Dampness

bruce thomas · 12-01-2023 12:57pm #1

Hi folks

I have a problem with condensation and black mould in my house.

I know from my research that it’s because of poor air circulation.

after doing a google search I’ve come into contact with the damp master and there going to call to my house in two weeks time to conduct a survey costing me 450€.

wha i want to know is have anyone used damp master before and were they happy with their work, price , equipment etc etc

thanks for reading my post and for your help in advance

Yellow_Fern · 12-01-2023 1:05pm

First make sure it is not a broken gutter or chimney leak. Once you rule out that get someone like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/INRIGOROUS-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Accurate-Humidity/dp/B0BLLQW4QZ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2ZZ68MYCI4IES

Then see if opening the window and keeping RH to 60% or under prevents the mould returning. If you struggle to keep it near that RH, then maybe look into mechanical ventilation. This can be expensive and requires careful and intelligent design to do well, but it is well worth the hassle. I have it and I can dry my clothes indoor without any dampness ever. My bathroom can get wet from showering and it dries fast and reliably.

bruce thomas · 12-01-2023 1:20pm

Thanks yellow

i have no structure damage. It’s totally from condensation. I have kids and they don’t open the windows as often as they should myself included. And it seems wrong opening windows when the weather is cold etc etc.

I’m told i need a heat exchanger system to circulate the air.

really i suppose I’m looking for information about that and the DAMP MASTER quality of work.

thanks again

FlipperThePriest · 12-01-2023 1:43pm

I suggest you post this or move this thread to the Home & Garden > Construction or DIY forum as the guys posting in there will be much more knowledgeable on the topic, with some regular posters being experts on the matter.

Tread very carefully with 'damp specialists' in the trade. Quite often they will recommend solutions for rising damp such as damp proof course injection, which is absolute snake oil, or sealant paints, when walls need to breath. I don't know anything about Damp Master, but a quick google and they recommend these dodgy solutions... In my opinion your money would be much better spent on a heat loss survey, for around the same price.

You have identified the issue yourself... occupants and lack of ventilation. You need constant 24/7 background ventilation. If you do not have permanent wall vents or window trickle vents then you need to crack windows in occupied rooms 24/7. Some windows come with a double latch, for ventilation. It's no good opening windows wide for an hour or so a day. If you aren't getting both sufficient ventilation and heat, then your indoor air will be moist and it will always condense on the coldest surface in the room. This is usually the windows and bottom corners of walls... leading people to believe they may have rising damp issues.

You can get rid of your mold with bleach and water solution.

bruce thomas · 12-01-2023 2:00pm

Thanks for your reply

it definitely moisture in the air and poor circulation because these vents have been blocked because of so much cold air coming into the house.

in my opinion i need a air circulation system something like a heat exchanger. Something like what you would see in hotel rooms and bathrooms.

il try to move the thread as you have suggested. Not sure how to do that.

FlipperThePriest · 12-01-2023 2:18pm

So you have blocked off your vents (which are required by law under current building regulations) and you are now going to pay €450 to a 'specialist' with questionable practices to tell you why you are getting black mold in your house. There is no question, you need to open your vents and allow your house to breath and expel the moisture that you and your family are producing daily. If moisture and stale air cannot go out through vents or windows, it will end up in the fabric of your house creating mold, and worse... it also ends up in the lungs of you and your children.

If you have blocked your vents because there is too much of a breeze coming through, you can combat this... there are baffles that can be installed in vents that stop direct wind from coming through.

You mention a heat exchanger. A MHRV (mechanical heat recovery ventilation) system may or may not be suitable, depending on how air tight and insulated your house is. I would eventually like one of these systems too, but first I have concentrated on insulating the house properly and sealing any drafts, particularly in the attic. I don't have vents, but I have window ventilation latches, windows are on these 24/7. Admittedly, if it's blowing a gale outside, I will close a few, but immediately open again when the wind calms down. If you have a good heating system, adequate insulation and good wall vents with baffles to shield against wind, you should not notice cold air coming into the house, even in winter.

If you ask a moderator of this forum, they should be able to move the thread for you.

A2LUE42 · 12-01-2023 2:23pm

a dehumidifier would also work wonders in reducing the moisture content and they are quite reasonably priced

bruce thomas · 12-01-2023 2:24pm

Any idea what these baffles look like or what are they called or where would i get them

FlipperThePriest · 12-01-2023 2:25pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120098375#Comment_120098375

Not a permanent solution though. The OP needs a permanent background ventilation strategy that will provide fresh air, otherwise they will be breathing in stale air.

The Continental Op · 12-01-2023 2:33pm

OP, all those damp proof specialists sell is snake oil. Check out Peter Ward on youtube for what you can expect https://www.youtube.com/@WarmDryHome/videos. There is a lot on his channel about timber frame conservation but if you look there are also some on damp proofing fraud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuoKhF31hL8

Also if you see any damp proof specialists with one of these you know they are con men.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I8LsHyzqmU

FlipperThePriest · 12-01-2023 2:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120098385#Comment_120098385

Probably €50 or €60 per vent system for this type of thing below, but you may be able to buy a vent cover and some filter that would probably do enough to reduce direct wind. What you don't want to do though, is block airflow.

Red Silurian · 17-01-2023 11:45am

If I could make a suggestion, window vents cost much less than holes in your wall

monseiur · 17-01-2023 12:10pm

It seems to me that you already know that ventilation or lack thereof is the cause of the problem. Why pay someone €450 to tell you what you already know ? Instead invest your cash in suitable vents and get into the habit of opening windows as often as weather allows. No need to keep them open continuously, just half an hour (in inclement weather) 4 times a day will help. You are fortunate that you have vents, all you need is suitable baffles etc. Electric extractors are available, one may suit your kitchen dining area. Encourage other members of family to open their bedroom window every morning, or if there's a vent open that even a few hours a day will make a huge difference. Inhaling the spores that mould produce is not good for the lungs.

stockshares · 13-09-2023 8:57pm

Sorry to jump in and resurrect an old thread but I've found a lot of really good info in this thread about ventilation but one question wasn't answered.

How do you remove the mould that has already spread throughout a large room?

I want to employ all the ventilation tips above but first I need to get rid of the mould.

What companies are regarded as trustworthy when it comes to mould removal for jobs that are too big to do yourself with just sprays?

If any of the posters above could help I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you

Dampness

Comments