Tackle Condensation - PIV Unit Advise Please

jun1or

Hello All

This is a very friendly forum and found lots of information about how to tackle condensation.

I have tenants in my house and after 6 months (oct) i visited the house and noticed black mould on the Windows and outside walls of the bedrooms and Bathroom. The house is an ex-council Parlour house.

So to sort the issue I replaced my Windows, as these were very old and thought these could cause issues. I also bleached away the mould and in one of the rooms used condensation paint and replaced the affected wallpaper....now another 6 months gone and the mould on th windows has started to appear again and on the walls where i bleached the mould has returned, however the wall i used condensation paint is okay but the paper is wet and has stains. I can confirm I have air bricks in each room.

I decided to get a preservation company to have a look and they recommended to install a Extractor fan in the bathroom and install a PIV unit made by a company named PAM Ties and quoted me £500 with fitting.

pamties.co.uk/product-details.asp?product=8195

My question is has anyone got experience with this model and is it any good? He has advised to have air coming in from the middle of the upstairs corridor.

Many Thanks

macman

If the tenants aren't adequately ventilating the property, then no amount of remedial work will eliminate it.
If the problem has not arisen with previous tenants, that proves my point.

WestonDave

If there isn't an extractor fan in the bathroom, fitting one would be sensible given that people tend to shower more which spreads steam and spray about more than a bath. However there shouldn't really be a need for a PIV unit if the tenants open the windows enough to change the air.

jun1or

Before the tenants I lived in this house with my family and we had the same issue despite opening Windows and air vents. However I use to clean the mould soon as i see it.

We dont see this downstairs and in of the other bedrooms.

WestonDave

What's the construction like? Condensation will tend to form on colder surfaces, so its possible that if you cavity wall insulated it, you'd not have the cold spots on those walls, leading to condensation and then mould.

jun1or

Not sure the year it was built but its an ex-council, Red Brick, Semi-Detached. I bought this house from an old couple and I beleive the walls are insulated, the loft is also insulated.

Similar to the one in this link
findaproperty.com/for-sale/property-11397811

iamcornholio

Whilst condensation is generally a lifestyle issue, not all properties are easy to deal with, and some may be prone to condensation whatever precautions are taken and whoever lives in there

Positive pressure fans are very effective at eliminating condensation issues, but are a last resort

Normal siting for a house is above the stairwell, but some tenants do complain of draughts/cold air and may turn them off.

Other makes are Drimaster, Vectaire and Greenwood to name but a few. The fitting of these may require other vents around th eporperty too, so confirm this with the surveyor/installer

jun1or

iamcornholio wrote: »

Whilst condensation is generally a lifestyle issue, not all properties are easy to deal with, and some may be prone to condensation whatever precautions are taken and whoever lives in there

Positive pressure fans are very effective at eliminating condensation issues, but are a last resort

Normal siting for a house is above the stairwell, but some tenants do complain of draughts/cold air and may turn them off.

Other makes are Drimaster, Vectaire and Greenwood to name but a few. The fitting of these may require other vents around th eporperty too, so confirm this with the surveyor/installer

Drimaster seems to be getting good reviews and majority of people used this system seem to be much happier and provide positive feedback on the forums.

When you say other vents, is this so that air can escape?

iamcornholio

jun1or wrote: »

When you say other vents, is this so that air can escape?

Yes, but it depends on the property and site survey as to whether any are required.

You may have (or should have :whistle:) ) had trickle vent fitted in the new windows

jun1or

unfortunately i didnt at the time.
Thanks for the advise i will speak to the chap regarding vents. He will be doing the work next week. I assume he has requested a good price.