Condensation Survey Near Me

JHE offer a service of diagnosing the causes of damp and condensation, which can lead to mould. This combines a full diagnostic process with a plan for remedial action, along with a programme to eradicate the mould problem.  Insurers, homeowners, landlords and tenants can all benefit from the comprehensive Condensation Survey service offered across the UK.

Mould is classed as a category (1) risk to health, as assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System 2000, which is the same class as asbestos. The Environmental Protection Act (1990) classifies mould as a statutory nuisance that must be treated.

JHE has a proven tried and tested process when considering Damp and Condensation issues in any property.

What happens in a Condensation Survey?

The Survey

JHE’s technical team carry out a comprehensive survey of the property to identify causes of damp penetration & condensation.  This data would then allow us to compile a report detailing recommend remedial action.

It is also important to highlight that we are totally independent of any contractors so will only ever give you honest and unbiased feedback on our findings and practical advice to resolve any problems that will make a difference.

The survey is non-destructive in nature and is carried out using a variety of non-intrusive/non-destructive instruments (where possible).  It is comprehensive and as we endeavour to check all relevant areas of the property in order to trace the source/cause which can take between 1 and 3 hours.  

Please Note:

We may need to drill a 10mm hole to the external or internal surface in order to gain further data.   This helps with the diagnosis, but permission will need to be granted by the homeowner first.

In some cases, we will setup and leave data-loggers at the property so we can obtain air and surface data. This is done over a 2–3-week period and helps us to understand events during different times of the day.  It also assesses under varying weather conditions; these are totally safe and not intrusive to the occupants.

The data from our loggers is used with a computer program to generate clear, detailed graphs.
These graphs provide insights into the internal environment of the property.  The analysis identifies when and why condensation forms inside the property.  The report highlights specific days, times, and property usage patterns linked to condensation.

Our monitors record when the environment encourages the growth of mould including the date and time specific areas of the property enter into ‘the mould growth’ zone on the survey graphs.

Moulds are more prevalent if there is: Lack of Air Circulation, Dampness or Darkness.

There are over 100,000 species of mould worldwide.

What is Condensation?

Warm air can retain more water as vapour than cold air, and the proportion of water that is actually present to what could potentially be retained at any given temperature is known as the ‘relative humidity’.

Surface condensation is the result of moisture laden air coming into contact with a suitably cold surface, it is also the most common cause of mould growth in the UK.

Requirements for mould growth on a particular surface/material appear to depend on : water activity (hygoscopicity).  However many moulds found in properties do not require surface condensation for their development.

It is also important to note that long term maintenance of high humidity (in excess of 75% relative humidity), without condensation, will also cause moulds to develop in stagnant areas especially on ‘moisture sensitive materials’, such as leather, some clothes and paper etc.

Less than 100 are commonly reported in UK properties, the most common being Penicillium and Cladosporium.  Stachybotrys  chartarum (atra), a so called ‘toxic mould’, is uncommon but not rare in the uk.

Which species of mould grows where depends on a number of factors including the humidity and the particular substrate. Also the colour of the mould will depend on the particular species as not all moulds are black.

Primary and secondary colonising moulds only require relative humidity maintained in excess of 75% to develop on certain ‘moisture sensitive materials’.

We have also put together this useful guide to condensation and what to look for.

For more information or to make a booking, click here.

If you are worried about mould & condensation or would like a Condensation Survey please fill out the form below:

 

Get in Touch:

Don’t wait for damp, mould, or condensation to take hold of your property. Contact JHE Environmental today for professional advice, detailed surveys, and effective solutions. Our team is here to help you create a healthier, safer space for your family or colleagues.