Concern & action: Rain and Drains (liquid moisture penetration)
Excess liquid moisture in fabric caused by rain and poor fabric condition (e.g. poor pointing, porous masonry, cracks), defective rain water goods, high ground levels, high water table, poor detailing (e.g. around windows, external wall insulation) or reduced ability of the fabric element to dry (due to reduced vapour openness or reduction of heat reaching the fabric).
Suggested actions
Before Implementation
Ensure property is in good state of repair prior to refurbishment. Commission a professional building surveyor (RICS) to investigate condition of fabric. If necessary repair any features that may reduce effectiveness of measure e.g. re-point wall, mend/replace downpipes, reduce ground levels and add drainage to ground around property. Careful surveying and detailing required at design stage to provide clear information with full installation details (e.g. of VCL layer if applicable).
During implementation
After implementation
RELATED MEASURES
FABRIC (13)
External Wall insulation
Internal Wall insulation
Frame infill insulation
Loft insulation
Rafter insulation
Flat roof insulation
Room in roof insulation
Floor insulation between/under floor joists
Floor Insulation on top of existing floor finish
Floor void filled with insulation
Exposed soffits to upper floors: Insulation in between joists or under soffit
Replacement of existing ground floor with new concrete insulated solid ground floor
BEHAVIOUR (1)
RELATED REFERENCES (8)
The Performance of Traditional Buildings: the SPAB Building Performance Survey 2013 (2013)
Rye, C, Scott C & Hubbard, D.
Breathability: The Key to Building Performance (2005)
May, N.
Guidelines to avoid mould growth in buildings, Advanced Buildings Energy Research, 3, pp. 221-236. (2009)
Altamirano-Medina H., Mumovic D., Davies M., Ridley I. and Oreszczyn T.
A Short Paper on the Conventions and Standards that govern the
understanding of moisture risk in traditional buildings. (2012)
Rye C and MayN
A Short Paper on Internal Wall Insulation (2012)
May N
Conversion of Traditional Buildings Part 2 - sections 3 Enviroment & 6 Energy (2007)
Ed. Dennis Urquhart, Historic Scotland
Early cavity walls (2012)
English Heritage