Edit Report #252
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50 Dorrington Green Mould & Damp Assessment Report Reason for Inspection We attended the property today following concerns raised by both the landlord and the tenant regarding ongoing mould growth, dampness and water ingress throughout the property. A full visual inspection was carried out internally and externally to identify the likely causes and recommend the appropriate remedial works. Findings Following our inspection, we found that the mould and damp issues are not being caused by one isolated defect but by a combination of water ingress, inadequate ventilation and internal moisture generation. Ventilation The property does not currently have adequate mechanical ventilation in accordance with current Building Regulations. The bathroom has no mechanical extractor fan, meaning moisture generated during bathing and showering cannot be effectively removed from the property. Although the kitchen has a recirculating cooker hood, this simply filters air and returns it back into the room. It does not extract moisture to the outside of the building and is therefore ineffective at removing steam generated from cooking. As a result, excessive moisture is remaining within the property, creating conditions suitable for condensation and mould growth. Conservatory The conservatory is the worst affected area of the property. We identified evidence of previous temporary repairs to the conservatory roof using flashband. This is not considered a permanent or suitable repair and is allowing water to penetrate into the conservatory structure. The correct repair would be to remove the temporary repair and install a properly formed lead flashing detail to make the conservatory roof fully watertight. Combined with the lack of ventilation and activities such as drying clothes within this area, moisture levels are significantly elevated, creating ideal conditions for mould growth. Bathroom The bathroom is also contributing to the moisture issues within the property. We found loose and detached wall tiles within the shower area. During use, water is passing behind these tiles and penetrating through into the kitchen below. This continuous water ingress is contributing directly to the damp issues. The existing shower screen is also no longer providing a watertight seal, allowing water to escape during showering. Windows Several windows within the property are single glazed, and a number of double glazed sealed units have failed. Although these are not considered the primary cause of the mould issues, they do contribute to condensation by creating colder internal surfaces where moisture readily forms. Replacing failed glazing units and upgrading the remaining single glazed windows would improve the thermal performance of the property and help reduce condensation. Recommendations To bring the property back to a watertight condition and improve compliance with current Building Regulations, we recommend the following works: Remove the temporary flashband repair and install a correctly detailed lead flashing to the conservatory roof. Supply and install humidistat-controlled extractor fans to both the kitchen and bathroom, each core drilled directly through the external wall to provide effective mechanical extraction. Carry out full mould remediation works throughout all affected areas by chemically cleaning, treating and redecorating all mould-affected surfaces. Remove the wallpaper within the bathroom, prepare the surfaces and redecorate with an appropriate mould-resistant paint system. Supply and fit a new shower screen to prevent water escaping during use. Remove the lower course of wall tiles within the shower area, repair the substrate as required and supply and fit replacement tiles of a similar style where available. Re-grout and re-silicone the entire shower area to provide a fully watertight finish. Replace failed double glazed units and consider upgrading the remaining single glazed windows to improve thermal efficiency and reduce condensation. Conclusion The mould growth within the property is being caused by a combination of inadequate ventilation, water ingress through the conservatory roof, water penetration from the shower enclosure into the kitchen and the poor thermal performance of the existing glazing. Simply cleaning and redecorating the mould will not provide a long-term solution. The underlying defects should first be rectified to prevent moisture from continually re-entering the property. Once these issues have been addressed, mould remediation and redecoration can be undertaken to restore the property to a safe, clean and habitable condition.
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