These conditions can present serious problems for house owners and owners of commercial premises, landlords, local authorities and housing associations, because of the health hazards that these conditions have been shown to present.
Typically, condensation and mould arise through lack of ventilation and inadequate heating - moist, warm air (steam) generated in the property condenses forming water droplets on cold surfaces, usually on windows, sills and walls in the kitchen, bathrooms and higher, colder parts of the building - bedrooms in particular,
This results in unsightly black mould and hazardous spore growth on walls, window sills and on clothes in wardrobes and on bedding, particularly during cold weather spells. This causes tell tale damp musty smells and inevitably leads to complaints and threats from tenants, even though these conditions are often caused to a large degree by the actions of their own actions.
These conditions can be minimised (no building is entirely free from condensation) by providing adequate heating and ventilation, but this is not always easy. Tenants often economise by keeping heating to an absolute minimum. While they are out at work all day the surfaces in the building become very could, therefore when the occupants return in the evening to cooking, washing, showering, clothes drying etc., without opening windows or adequately ventilating, the situations is exacerbated.
There are lots of things a landlord can do to minimise or eliminate the problem. But, if the occupants fail to co-operate, or fail to appreciate what it is they are doing to exacerbate the problem, there's little the landlord can do.
The only real answer is positive ventilation which occurs automatically, without the need for the occupants to do anything themselves, even when they fail to provide adequate heating.
A whole house solution for a property with condensation, mould or poor indoor air quality is to install an EnviroVent Positive Ventilation System, which draws in fresh air and circulates it throughout the entire building, diluting and replacing the moisture laden air.
The additional benefits are that the occupants can keep the windows closed to conserve the heat and still maintain the security of the property. EnviroVent manufactures both loft mounted and wall mounted units to cater for houses with or without a loft space.
Where problems are restricted to small areas, say in a bathroom or the kitchen an EnviroVent filter less extract fan may be adequate. This innovative, humidity tracking extractor fan will remove the moisture laden air at source and reduce the risk of moisture migration to nearby rooms.
 |
 |
| The loft mounted unit is a sophisticated whole home ventilation and condensation control unit for homes with a loft space. The unit gently ventilates the home from a central position on the landing in a house or the central hallway in a bungalow to transform a stagnant, stale atmosphere into a fresh, healthy, condensation free environment. | The energiVent H300 Q is the new breed in Heat Recovery system, bringing energy efficiency, innovation and performance to a new level. Ideal for new build construction and energy-conscious refurbishment programmes, the system uses Ultra Low Watt DC motor technology and is fitted with independent zone control and intelligent vapour-tracking functions for optimum performance. |
Our partners EnviroVent will work with landlords who have portfolios of varying sizes from a single property to a block of flats. The company has a long history of working with landlords renting to local authority tenants and to local authority landlords. They know the legal requirements for Decent Homes and the Building Regulations and can often provide specific recommendations to address ventilation issues under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
At the same time, EnviroVent Lifetime Range ventilation products incorporate low-running costs and low maintenance so that landlords and homeowners do not have to spend time and money servicing fans or units. All products in the Lifetime Range have a 5-year guarantee and, in line with the company’s green credentials, are recycled and do not go into landfill.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas, which can enter your home from the ground, exposing you to doses of radiation. According to the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), health studies from around the world have linked exposure to Radon to increased risk of lung cancer.
Radon penetration occurs in many thousands of British homes, particularly in the East Midlands and the South West but there are pockets of it just about everywhere in the UK. It is common in and around granite and other igneous rocks where the gas is transferred through the pores in the rock.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that vaporize at room temperatures. They contain carbon in their molecular structures. VOCs have no colour, smell, or taste but include a very wide range of individual substances, such as hydrocarbons (for example benzene and toluene), halo-carbons and oxygenates.
The most effective method of preventing the problem is to install a heavy duty plastic membrane during construction of the dwelling. For existing buildings a more practical proposition is the introduction of a Positive Ventilation System.
