Client: Property Developer
Our client, a property developer in London, tasked Timberwise with conducting mould treatment within the roof void of a newly acquired property. This property was an end of terrace house of solid brick construction, and was both unoccupied and unfurnished at the time of our inspection. The weather conditions were overcast but dry.
Challenges
Access for the specialist inspection was restricted to the accessible areas of the roof void. This is a difficulty our surveyors regularly face, and they acted on over 55 years of Timberwise’s industry experience to ensure a complete diagnosis of the property was achieved.
Observations
As the property was also undergoing a total refurbishment at the time of the inspection, our surveyor highlighted that the building would need to remain watertight to avoid the potential for internal dampness and condensation-related conditions. As the exterior of the property had already been assessed separately, our surveyor continued with an internal inspection of the property.
Inside the property, a severe case of mould growth was identified in the upper floor ceiling. This was found to be affecting the ceiling rafters as well as timbers in the roof void itself. The cause of the mould growth was attributed to a lack of air movement within the roof space.
Mould is an omni-present problem in many of the UK’s homes. Often, the cause is down to lifestyle: warm, moist air from wet rooms such as kitchens or bathrooms rises into the cooler roof void, condensing on the structural timbers and insulation within. This increased moisture creates the ideal environment for fungal outbreaks such as dry rot or mould to germinate, spreading quickly throughout a roof void, or even spreading beyond the roof entirely.
Another likely contributor of mould growth is a lack of ventilation. Without either manual or passive ventilation, moist air can become trapped, especially in areas where insulation is prevalent. Trapping moisture gives fungal outbreaks the perfect conditions they need to thrive and spread.
With the property undergoing development prior to letting or sale, and with the impending changes brought on by Awaab’s Law, it was essential for our client to remedy the outbreak prior to any potential tenants taking tenancy of the property.
Solutions
Having assessed the property, our surveyor created a treatment plan to both eradicate the existing mould outbreak, as well as prevent a recurrence of the issues in the future.
To begin, our surveyor recommended cleaning down and preparing the affected timbers. This would remove any surface mould prior to treatment. They also recommended wiping down the clean timbers as well to provide as clear a space as possible for the treatment to adhere to.
Next, our technicians would spray a coat of mould treatment fluid to all accessible rafters and boards within the main roof void. This would eradicate the incumbent mould on the surface of the timbers. To complete treatment, our technicians would also spray a second coat, to ensure the chemicals remained within the timbers for a sustained period to prevent future mould growth.
As an additional measure, our surveyor also recommended some additional measures to prevent recurrence. As the roof was due to undergo renovations as part of the wider refurbishments, our surveyor recommended implementing additional ventilation into the roof void to provide adequate air flow. They also recommended a roof survey to identify any defects in the roof, its flashings, and any rainwater goods, to ensure that penetrating damp would not be a concern once the renovations were completed.
Results
Our surveyor created a treatment plan that would completely eradicate any active mould spores on the property’s structural timbers prior to further property alterations. This treatment would also migrate into the timbers, providing ongoing protection from the threat of future mould outbreaks. Our client was satisfied with the advice of our surveyor, and their expertise informed our client’s refurbishment strategy for the property.
Do You Want Help with a Mould Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in North London are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8226 6486, or you can request a survey online.
