This blog concentrates building performance, moisture failure e.g mold, indoor air quality and energy efficiency of buildings as well as repairing of buildings.
A sound buildings
The objective in construction has always been to make sound buildings. However, because a building is a long-lasting product compared with many other utility goods of this industrial age, it is possible that different kinds of damage caused by different reasons may occur. The causes of damage may be construction errors, errors made during repair, or incorrect use, which usually is the result of missing or poor operating and service instructions. At times, something previously unknown may surface that cause damage later. Examples from past years include formaldehyde problems and radon problems in indoor air. To a certain extent, the same is true in today’s microbe (mold) problem. Rot damage, which may cause structural problems, has traditionally been recognized as a problem in a building. In general, mold has not been held to be very hazardous, although experts in the field have known about its danger for a long time. On the other hand, good, fresh indoor air has always been a goal, and surely mold or microbe growth have not belonged inside a building in the previous decades, either. Even very old guides in the field of construction have dealt with these basic questions.
Avoid building damages
Most moisture damage to a building can be avoided if a few basic issues are taken into consideration during construction. According to feedback information, wet rooms, floor structures and the joint between the footing and the bottom edge of exterior walls and also roofs are the most difficult places in a building. So, simply said, careful design, construction and maintenance of these three structures will guarantee long life for a building.
Good indoor air
In general, it can be said a building breathes mainly thorough its ventilation system. Regardless of what kind of ventilation system is used, it must be capable of exchanging a sufficient amount of air to prevent hazardous substances from accumulating indoors. According to present knowledge, the best situation from the standpoint of ventilation is controlled entry of fresh, clean air into the rooms of a building and controlled exhaust of used air. There should be slight under pressure inside a building to prevent moist air from penetrating structures through possible leaks in the shell of the building. Control of ventilation is improved if the outer shell is airtight, which means there must be an airtight layer inside, an air barrier (cardboard, plastic, etc.) and a wind barrier on the outside.
A building is a whole unit
From the standpoint of the functioning of a building, it is important to design and construct a building with overall functionality in mind. The structures should be functional, but the ventilation system, plumbing system and automation should support overall functionality. Even though separate parts and devices of a building function well independently, this does not guarantee proper functioning of the whole product. In this sense, simple, clear operating and service instructions are not the least important matters. They should be included in all types of buildings. Maintenance and upkeep are important from the standpoint of long-term functionality of a building. Most important is preventive maintenance, which helps in eliminating undesirable factors beforehand.
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