Dampness in Buildings: Understanding moisture and mould

This course examines the difficulties of understanding the causes of dampness in buildings and reviews the means by which the causes and effects can be treated.

Moisture and mould growth in buildings continue to present problems even though awareness of the need for energy conservation and changes to the building regulations have influenced both the design of buildings and the behaviour of their occupiers. Practitioners and property owners still need to be able to distinguish between condensation and dampness, to recognise the causes in specific cases and to make judgements as to how they may be dealt with. They also need to understand mould growth, to recognise different forms of fungal attack, to judge how serious they are in specific cases and to advise as to how they might be treated. This course meets that need, focusing primarily on diagnosis but also considers treatment.

The course covers:

• moisture in buildings and materials
• surface and interstitial condensation
• rising and penetrating damp
• contaminant salts
• wet rot and fungal attacks
• identification and investigation of problems
• examples and case studies
• treatments available and their effectiveness

Graham Coleman is a specialist consultant who has been conducting investigations of damp and timber problems in buildings, together with the associated laboratory analysis, for over 30 years. He also provides specialist training in dampness, condensation, timber decay and timber infestation for surveyors, local authorities and housing associations.

Back to full 2013 programme of CPD courses for property professionals