COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, June 14, 2010

QUESTION NO.4

QUESTION: Councillor S. Crowe

To ask the Manager can he give a report outlining the work carried out by the newly formed unit examining damp and mould in housing accomodation, the amount of inspections,the units where problems have been identified and successfully resolved?

REPLY:

A report to the April County Council meeting set out in detail, the background to this problem and the method by which it was being addressed.

In the past 6 weeks, more than 40 detailed surveys have been undertaken in housing units which had been the source of complaints received concerning dampness / condensation in the very severe weather experienced over the winter period. 14 dwellings are already resolved following inspections and discussions with tenants

In a total of 24 homes, defects were identified requiring treatment which ranged through the following categories:

1.    Condensation caused by defective roof insulation

2.    Condensation caused by window defects

3.    Cold bridging

4.    Blocked or defective vents

5.    Inadequate cooker extraction

6.    Leaks in plumbing / heating systems

7.    Lack of adequate ventilation practices on behalf of tenants

8.    Treatment of Mould / staining caused by leaks which have been repaired

In all of these cases, remedial action has been identified across a combination of the following categories:

A.    Repair / installation of wall vents

B.    Window repairs

C.    Insulation works to deal with cold bridging

D.   Relocation of radiators

E.    Repair / replacement of cooker hoods

F.     Minor maintenance response

In 9 ground floor apartments which are more prone to condensation due to less efficient air circulation than in a traditional two-storey house, three different fan-assisted ventilation systems are being piloted. Their operation / effectiveness will be assessed over a period and the selected solution will be brought into general use where condensation issues arise and can be resolved in this way.

The surveys undertaken to date represents more than 20% of the properties from which complaints were logged. Given the improved weather conditions over the past month, it is not practical to continue the surveys for the present. These will be resumed in the autumn when realistic measurements can be obtained in climatic conditions which are more conducive to condensation problems arising. It is expected that all relevant homes will be assessed before the end of the year. Remedial works, where warranted, will be undertaken soon after assessment.