Mould Mystery in Modern Apartment - NOT Roof Leak - Real Root Cause Solved

Damp Survey of the day
In this insightful video, we delve into a common yet often misdiagnosed problem plaguing modern apartments: mould growth. Initially perceived as a roof leak in a 3rd-floor flat, our expert investigation reveals a different reality. Key Discoveries: Defective Bathroom Extractor Fan: A primary contributor to poor ventilation, leading to increased humidity and mould growth. Lifestyle Impact: The tenants' habits, such as drying clothes indoors and working from home with closed trickle vents, significantly contributed to the moisture problem. Construction Challenges: We explore how 'dot and dab' plasterboard walls, along with cold corners and window reveals, exacerbate mould growth. Real Solutions: Practical tips for landlords and tenants to effectively manage indoor humidity and prevent mould. Insights into the correct use of ventilation systems and the importance of regular maintenance. This video is a must-watch for landlords, property managers, and residents facing similar issues. Understand the real causes behind mould growth and how to tackle them effectively. Subscribe for more content on property care, damp solutions, and expert insights into maintaining healthy, mould-free living spaces. Full survey with solutions is published about 2 weeks after the initial video on our website, in this case it can be found off our site: Damp Surveys .com / cases/2023/12/Roof-leak-Misdiagnosed

[@merlin5476]

I used to get call outs to fit extractor fans in damp dwellings, and most of the time the problems are caused by how people live , i.e. all windows shut due to cost of heating.
Ive also been to fairly new builds where water was dripping around windows & looking in the loft i found all beams soaking wet due to poor air flow.
The amount of times i hear of tenants complaining to landlords about black mould & damp & blame them for the issues when 90% of the time its how they live.

[@dampsurveys769]

Thank you, @merlin5476, for your insightful comment. I completely agree. In many cases, without definitive evidence, courts tend to lean towards tenants' complaints.
It's imperative for landlords to ensure that their properties have adequate ventilation that complies with building regulations. Additionally, educating tenants on effective ventilation techniques is crucial. This includes advising on drying clothes outdoors, in well-ventilated rooms, dryer, or using a dehumidifier. Landlords should clearly outline in the tenancy agreement the necessity of utilising bathroom and kitchen extractor fans, promptly reporting any damages to fans, and adhering to specific guidelines for drying clothes (which might include the use of a dehumidifier).
Once these guidelines are in place, the responsibility shifts to tenants to make use of the provided ventilation and drying facilities. If tenants are unable or unwilling to comply, landlords should actively monitor and reinforce these responsibilities. In instances where tenants consistently fail to meet their obligations, landlords might need to consider the termination of tenancy under the stipulated terms of the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement.

[@Dampcureservices]

Condensation is a massive problem with today's modern build and living standards. I shouldn't think even in the 1700s they had the same degree of condensation problems. They didn't have double glazing, gypsum plaster, tumble dryer, dishwasher, electric shower,radiators etc,etc. Although, equally they wouldn't have made so much money by selling so many snake oil products or useless gadgets which comes with tge damp industry and damp in general 😂

[@philipoakley5498]

Part of the modern living standards problem is the expectation of 20C (or higher) living spaces, and a 'shirt sleeve' environment. This makes for very moist air (absolute moisture) so it end up condensing everywhere.
Long johns and multiple layers and a jumper are required for a lower house temperature given the dew point from a 20C/50%RH of 9C, or 14C from a 70%RH.
They really need to do psychrometric charts that plot RH vs temperature (primary axes) that then show the curves of constant absolute moisture to show how the RH goes up as the temperature drops, eventually reaching the 100% RH dew point, for normal folks to understand ( CIBSE's CPD lectures have the formulas for sticking into Excel ;-)