Changing tenant behaviour to reduce the presence of damp and mould

Damp and mould can pose significant problems within residential settings and may even result in health issues for those exposed to it. However, by combining some small behavioural changes by the property’s tenants with goldeni’s cutting-edge IoT technology, it may be possible to limit its development or prevent it altogether. 

The causes of damp and mould

Damp, and the resultant mould, can be caused by several factors within a property. Leaking pipes, water entering the home through faulty windows and rising damp, which sees water rise through the building from ground-level because of insufficient wet proof coursing, are common causes. 

Condensation is also a significant source of damp and mould caused by an excess of water in the air. Therefore, condensation can develop because of domestic activities such as cooking or showering, which produce steam or drying clothes indoors. Homes that are poorly ventilated may also create condensation, as well as poorly heated properties due to prohibitive energy pricing or poor insulation that prevents the home from maintaining a suitable temperature.

The risks of damp and mould

From a property perspective, damp and mould can be highly damaging to the fabric of the building, causing decay and cosmetic damage. However, mould and damp can also negatively affect the health and wellbeing of those exposed to it. Mould and damp are linked to respiratory problems such as asthma and may impact the immune system. In some cases, mould may even cause allergic reactions in those exposed to it.

Reducing damp and mould

Damp and mould can be persistent problems; however, it may be possible to tackle these issues by making small behavioural changes. 

Condensation caused by domestic tasks such as cooking, drying clothes and showering can be reduced by improving the ventilation within a property, for example, by opening a window. goldeni’s temperature and dew point sensors can be deployed around the home where they will continually measure the internal conditions. If the sensors detect that the internal conditions have changed. There is an increased risk of condensation development, and the tenants will be provided with an alert via the app to enable them to take action and reduce the chance of damp and mould. 

To combat condensation caused by low internal temperatures, goldeni’s sensors can alert the property services team when homes are not being sufficiently heated. This enables property teams to liaise with tenants who may not be using their heating due to fuel poverty or alert them to issues relating to the property’s insulation which can then be rectified.  

In the case of water coming into the home via a leaking pipe, it is essential that the source of the water is identified and addressed quickly to minimise the issue. However, in some situations, the leak may be in a location out of sight, such as under the bath or washing machine, meaning that the issue may be allowed to persist. goldeni’s sensors offer a solution to this scenario through innovative leak detection technology. The sensors can be placed in strategic areas, such as those mentioned, so that tenants and property services team are immediately advised of any identified water leaks, enabling them to attend and fix the problem before condensation levels rise. 

How goldeni works 

godleni’s IoT technology is deployed throughout the home to measure and monitor for temperature, humidity and CO₂ levels.  Low temperatures, high humidity and high CO₂ levels indicate poor conditions within the home and the likelihood of condensation. As humidity levels rise, condensation is building up throughout the home with the resultant damp and mould growth within the following few days. 

Being able to receive alerts in advance of damp and mould taking hold in the home provides property maintenance teams with the ability to rectify the issue before it becomes a disrepair claim. Understanding what led to the build up of condensation and the resultant damp and mould can also help when managing a disrepair claim. 

To inform the tenants as to the health hazards of damp and mould within their home and encourage a change in their behaviours, the goldeni Home Health APP provides tenants with insights and encourages them to make changes in the home such as opening a window to reduce the build up of humidity and condensation. A small change by the tenant can have a big influence on the internal conditions 

of their homes. 

To find out more about how goldeni can help you to identify and prevent the build up of condensation and resultant damp and mould disrepair issues and associated costs, please contact the team on info@goldeni.com