damp and mould

There are a number of issues that come about from the fact that nearly 80% of homes in England are over 40 years old1 – and it is forecast that 80% of our existing building stock will still be in use in 20502!

The most common issues include condensation and damp, draughts, and excessive cold brought on by a lack of insulation which makes heating systems work harder for more money and less warmth. This leads many people to pay for wasted energy – which they struggle to afford as we continue to experience a cost of living crisis. According to the English Housing Survey 2022-23, over a quarter of tenants struggled to pay rent in both the private and social housing sectors3, so it is crucial that their property is energy efficient and air tight so they are able to retain heat within their property.

In the realm of social housing, the challenge of mould and damp demands urgent attention. These issues not only compromise the aesthetic appeal of properties but also pose serious health risks to residents if left unaddressed. Following recent legislative amendments emphasising the necessity of safe and habitable living conditions, there is heightened pressure to tackle these concerns promptly, especially considering tragic incidents such as the passing of Awaab Ishak.

Invicta Construction Finishes, a member of the CorkSol Independent Approved Applicator Network, have worked with North Yorkshire Council on a number of their social housing properties.

CorkSol were approached by Together Housing, providers of social housing, with a portfolio of over 37,000 properties. Some of these are hard to treat properties, requiring sustainable solutions to solve a range of problems whilst working towards their Net Zero targets.

By Luke Smith, managing director of Build Test Solutions

Qest has over 13 years of experience working within the social housing sector across England and Wales. We are a specialist SME provider of mould eradication, thermal insulation, and energy insulation services.

VORTICE which has been based in the UK since 1977 and is part of the VORTICE Group, has seen a restructure of the UK division with newly appointed General Manager Stephen Smith. During this exciting time VORTICE has implemented a brand new management system and complete service solution aimed at the private landlord to help combat issues with mould and damp.