Does your home have a musty smell internally? A musty smell is often promoted by poor ventilation, "increased ventilation may hide the source of musty smells but does not solve the actual problem !!!", the musty smell can often be associated to suspended fungal spores in the air within the dwelling, fungal spores are suspected of being one of the triggers that can initiate respiratory problems in persons that may have a respiratory sensitivity as is the apparent case for some asthma sufferers. lot of research and development into improving buildings that are sometimes referred to as having "sick building syndrome. The sub-floor area is often totally neglected by building owners and can be the origin of many problems within a building
The sub-floor has a significant influence on the internal condition of a building and therefore a good environment within the sub-floor will generally mean healthier living within the habitable areas of the building.The condition of the sub-floor is affected by many variants and therefore to improve the environment under a building, the surrounds and the exterior of the building often need to be altered.To improve the environment under a building it is often necessary to undertake major alterations to the existing landscape, site drainage and amenity around the building. The costs involved can be quite high and therefore each and every job needs to be designed and quoted individually.
Condensation
Condensation is a common problem in many properties. Water vapour contained in the warm atmosphere (the humidity) is sealed into the structure as a result of double glazing, draft-proofing, or the sealing up of a disused chimney. When the temperature drops this vapour condenses on colder surfaces such as windows, metal roofing and external walls resulting in damp areas. These are usually in poorly ventilated spaces i.e. corners of rooms, bedroom cupboards and behind furniture.
Human activities such as exercise, breathing, showers, clothes drier use and cooking all contribute significantly to the internal humidity levels of a dwelling. Moisture from condensation will often attract termites and promote mould growth, it is important to ventilate the interior of buildings to reduce humidity and minimise condensation forming. Often simple alterations to the building can reduce the accumulation of condensation significantly.
Sub-Floor Solutions
Improve sub-floor ventilation. Alter the ground condition within the sub-floor
• Reduce or redirect the source of damp within the sub-floor.
• Suppress mould growth within the sub-floor areas.
•Possible restumping or underpinning of foundations.
• Reinforcement of damage timber floor frames.
•Installation of structural steel members
•Excavation works
•Removal of formwork
•Minimise plant root growth under foundations
Alter ground levels around the exterior of the building.
•Removal and/or replacement of timber retaining walls/garden sleepers.
• Tree stump removal.
•Tree root pruning and barriers.
•Co-ordination of drainage and stormwater replacement/repair/redirection.
Accurate Home Inspection of Atlanta. Georgia Inspections Mold testing.
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