated the problems of mould and condensation cannot be attributed to “life style issues”.
It is extremely unfortunate that it has taken the recent tragic death of a child due to mould, according to the coroner, for the problems of mould to be acknowledged and addressed with the seriousness they deserve.
MGC’s mould treatments have been successfully used for over 56 years by Local Authorities, Housing Associations, private land-lords and homeowners. All MGC mould treatments, fungicidal additives and fungicidal paints are approved under COPR 1986 (As amended) by the Health and Safety Executive and listed in M3NHF Schedule of Rates for mould treatment.
There is a bulk treatment for Works Departments and contractors and a smaller kit is approved for amateur/tenant use. Sempatap Thermal insulation will help reduce condensation.
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