Do you have a crawl space or two in your home that are currently going unused? If so, you may need to ensure that you’re not falling prey to damp and mould growth! However, with the right tools, the best solutions, and a team of experts to hand, there are no reasons why you can’t take care of these issues safely and efficiently.
However, what’s really interesting about these common areas of the home is that they are primed for insulation. Crawl space insulation, believe it or not, may actually help to make your home that little bit more efficient! This means lower energy bills, and it also means that your property is doing its bit to care for the environment.
Your crawl spaces are also likely to be where you’ll find sump pumps. These are essential in helping to prevent home flooding.
Let’s take a closer look at how you can transform the way you use your crawl spaces for the better.
As you can imagine, any gaps or spaces in your home are likely to create draughts, and to let hot air escape. This is going to be hugely inefficient! Unfortunately, if a crawl space is not ventilated, it’s at massive risk of developing damp conditions, as well as standing water. Therefore, you need to be proactive about how to manage these areas.
Crawl space encapsulation is a process through which you can set up a barrier to prevent vapour and moisture from running rife. This is where you might block build-up of water or set up waterproofing beneath your house. If your crawl spaces are not blocking moisture, they are only going to continue getting damp and mouldy as time goes by.
Therefore, encapsulation is just one way to make sure that your spaces are working as efficiently as possible for you. However, have you ever considered crawl space insulation if your crawl spaces are not ventilated?
It’s worth remembering that crawl spaces often split into two types – ventilated, and unventilated. For those spaces which aren’t ventilated, you should make a point of setting up some form of insulation. These are empty spaces which could help to warm up your home with just a few minor touches.
For example, you could install insulation foam to create barriers for draughts. You may also consider air leaks in your crawl spaces, too, which you will naturally need to patch up.
You can, of course, also insulate ventilated crawl spaces. However, the way that you do this, and the materials you use, are likely to be a little different to that which you’d use for an unventilated unit. For example, you might use fibreglass as a solution to seal off seams and joists. Essentially, when it comes to ventilated spaces, your aim is to create vapour barriers – while at the same time, locking in as much heat as you can.
Installing a crawl space liner or foam will help to lock in as much heat as possible in your home. Working alongside with proper ventilation, it’s perfectly possible to prevent damp conditions and mould growth with just a few simple touches. However, as always, it’s a good idea to reach out to local experts who can help with this!
Crawl space insulation might not be the most obvious route to take when it comes to saving money on energy bills, however, it may surprise you just how effective this method of attack actually is. Crucially, if you have any gaps or spaces in your home which are letting cold air in, and letting warmth out, you are going to end up spending more money, and wasting more energy, on heating up your property.
Therefore, it makes sense to insulate as much of your home as you possibly can – even your crawl spaces and hard to reach areas! However, again, be sure to reach out to a team with years of expertise, and the right tools for the job.
It is likely that your crawl spaces will also host a sump pump. Your home sump pump is a crucial component which helps to drain away excess water from your property. Therefore, it actively pumps potential flood water out of your home, therefore protecting you without you needing to reach for the sand bags.
It’s essential you flush and maintain your sump pump(s) regularly. This means, again, that having access to crawl spaces is ideal. Whether you are insulating or encapsulating your spaces, do always make sure that you have a regular sump pump testing and cleaning process in place with local experts.
Crawl spaces are actually more useful than you might think. Providing you use them efficiently, they can help you to keep your home warm and ventilate it to free you from damp and mould. However, you can also use them for storage spaces too – if you have anything you’re struggling to store elsewhere at home!
If you’d like to know more about crawl space insulation and how it might benefit your energy bills and comfort levels in the months and years to come, get in touch with LABS now for a free consultation!
Good weather is well on its way, and for many people, that means doing plenty of home improvements to the external areas of the property, around the home to try and protect it against the elements. For example, you might already be taking a look at painting the outside of your house, or you might be thinking about adding a layer of protection or two to your gates and fences. In any case, now is also the time you should start thinking about house rendering.
But what exactly is house rendering? How does it benefit you and your home? When should you do it, and why? In this short article, we will take a look at the key things you need to know and will advise you on what to expect when you take on house rendering.
House rendering is a solution that many people swear by. It’s a process that’s not entirely dissimilar to cladding and painting. In fact, it probably falls somewhere neatly in between. Many people choose to render their homes to change the looks of their properties, while others will have protection on their minds.
In fact, one of the best reasons to look into home rendering is for the dual purpose it serves. Not only can it change the look of your home, it’s a great defence against some of the nastiest damp conditions likely to pervade your property during the wet months and seasons. Yes – we’re coming into summer now – but there really isn’t a better time to prepare your home with the best render available.
There is plenty that you can do to protect your home against potentially harmful damp conditions. Here at LABS, we’re always pleased to offer a variety of preventive solutions as well as cures. However, one of the best things you can do to set your home up in the defence of damp and mould is to get your property rendered using our specialist system consisting of an anti-crack mesh, with a vast array of colour to choose from .
Rendering is great at preventing rainwater and moisture from getting into your property. Your brickwork, if you indeed have any, is likely to be more sensitive than you think when it comes to resisting wetness and damp conditions. Rainwater seeps through the tiniest and slimmest of cracks, and via capillary action. Rendering represents a fantastic preventative measure to protect your home with.
Therefore, take advantage of this damp solution which stops water penetration. That solution, of course, is house rendering – and you’re going to need to get it up and running while the weather is good, I order to be all ready for the forthcoming winter months!
LABS’ range of fantastic anti-damp services will ensure that you have plenty of protection against the rising nastiness from wet conditions. In fact, our house rendering solutions offer a fantastic anti-crack system. This means that, even if this summer we get hammered by wind and rain, your rendering will protect your home at all costs.
There’s plenty of worth in getting rendering set up and good to go during the dry season. After all, it is in the wet when you are going to need it the most. Set up a house render solution with LABS soon, and you’ll not only have access to a great-looking cover for your property, but a protective layer to stop anything nasty and irritating from getting in. Well, apart from unwanted guests, of course.
It’s time to set up house rendering sooner rather than later. Take advantage of the sunshine and set up a home rendering solution to protect you and your family against the wettest and dampest of conditions. LABS is here with some truly brilliant, flexible, and weatherproof solutions which will look great and will protect you against everything Mother nature wants to pelt us with.
Don’t let damp, mould or condensation take control of your home. Set up house rendering now and be sure to keep your property looking fantastic and protected for months and years to come. Call us on 0114 230 2865 or drop us an email to learn more whenever you are ready to go ahead!
The situation over Coronavirus evolves daily and as a result, all of us must evolve with it. At LABS, our Management team are regularly holding online strategy meetings to discuss the impact on the community and our business, and how we might go about mitigating the risks to both our staff and our clients. Our IT and management infrastructure are working well, with the facility provided for home working and we are asking all our employees to be as flexible as their personal situation allows. Our primary aim is to protect our staff and those of the wider community that we are working with, in order to carry on providing our services, as safely and efficiently as possible. As the situation changes and the Government bring new initiatives into force, we are adapting to meet the criteria they outline, in regard to personal hygiene and distancing. We continue to provide a full operational service. Currently we have no reported cases of the Coronavirus within our employees and their families that we are aware of. We are monitoring this on a daily basis, in order to provide a safe working environment for all our staff, and most importantly our valued client base. This includes precautions such as wearing a mask and gloves, washing hands upon re-entry to a property, and maintaining proper distancing measures between workers and clients as per the NHS England guidelines.
Normally we would offer our clients a free visit from one of our surveyors, who would attend your property with our specialist MMS2 protometer, to assist with identifying any damp issues, and advise on the correct course of action to mitigate the issues. However, with the current situation, we understand it may not be appropriate for clients to receive a visit in their property from our assessors, especially if NHS England safe distancing measures cannot be adhered to. At LABS we have a few options for people who are looking to get a quote for remedial damp treatments, in these difficult times.
The first option would be to provide us with detailed pictures of the affected areas, to our email address (admin@l-a-b-s.co.uk). From here we can assess any issues you might have and provide a remedial quote for any issues identified via email. With this option, it is best if you can provide us with a measurement of the affected area, so that we can price accurately for the correct quantity of materials and labour. It is also helpful if you can provide us with a full address of the property, your name, a best contact number, an email address for yourself (to receive the quotation) and any past surveys or quotes that have been conducted at your property. In addition to the emails, we would have the option to follow this up with a Zoom or WhatsApp call.
Via video calling one of one of our assessors, can then look at, and discuss any issues you might have. Zoom is totally free and easy to use and is proving a great tool during this crisis. Please contact us either on our landline 0114 2302865 or via email (admin@l-a-b-s.co.uk) in order to book in a zoom call with one of our specialist surveyors.
Our regular, in house surveys can also be carried out as normal, Where NHS England safe distancing measures can be followed. We would not however, carry out an assessment at any property whereby the inhabitants are self-isolating and/or in an ‘at risk group.’ Therefore, you the general public, we expect to inform us of your situation, so that we can determine the risk levels.
We are also still providing our service, whereby we can advise and assist with any designs, for things such as basements, and extension projections. You can get in touch with us via the aforementioned channels for help with designs and specifications.
During normal working practices, we are able to supply any specialist damp proofing materials, that are ordered before 2pm, on a next day delivery. However, due to the current situation our supplier has closed down, and as such we have a slight shortage of damp proofing materials.
Our shop (66 Crookes S10 1UG), does however have a number of materials stocked, and as such, should you require any materials, it would be best to either give us a call on 0114 2302865, or email us at admin@l-a-b-s.co.uk in order to discuss your requirements.
At LABS, we are still endeavouring to undertake and carry out general damp proofing works, and basement conversions. In doing so, we are carefully following the guidelines outlined by NHS England, in order to maintain the safety of our clients, and staff.
We cannot undertake any works in a property whereby the client is self-isolating, or has shown symptoms of covid-19, therefore it is of the upmost importance that the client notifies us of their situation when contacting us to discuss works. With basement works, it easier for our staff to isolate themselves from the client, especially on a habitable project, where they will have a means of escape to enter/exit through. Staff will also be instructed to wear face masks at all times, wash their hands when entering and leaving the site and to keep 2m distance between each other and the clients, as per the NHS England guidelines.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today, if you need any specialist damp proofing materials, or require any works relating to damp proofing or basements!
Telephone number: 0114 2302865
Email: Admin@l-a-b-s.co.uk
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to people all over the world making big adjustments to their daily lives. The same applies to businesses and local services, too. What happens if you have a problem in your home and you’re self-isolating? What if it’s an issue you need help with immediately, but you can’t risk anyone coming into your home? It’s time to start thinking a little outside the box. Have you thought about what you might need to do regarding damp surveys?
As experienced damp surveyors, we want to remain as flexible as possible for all our customers. While retaining our professional standards as always, we are announcing a new virtual damp proofing survey service. Therefore, you won’t ever have to worry about letting an expert in to take a look at your potential damp issues!
LABS offers in-depth surveys to help address mould issues, condensation, damp and more. On the majority of occasions, we will advise that we need to see a condition up close to ensure we offer you the best diagnosis. However, in light of social distancing and the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown, we have made sure to adapt our damp surveys to help as many people as we can during this difficult time.
Instead of setting up a physical appointment for one of our team to visit your home, we can address your inspection via the magic of modern technology. Why not send us photos or videos of your damp condition? Using popular video conferencing services such as Zoom; we can also take a closer look at your potential damp issue in clear detail through video link. This means that we can actively diagnose and support your household concerns without you needing to risk letting anyone in.
Simply show us the condition or damp patch you are worrying about through email, conferencing and more. It may be a quick way for you to get peace of mind on a condition that isn’t necessarily anything to worry about. If it is likely to be part of a bigger problem, you can rest assured that we will address the problem for you and make recommendations as to remedying the situation.
However, please be aware that – of course – a virtual survey will have its limitations. We cannot, unfortunately, guarantee exactly what we will and won’t be able to diagnose from afar. Of course, should your problem or condition need immediate attention, we will recommend a visit takes place.
In the current climate, it’s important to avoid as much social contact as possible to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. However, there are still going to be a few household issues and concerns which you might need help with over time. For example, these might include condensation problems, or rising damp which could develop into something a little harder to contain.
Instead of sitting on these household problems, it makes sense to still reach out to your local experts. It’s tempting to think that many businesses are closing their doors as a result of the ongoing crisis. However, as essential service providers, LABS is pleased to be able to offer customers across our region the help and assistance they need in getting rid of nuisance damp conditions.
During times like these, it may be tempting to either leave damp issues alone, or to try and handle them yourself. However, this is rarely going to be beneficial. In fact, leaving these conditions to fester could result in you developing health conditions, or causing serious damage to your property.
Therefore, it makes sense to get in touch with a leading name in the local damp proofing and surveying trade. LABS is here to ensure you receive the expert advice and support you need to help ease back into a healthy way of life.
At times like these, it’s important to reduce stress as much as possible. Unfortunately, at the time of publishing, we are still unclear as to where UK lockdowns will end, nor what will happen with COVID-19 in the long run. Therefore, millions of people are striving to adapt to life as normal, as they usually might, amidst varying stresses and worries.
LABS is here to make sure you have virtual support with damp conditions in your home as and when you need it. Rather than risk your health and cause further stress, why not contact a team who can inspect damp for you from afar? LABS is pleased to help anyone looking for advice on damp and mould from a distance.
Contact LABS now on 0114 230 2865 for full details – we’ll be ready to set up video conferencing or to arrange virtual analysis of your damp problem as and when necessary.
Unfortunately, most homes are likely to fall prey to condensation at some point or another. Condensation occurs when water vapour is created, and when it builds up and saturates. You may be causing condensation through boiling kettles, or even simply hanging a few clothes out to dry. It is important to understand how to stop condensation, simply because if left untreated, it can lead to mould growth, which can lead to breathing problems.
For that reason, LABS is always here to help you find new ways to stop condensation. Here are a few tips you can use, as well as some devices and ideas which will help to cut down the moistening of your interior walls.
When learning how to stop condensation, you must first understand that without proper ventilation, water vapour is simply going nowhere fast. It is going to build up on walls and windows, and it could produce mould or growths that could pose health risks.
To ventilate properly, you could use extractor fan units, or you could simply choose to open a window or two more regularly during the day! Opening windows, sadly, isn’t going to cut down on the problem completely. This is especially the case when it comes to heavy condensation, or serious mould growth.
Believe it or not, condensation build up can occur as a result of problems in your building’s overall structure. This can occur in older homes where there is no efficient moisture control system in place. Modern homes shouldn’t really suffer in this regard. However, it makes sense to have your property fully inspected wherever possible.
You can look online for tell-tale signs of poor moisture control, however, it is likely going to be quicker and easier for you to ask for help from an expert who can look at a clean course of action to take. You should never try to adjust or fix structural problems in your home on your own.
DPC is a standard which we always recommend when it comes to fighting back against moisture and condensation. Homes built with a solid DPC in place will be better protected against moisture build-up. This means you have a frontline of defence, at least, should mould start wanting to creep up the walls.
Poor DPC systems or homes without moisture control are those which tend to date back decades, even centuries. It is a modern standard in most contemporary homes and new builds. Therefore, if your property is fairly new, you shouldn’t have much to worry about. However, it always pays to check just in case!
We understand that it can be hard to live without constant heat during the colder, wetter months. However, intense heat on a constant basis is always going to breed moisture, and therefore condensation. If you have any hope of learning how to stop condensation in your home, you are going to need to focus on finding heat in different ways. Can you work with a lower heat for a while? What about making sure your home is completely insulated?
There is no harm in making the most of your central heating. However, when left to power on at its top setting all day and all week, you may well start to see signs of condensation and mould. Try not to dry your clothes on radiators all week – hang them up in plenty of advance in cool, dry areas and they will be ready for you to iron in a day or two. That is, of course, if you can’t get your garment outside for wind drying.
One of our preferred options for reducing condensation here at LABS is a humidistat. This technology will accurately measure the humidity in your home, and will let you know when moisture levels are getting too high. It works in a similar fashion to a thermostat, in that it analyses the atmosphere and lets you know what you can expect.
You should ventilate your home if your humidistat advises that levels are particularly high. Therefore, make sure to install such a system as standard as soon as physically possible.
Want to know more about how to stop condensation in your home? Are you in need of damp-proofing for your basement or elsewhere? Come and have a quick chat with our team. Call us directly on 0114 230 2865 for friendly advice and guidance, or do email us via form if you’d like to know more about what LABS can do for you.
Keeping your home safe and protected from all kinds of damp and mildew is important. Your house is sadly going to be at risk of developing all manner of issues unless you look after it properly. If you have a basement, the best place to start is at the very bottom level. Basement damp proofing has become a crucial process for many homes and families who find themselves at risk of developing damp or moist conditions which could pose serious risks to their health. Here at LABS, we are always happy and ready to take on any damp proofing tasks and concerns you may have.
Your basement is going be the room, which is closest to the ground, and therefore, it is going to be at most risk of developing damp conditions by letting water in. Consider where your home is built. Are you at risk of flooding from nearby water sources? Then you are also likely to be at risk from damp and other potentially harmful conditions. For this reason, we always recommend that you damp-proof your property in case the worst possible case scenario occurs.
It may seem simple just to leave your basement to its own devices. While in many cases, there may not be any harm in doing so, we always advise that you take caution. Damp proofing is going to mean that your home is always going to stand resistant against the threat of harmful moisture. Damp conditions can lead to mould, especially black mould, which can have a huge effect on the breathing quality of the air in your home.
As mentioned, the closest room or space to the ground floor is going to suffer the most when it comes to external moisture and damp. For this reason, you need to be very careful with what you store in your basement. Electrical equipment, for example, could be at risk of getting irreparably damaged from season to season, also timber joists are particularly prone to moisture ingress, unless they’re adequately protected with some sort of barrier protection, such as the membrane protection pictured below.
Damp often starts out in a basement thanks to its lack of waterproofing. While other rooms in your home may be waterproofed and protected, this doesn’t mean your basement benefits from the same protection. Damp and water can easily penetrate the walls of your basement, which puts it at huge risk of developing mould and other problems.
Damp may not seem like much of a problem on the face of things. If you don’t use your basement much, you may wonder what the fuss is all about. Ultimately, leaving damp to take hold can mean that you are putting your whole home and your family at risk. Mould and fungus have a habit of rising and crawling through your home, and both can carry enormous health risks. What’s more, if you have ever seen mould or fungus growing on a wall, no matter what room, it is never pleasant to behold.
Basement damp proofing is the perfect solution, if not the best preventative measure, to ensure that your home stays free from nasty damp, fungus and mould which can rise up through the building. By waterproofing your basement, and by preventing moisture from getting through, you are keeping your home clean to breathe in, and pleasant to look at. Damp proofing may not seem like something you need to enter into as a priority, however, it is greatly recommended. This is especially the case if you intend to grow a family, or if you really want to develop your property.
LABS offer passionate, knowledgeable experts who have worked with thousands of different basements and other damp proofing jobs over the years. This means you can always rely on us to offer you the most efficient, cost-effective preventative measures for keeping moisture out of where it’s not wanted. Some moisture in the air is necessary – but too much, and your home is going to become a hotbed for nasty bacteria and disease. Why take the risk? It is surely worth the investment to ask an expert to come and take a closer look.
LABS operate in and around Sheffield, and even beyond. Call our team at any time to arrange a free quote and consultation, and to learn more about the damp proofing process. We’re here to help keep your home fighting fit for years to come! Call us on 0114 230 2865 or drop us an email today for more details and let’s get started ASAP.
Tanking, also known as ‘Type A barrier protection, is a form of waterproofing typically applied to basement spaces, however it can also refer to general waterproofing. Tanking means to block water and deny it access to a structure, usually by means of applying a barrier product to spaces that are vulnerable, such as in between the wall and plasterboards or stud work. It can also be applied externally.
BS8102 is the industry accepted best practice when undertaking structural waterproofing of below ground structures. Your builder should always consult BS8102 and or engage with a specialist waterproofing company before undertaking any basement waterproofing project to ensure that everything is done to the correct standard.
BS8102 covers types A, B and C waterproofing types, and gives guidance on correct installation. Please continue reading below for more information on the different types of waterproofing systems.
Drained protection involves using an internal drainage system, which includes a perimeter drainage channel and sump pump. This system involves installing a dimpled membrane on both the walls and floor, this then allows for any moisture that is gathered behind the membrane, to fall in to the perimeter drainage system which installed around the edge of the room, from here it runs in to the sump pump chamber, whereby it is discharged externally in to a drain. This is the most common type of basement waterproofing that we do at LABS, and it is in our experience the most effective. It is also desirable, as the system is completely hidden once the walls have been boarded and skimmed, and the flooring details are finished.
At LABS we do two variations of this system. The first one, is where the client intends to use the space as a habitable area (such as a living room or kitchen.) This system is essentially the one mentioned above, whereby everything is hidden once the project is finished, habitable basements also require a means of escape from the basement such as a window (minimum size of 600mm x 900mm). The second variation is for a storage basement, which comes in at a slightly cheaper cost. This is because in this system, the membranes installed on the walls are left exposed (no plasterboards/skim), and no means of escape is required to be installed.
Waterproof concrete is only really an option on a newly built basement. It is defined as ‘Type B structural integral protection’ within the code of practice BS8102. Waterproof concrete shares similarity with ‘tanking,’ in that water is blocked out of the structure, it differs in the fact that there is no physical barrier product included (such as a membrane).
There are some criticisms leveled at waterproofing concrete, from experts in our industry. Within our industry, it is fairly commonly reported that basement systems have failed, when this type of system has been used, when it has not been installed correctly. Typically, this is due to weak points at the construction joints, when concrete is being poured.
This is completely dependent on what you intend to use the space for but can also be affected by the levels of risk that are acceptable to the client.
BS8102 states that ‘even when a site investigation indicates dry conditions, the risk of future waterlogging should still be assumed’. The majority of water that finds its way into a basement is rainfall. However, there can be other causations such as a burst water mains pipe. It is for these reasons that it is important to always consider that, whilst it may not be wet or damp now, the issue can arise fast and cause a lot of damage to structures.
It may be acceptable to take small risks and spend a little bit less on damp proofing with a very basic basement space, however if you’re planning on investing a lot of money in to your basement space, it doesn’t make sense to try and cut costs on the waterproofing measures, as materials such as plasterboards will deteriorate over time, even if they are seemingly dry.
This is purely dependent on what you intend to use the space for. What you intend to place, and or store in the area and if you intend to inhabit it. If you can answer these questions, we can help you decide and design a project appropriate to your needs.
The drained protection system that we install at LABS, actually tends to benefit both sides of the party wall, because the system relieves any potential ground water pressure, meaning that any ingress of water on both sides, will be slowed. However, this is not the case when concrete tanking systems are applied, as this tends to increase the pressure of ground water on party walls, leading to more prevalent water ingress.
Whether or not you have to serve a party wall notice depends completely on the works that are being undertaken. For example, if you are underpinning or undertaking any structural alterations, you would have to service a party wall notice. If you are simply installing a dimpled membrane, with plug fixing, you may not have to.
LABS is here to help with basement conversions, damp control and much more. Looking for a new habitable space? Thinking about pricing up a basement storage conversion? Turn to a local team of experts you can trust. Call us today on 0114 230 2865 or make sure to send us an email through our web form. We’ll get back in touch with you as soon as we can!
Mould is a major inconvenience, and can actually be dangerous to a tenant’s health, if left untended. In this blog post we will be discussing the different methods, and precautions you can take in order to prevent mould growth in your home. Whilst it is important to learn how to get rid of existing mould, it is just as important to understand how to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
Below we will list 5 tips that will help you to prevent mould growth from occurring in your property.
Moisture can be a nuisance, as it makes its way into properties very easily given the right conditions. Finding a way to eliminate moisture is a key step in the prevention of mould growth. It is important to check areas that could frequently collect water or have a build-up of condensation. Windows, fridges and crawl spaces are all popular places for water to build up, and it is in these environments that mould will start to form. It is therefore vital, that you take all measures possible to quickly dry any moisture in areas like these, and perform the proper maintenance, so that no further moisture is allowed to settle.
Proper ventilation of your property is also a key factor in preventing mould growth. Ventilation works to prevent humidity from gathering in the air and getting trapped in an indoor space. If left unventilated, the space will simply build up with moisture, will in turn lead to widespread mould growth. Having good airflow in essential in cutting back on the moisture level, and it will help to dry the affected areas more quickly. You can optimise the ventilation by ensuring all vents are unobstructed, as this will ensure that the air is circulating efficiently, therefore further helping to keep the spaces dry.
Mould thrives in areas of high humidity. Because humidity often causes condensation, moisture is able to settle in your property, and the dampness will take much longer to dry out, because of the wet air. If the air inside your home, is suddenly exposed to rainy and/or excessively humid conditions, there is the potential for increased mould growth. Keep an eye on moisture building up around windows, or on walls and wipe down with an absorbent cloth to prevent mould from occurring.
Condensation is a major player in the formation of mould growth, it is therefore important to also treat and prevent this from occurring.
The key component to condensation in the air, is excess moisture, and so it makes sense to remove as much of it as possible in order to manage the build-up of condensation. A great way to do this is to use a positive input ventilation system, which is an energy efficient method of displacing stale contaminated air and replacing it with fresh filtered air. Fresh air is drawn from outside via the loft space through a filter on the unit and delivered into a central location in your home.
This displaces vapor-laden air, which lowers humidity levels, cures condensation and eradicates mould. The unit runs continuously except when the loft temperature rises above 25°C, when the unit will switch off. When the air temperature falls below 25°C, the unit will switch back on. For more information on these systems, see our shop page at: https://l-a-b-s.co.uk/product/positive-air-vents-heat-recovery-units/
Mould problems can occur as a simple matter of a fault roof, whereby water is allowed to ingress, as a result of full or damaged gutters. It is good practice to have your gutters regularly cleaned, and inspected for damage, so that any issues can be fixed, before they become a larger issue (This is a service we can provide at LABS.) Once necessary repairs and maintenance have been carried out, it is important to keep a close look out for any water stains, that may indicate a leak.
When you first spot damp or mould in your home, it can be tempting to leave it alone. Surely it’s just a cosmetic issue – right? Sadly not. Leaving damp walls to fester for weeks and months at a time isn’t just going to encourage the problem to grow; it’s going to potentially put your health at risk!
Yes – even the smallest of damp patches, or cluster of mould spots, will need attention as soon as possible. But why is this? And just how bad are damp walls for your health – how do you know when you’ve dealt with it completely? As experts in damp proofing for homes, LABS is always here to help. For now, however, let’s take a look at wall damp in a little more detail, so we can understand fully what we’re dealing with.
Damp walls are more than just unsightly. While you’re probably going to want to get damp and mould fixed before the problem gets any worse, there’s a chance you’re going to put you and anyone else in your home at risk. But why is this?
The answer is mould spores. Black mould spores, in particular, can thrive and grow in damp patches on all manner of surfaces in your home. Walls, in particular, are areas you should be paying close attention to. Black mould, ultimately, can prove fatal when inhaled. They are toxic to humans – which means no matter how healthy you think you are; you probably shouldn’t be taking any chances.
It’s best to get black mould attended to as soon as possible. However, there are plenty of symptoms to look out for if you’re worried that you’ve already been breathing in the spores. People who have breathed in toxic spores will have problems with breathing and even sickness. Black mould can be particularly deadly for asthma sufferers, as it can trigger attacks with very little warning.
Believe it or not, black mould can even lead to extensive illness and chronic conditions from person to person. Leaving damp walls to persist could put you and your family at risk of infection and even flu viruses. It may even lead to pneumonia if you’re not careful. If you are reasonably healthy and have a solid immune system, you probably won’t have much to worry about. However, if there are people at risk in your home, such as the very young or elderly, you are going to need to take action against damp as soon as possible.
Black mould can also cause severe lung damage over time. It can also cause a number of allergic reactions which, of course, can also prove to be deadly. Essentially, it is crucial that you identify and make arrangements for black mould to be removed safely as soon as physically possible. But how?
You may have seen plenty of household products on the market which promise to get rid of black mould once and for all. While some of these products – such as special paint or fungal kits – can work in some circumstances, many products available off-the-shelf are not going to be able to clear black mould and other dangerous growths as efficiently as you need them to.
Therefore, you are going to need to think about using high-grade equipment and products to make sure your damp walls can be easy remedied. Black mould can be killed with the right treatment; however, you don’t have to invest a lot of money in doing so. When opting for a worthwhile solution, there may not be any need for you to vacate, or to close off your rooms. Each case is going to be slightly different – which is why the team at LABS makes sure to be as flexible as possible when consulting with our customers.
It’s perfectly possible that you can treat and remove smaller mould spots and damp patches with household products. However, with large-scale problems, or those which have already grown black mould in spades, it’s time you thought about getting in touch with an expert.
The team at LABS works with the best equipment and industrial-grade products to safely treat and destroy mould for good. Damp walls may seem impossible to cure on your own. However, we make sure to closely identify the problems you are facing and to give damp and mould conditions the push. We always ensure to use treatments which will work as quickly and as effectively as possible, and what’s more, we will never charge over the odds for our services.
Need help with damp walls or black mould? Call the LABS team today on 0114 230 2865 or get in touch with us online to book a free consultation when you’re ready.
A sump pump is a major component in any home that is at risk to water ingress or flooding, it is essential in many basements in order to help rainwater/groundwater from entering. Any excess water that might have pooled up, under or around your home, will drain into a sump pump pit, which is then pumped away from the home and foundations. Just like most other appliances that might be found in your home, a sump pump needs regular maintenance in order to keep it functioning efficiently. Throughout this article we will be giving some fundamental tips which will help to ensure that your sump pump continues to function to its maximum ability.
It is important to be consistent with the maintenance for your pump, in order to minimise the chance of your home flooding. It is advisable to call out a professional in order to do this maintenance, but there are some simple steps you can take to improve the systems functionality.
• Flush the system with water three to four times a year, in order to remove any debris and residue that might have built up.
• Make sure that the float is unobstructed and can move smoothly without resistance (otherwise it may fail to activate when the water level gets too high).
• Visually scan the pit, and remove any debris, stones or mud.
• Test the pump by slowly pouring a bucket of water into the system, and ensure that the float rises alongside the water level, triggering the pump to start discharging.
• Water should be discharging away from the buildings and its foundations.
• It is advisable to disconnect the pump from the power source, and remove the unit.
• You should also replace the backup battery every two to three years.
With there being a variety of different sump pump systems, it is often a good idea to consult your manual for the manufacturer’s instructions on maintenance and schedules. However, it is advisable to follow the following schedule for maintenance:
• Monthly: If your sump pump is connected to, and disposing of water from a basement regularly, a monthly cleaning out of the pump screen and inlet is advisable. You should disconnect the pump from the power supply before cleaning, and ensure its plugged back in once completed.
• Quarterly: If your sump doesn’t dispose of water regularly, then the screen could be cleaned every-one, to three months.
• Annually: You should remove the sump pump, and clean both the pump and kit, at least once a year to ensure its functioning effectively and efficiently.
A professional inspection of your sump pump system annually will help to ensure that it is working properly, and also prolong the pumps lifespan in the long run. Contact LABS Basements and Damp Proofing, for further info on getting a service booked in.
If any of these problems occur, it is important for you to call a professional to come out and look at the system. Damage that can be done by a failed pump, could cost ten times as much as it would have been to fix the system earlier in its life cycle, therefore it is very important that you keep an eye out for any of the issues arising, and contact a professional to come and fix it sooner rather than later. Here are some of the issues that could arise:
• Power failures! If your power goes out, the pump system is completely useless and could flood when the sump reaches capacity.
• The sump becoming overwhelmed, it is important to select a pump system that will fit your requirement for water discharge. Selecting a cheap pump, with low capacity, might only lead to further costs if the pump is unable to keep up with the amount of water it has to discharge, and could even flood.
• A stuck sump pump switch
• Water freezing during cold periods, can cause blockages to the system, which would result in a flood if the issue is left unattended.
• Old age, the life cycle of a pump is around five to seven years, and it is advisable to replace them in this time frame to ensure that the system works to its maximum efficiency. An older pump might even fail without warning, which could result in a flood.
If you’re running in to any of these issues, or think you might have a problem with your sump pump, then the experts at LABS are on call! We’re here to give you our expert opinion, no sales pitch. Call LABS Building Services today on 0114 2302865 for any issues relating to your pump system or plumbing.
