CONDENSATION
SURVEYS
Are you a property owner or potential buyer concerned about condensation issues within the building? It’s time to enlist the help of AMS SURVEYS. We offer comprehensive independent damp surveys across Cheshire, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester and the surrounding area to gather the facts and give you the knowledge you need to resolve your condensation problems.
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HOW TO STOP CONDENSATION
A build-up of condensation in the home is perhaps the most common cause of damp problems in homes; up to 30% of UK homes report seeing condensation and mould in their home every day during the winter months.
Our expert guide on how to stop condensation will explain what causes condensation and how to deal with associated problems like damp, peeling decorations, unhealthy living conditions and black mould growth.
MANAGING CONDENSATION IN THE HOME
KEEP WINDOWS OPEN TO REMOVE CONDENSATION
Double glazing, installed in our homes for comfort, can actually make it harder for air to flow in and out of your home. It is essential you have adequate ventilation so the moisture in the air can escape outside and does not build up inside your home. For this reason we would recommend that you keep your windows or trickle vents open as often as possible to allow optimal airflow.
DO NOT BLOCK AIRWAYS, AIR VENTS, AIR BRICKS WINDOW TRICKLE VENTS OR CHIMNEYS
Make sure your property’s airways are clear. Vents blocked by furniture or air bricks clogged with dirt and leaves will prevent air moving freely and lead to moisture build up in your home.
INSTALL AN EXTRACTOR FAN
Proper ventilation is essential to allow the moisture to escape from a property before it turns into condensation. Installing a mechanical fan in moisture producing rooms like the kitchen and bathroom will improve the humidity levels and prevent condensation. This can be as simple as an extractor fan or something more sophisticated such as a PIV unit or heat recovery ventilation.
DRY YOUR CLOTHES OUTSIDE
Drying clothes on radiators can add litres of extra moisture in your home. If possible, dry your clothes outside. If this is not possible, put them on a clothes horse in an enclosed room with the window open.
WHAT CAUSES CONDENSATION
Normally moisture will remain in the atmosphere, but as the room air temperature drops, the ability of air to hold moisture reduces, and the air becomes saturated. Condensation is caused when humid air meets cold surfaces, like walls and windows.
When airborne moisture suspended in this humid air comes into contact with a colder surface it reaches dew point and turns back into water droplets. This is why you often see water collecting on windows when you have a condensation problem.
Wiping away water droplets from windows isn’t too much of a chore, but if condensation is allowed to sit on surfaces like window frames or walls for long periods of time it becomes a bigger problem causing unsightly damp patches, timber decay, peeling paint and wallpaper and black mould growth. Condensation is often misdiagnosed as Rising Damp.
The main condensation solutions are managing temperature to keep surfaces above the dew point and ventilation to expel the warm, moisture-laden air to the outside.
REGULATED AND PARTNERED WITH
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What is a Level 3 Survey?A level 3 survey is more thorough and detailed than than a Level 2 and will address matters such as the materials used for each part of the building, defects and remedial options as well as issues related to the future maintenance of the property.
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How much does a Level 3 survey cost UK?A Level 3 Home Survey, sometimes called a Building Survey, costs £800 on average, though it can be as cheap as £600 and as expensive as £1,200. A Building Survey is the most comprehensive of all the survey types.
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Is a RICS Level 3 worth it?Level 3 (Building or Structural Survey) This type of survey is more in-depth than a Level 2. It's also the best option for unusual or older properties, those that have undergone significant alterations. This type of RICS survey will cover: The property's overall condition in detail, including both major and minor defects.
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Does a level 3 survey check for damp?The surveyor uses equipment such as a damp meter, binoculars and torch, and uses a ladder for flat roofs and for hatches no more than 3m above level ground (outside) or floor surfaces (inside) if it is safe to do so. So yes, the property is checked for signs or evidence of damp, however this may recommend a Damp and Timber Survey whereby chemical testing and analysis may be required.
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How long does a Level 3 survey take to complete?The RICS Home Survey Level 3, also known as a full structural survey and previously as a RICS Building Survey, is the most thorough survey RICS offers. It can take around 2-4 at the property, maybe more depending on the size, type and condition for the surveyor to complete a Building Survey. It then takes several hours more to produce and write the report.
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Is a Level 3 survey structural?The RICS Home Survey Level 3 has often been previously referred to as a “full structural survey” or “building survey”. The report can be on an RICS Home Survey Level 3 template or can be to the surveyor's bespoke design. Level 3 reports are conducted by Building Surveyors. Whilst the structure is reported upon, it does not necessarily provide a detailed investigation of structural issues such as subsidence or cracking which usually requires intrusive investigation. In which case you may need a Structural Inspection.
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What areas does AMS SURVEYS cover?We cover: Cheshire, Lancashire, Liverpool and Manchester and everywhere in between.
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What are the red flags on a house survey?Property surveyors can identify issues that may impact a buyer's decision to continue with the purchase. These red flags could include structural damage, unapproved extensions, damp or subsidence. Ultimately it depends on the cost of those repairs and whether you are able to negotiate the purchase price or willing to accept risk and the cost of those repairs.
