Practical On-site Training - Dealing with Damp, Mould, and Condensation in Buildings

ON-SITE    IN-HOUSE    CPD    1 DAY

A site-based one day training session looking at the approach to the investigation of moisture in buildings.

The day will provide an insight into inspections and observations that should be carried out as well as the practical equipment that may assist in the diagnosing of moisture and moisture related defects.

This is offered as an in-house course will involve on site investigation at properties arranged by the client. Environment Study Centre expert tutors will take attendees through the practicalities of moisture investigation, but outlining theory behind this based on best practice, standards and authoritative guidance.

We will focus on:

• Understanding the building type and its relationship with moisture performance.
• The building’s external envelope. Looking at possible sources of moisture ingression. This will include roof coverings, flashings, defective brick, rendering and pointing, blocked and damaged above and below ground water drainage, raised ground levels, evidence of the existence of problems with cavity walls, damp proof courses and membranes.
• Investigation of problems caused by changes made to the building, including retrofit.
• The building context which will include the geography around the building including orientation and the buildings position on the UK weather zone map. Plus taking account of the buildings use and changes in use.
• Undertaking a systematic approach to the evaluation and assessment of moisture risk together with the recoding of relevant information
• Undertaking inspection of cavities above the damp proof course, including using a borescope to inspect inside cavities, plus understanding the implications of what can be seen including debris, wall ties and cavity wall insulation.
• Use of a damp meters on site including:

• • Conductivity
  • Capacitance
  • Carbide

• Understand the environmental conditions inside building. This to include moisture risks relevant to penetrating damp, condensation, mould. This to include the relation with the buildings condition, use and moisture generation, heating, and ventilation. This to include the equipment used to understand such issues.

• • Hygrometers
  • Thermometers
  • Data loggers
  • Anemometers
  • Thermal imaging cameras

The course will also express the importance of photographic evidence, including thermal imaging and the accurate recording of data gathered.

The Environment Study Centre will provide all tools and equipment necessary to conduct the workshop, but attendees are encouraged to bring along and use any equipment that they employ.

The course will commence with a short online self-paced training session on the Environment Study Centre learning platform, as an introduction.

Both your tutors are expert surveyors in the dealing with moisture in Buildings.

Professor John Edwards

Has been investigating moisture in buildings since 1981, involving all types of buildings ranging from Council houses to Castles and dealing with a wide range of faults ranging from issues caused by retrofit to basic neglect.

Matt George

Has specialised in dealing with dampness in buildings as a surveyor for over ten years and is something he does on a daily basis, frequently teaming up with Professor Edwards. Prior to this Matt gained extensive experience in flood remediation.