Many people will have experienced it, you enter the property and you are hit with a stale musty smell. Instantly you know something is not right with this house and your main objective is to get back out info fresh air as soon as possible. This reaction is natural as your sensors are telling you that the air quality is not good and you need to escape. Estate agents may face this many times, especially if the property has been not used and closed down for sometime, therefore the viewing results in a failed viewing or a large price drop. So what makes air smell bad and is it bad for your health. Air smells bad due to the  accumulation of airborne particles, gases, and organic compounds, caused by mould growth producing bacteria in a greatly moisturised air which very often starts in the basement of the property, rising up through the floor levels . People very often ask, if it's moisturised, how does it rise. Well moist air is lighter and less dense than dry air with the same temperature and pressure. The air that has accumulated moisture becomes lighter and rises to the top. The moist air rises more readily that the dry air. The reason that the molecular mass can not be substituted by the number of molecules is the Avogadro's law which states that the equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules regardless of their chemical nature and physical properties. . Mould spores travel on or within water . While air currents are the primary method of dispersal for mould spores, water-mediated transport is a major way contamination spreads, particularly through high humidity and condensation. In summary, water acts as both a transport vehicle for moving spores to new locations and a necessary condition for them to begin growing once they arrive. Mould spores are bad for health, acting as allergens, irritants, or, in bad cases, toxic agents . Inhaling or touching spores commonly triggers allergic reactions like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and skin rashes. It can worsen asthma, cause respiratory issues, and irritate the eyes, skin, nose, and throat in both allergic and non-allergic people. How do you rectify a property with poor air quality? Many will say, ventilation, but ventilation is a two way thing, what goes out must come in or you have a vacuum. Air fresheners, well you are just masking the smell but you still have the spore. Spraying the settled mould with so called mould killer will kill the visible fungi but does not effect the airborne spore which is the dangerous one, being the one we inhale. Indoor air quality is the key to a healthy home. There is only one way, that is to get the air balance correct, stop the source of the moisture problem, sterilise the entire property and that requires a professional.

For many, simply cleaning away mould is enough, as long as it cannot be seen, all is good. Well I am afraid not. We even see cleaning companies offering this as a service now and of course many treads on social media full of well meant advice, but totally incorrect and dangerous. Mould is complex with over 100,000 species already identified, some are beneficial moulds like Penicillium but most are harmful of which is a vast diversity . Experts estimate hundreds of thousands of mould species exist, making visual identification difficult and professional help is necessary for safety. Here are twelve common types. Allergens:  Dead mould fragments and spores are still allergenic and can trigger reactions in individuals. Inhaling or touching these remains can cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, eye irritation, coughing, and asthma attacks. Mycotoxins:  Many moulds produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins. These toxins are present on the mould spores and fragments and can remain potent and harmful even after the mould organism itself has died. Exposure to mycotoxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact and has been linked to various health issues, though extreme poisoning from indoor air is rare in normal scenarios. Physical Fragments:  When mould dies or dries out, breaking into tiny, lightweight fragments that become airborne easily. These minute particles can bypass the body's natural filtration systems more easily than intact spores, potentially reaching deep into the lungs.  Importance of Removal Simply killing the mould (e.g., with bleach or other off-self products) is not enough; it  must be professionally removed to mitigate health risks.  BMT / pureAzone use electronic sterilisation which byway of an accelerator that disrupt microbial DNA, therefore effectively killing pathogens that are airborne or embedded in fabrics. High heat pads reaching over 100c are used for solid objects to kill fungi roots. After which a complete air exchange with high powered commercial units to remove any airborne of surface fragments. Mould is dangerous, treat it with respect

Exterior Wall Coating Costa del Sol do's and don't from the people who understand building structures. Paint  consists of four main components: pigments for colour, resins to act as a binder and help it adhere to a surface, solvents to control consistency, and additives to enhance specific properties, usually profile.  ​What is the secret of achieving the perfect coating. Preparation of the surface its to be applied. High quality additives.  High level content of quality pigmentation. Can paint provide thermal benefits? It may seem a strange claim when a wall is 30cm plus deep, that a 1mm paint film will provide warmer walls, and you would be right in questioning such a statement. Thermal conductivity is increased by moisture levels, so a damp wall looses heat by conductivity, transmitting the outdoor temperature indoors.  Paint therefore does not directly thermally insulate, it stops moisture penetration which reduces wall thermal conductivity. Built in high thermal membranes. You may find contractors offering a coating which is incorporating a structure built into product.  This may consist of small plastic beads or other small  crushed thermal additive.   The claim is "thermal benefits resulting in a warmer home" (well we covered that above) our point here is about its ability to adhere long term to a wall, and here is why.  A exterior paint should as near as possible maintain the same temperature as the wall it is applied too, so a thin membrane is good. If a thicker thermal element is applied this wall absorb the outdoor temperature, during warmer weather the thermal barrier acts like a poultice and draws moisture up between the paint and the wall resulting in a separation.   Many contractors have fell foul on that one. If you need thermal wall insulation.   Cladding for exterior, dry lining or specialist coating spray for the interior.  Breathable Paints. Breathable paints are not fully waterproof as they have an elastic type membrane which opens to allow water vapour to pass through.  Being not a fully sealed finish algae can enter, develop and form a separation in the bond. Not all paints are suitable for all surfaces. Some mineral paints, for example, are not suitable for application over conventional acrylic paints.   Paints should always be specified subject to a site survey. ​ And Finally Colours. In short at greater the reflective ability the better all round, so white is tops for sunny climates. Exterior wall coatings Costa del Sol https://www.123bmt.net/projects-6-1

A few days ago, a post popped up on Facebook from a person with a mould problem who was looking for help.  There was well over a hundred replies with their personal advice, of which all but one were giving bad advice, some even downright dangerous or stupid.  It seems that even in these modern times, the old myths on mould are still strongly embedded in peoples minds.    Mould and chest irritation So lets take a look. The growth of mould and its existence is in two parts, spores (the seed) and fungus.  Specifically, moulds are microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. They are a natural part of the environment and play an important role in breaking down organic matter. Mould is neither a plant nor a vegetable, it belongs to the kingdom Fungi, which is separate from both the plant and animal kingdoms.  Therefore moulds are a microscopic fungi creating a filamentous (thread-like) structure and responsible for the production of spores. So as I said, mould related problems are of two parts.  The fungus and the spore which it produces. The spore, which is the serious element is airborne.  It floats into your home through open doors and windows, if the environment is right, it will stay.  It settle itself in fabrics, bedding and mattresses and live with you for years with you being aware of its presence.  Once the air density of the spore is well establish, it seeks extra moisture and it forms colonies on walls where it grows as a fungus, this will be the first time you see it as black spots on cooler parts of the walls.  This is why its bad advice to recommend simply cleaning away to black spots on the wall.  Any disturbance, even air movement from walking passed the infected wall, fans, spraying with any moisture, even bacteria etc will trigger the fungi to release spores and you increase the density of the airborne spore element, in the fullness of time the development of more colonies.   In short. Mould spore cannot be removed by washing away the black secretion marks of the fungi on the wall, the dangerous element spores, are still alive and infesting the air.  Bed mattresses is another great home for the development of mould. It is a warm environment with lots of moisture. The fungi will embed deep into the mattress unseen. Each time you enter the bed, boom another release of spore enters the air. Did I hear someone say “Use a Dehumidifier”.  Yes a dehumidifier will lower the humidity, which is good if you have no airborne spore presently in your property.  A dehumidifier works by drawing air in from the room and passing it across a refrigerated plate.  This creates condensation on the plate and passes reduced moisturised air back out into the room, together with the spore, it does not kill them. Testing for mould spore.   Mould spore are everywhere, they are part of our eco system, so all areas indoors and outdoors, airborne spores are present, it is the density m3 that is the important factor.  There is only one way to professional test for indoor pollution, and that is with a certified air quality meter operated my a qualified technician.  These will analyse the air particle content in parts per million per m3.  The result allow a qualified technician to calculate the presents of volatile toxic elements and determine if sterilisation is required,.  Mould is dangerous, it will make you ill and in bad cases, can and does kill.  Posting ill advised unqualified information however well meant, is no help to anyone. www.123bmt.net

Irritation of nose and eyes due to mould Yet again I have been called out to undertake a survey for bad smelling air, high damp and mould problems Costa del Sol humidity in a property. The property had been treated for damp walls, just a two years ago by a contractor.  The contractors solution to the problem was to dry line the complete ground floor rooms.  The owner stated that the walls were first treated with a spray sealant prior to the installation of the boarding, no investigation as to why the walls were heavily moisturised was undertaken. Now two years on, there is a high registration of volatile toxics produced by mould spore, which is creating the bad odours, but no visual sign of mould through the property.   Making a very small access point into the paneling and using specialist probe meters with cameras, the source of the problem was clear.  The sealant that had been sprayed on had flaked off due to salt acid corrosion, and mould was well established behind the dry lining, its now only a matter of time before the dry lining boards disintegrated. Damp walls must never be covered or sealed, out of sight, out of mind is not a solution.  The cause for the moisture must be found and corrected.  Further more, it cannot be solved by injecting silicone or other fluids into the wall, as a perfect barrier cannot be achieved. (Have covered this in full in a previous blog post)  Dry lining itself is useful if you need to cover a dry wall in a hurry.  If the walls are uneven or unsightly?  Increase thermal and sound insulation. Need efficient and affordable method of dressing wall finishings for a renovation project?  In every one of these scenarios, dry lining is a good course to take, but it is not a solution for damp proofing. Alway get qualified advice on structural matters.  www.123bmt.net

Myths and misguided opinions when tacking mould and damp problems Costa del Sol. Over the years I have entered many homes to undertake surveys or rectification work regarding mould and very often surprised as to peoples ideas regarding what it is and how to get rid of it. Therefore I have written this article on this subject. Mould Infestation ​ What Is Mould? Mould is a type of fungus that consists of small organisms found almost everywhere. They can be black, white, orange, green, or purple. Outdoors, mould plays an important role in nature, breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees. Moulds thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air. You’re exposed to mould every day. In small amounts, mould spores are usually harmless, but when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can take up residence and start to grow. When mould is growing on a surface, spores are released into the air and can be easily inhaled. The microscopic spores it releases infects the lungs causing mould allergy symptoms like sneezing, runny noses, chest breathing problems, as well as constant musty odours. In bad untreated cases it can and does kill. Where Does Mould Grow? Your walls, floors, appliances, carpet, or furniture, they all provide the food mould needs to grow. But the thing all mould needs most is moisture, so you're most likely to see mould in damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and small spaces. Mould and damp problems Costa del Sol Myths and misguided opinions. ​ "Just open your windows." As you can see above, mould starts its life outdoors and becomes airborne. opening your windows allows the spores to enter your home where it may well take up residence, it does not commence in the home. "Just wipe the mould away with bleach, it works every time" Mould settles in many areas, not just walls, the fact that you are having to continually repeat the process, tells you that the mould is still present in your home embedded in the fabrics and furniture. "Mould is just part of living by the coast." It is true that living in coastal regions where the humidity is higher, increases the possibility of mould in your property. But that does not mean you have to live with it. "Mould is not harmful to your health or home." Nothing could be further from the truth, mould can infect lunges, eyes and even skin, in bad cases it can kill. That is why it has been given a category 1 health warning, that the same as asbestos. There has been many successful cases brought against landlords, due to the medical evidence based on health issues from mould spores. Furthermore, in cases were mould infection has not been checked, fabrics and furniture from the property have had to be destroyed.

The common reaction to moisture laden walls is Rising Damp. Is this possible, is water actually defeating gravity? There has been much discussion between architects and architectural associations as to whether this is possible for water to rise above the water table without any help. So lets talk about rising damp Mould and damp Costa del Sol Rising damp as a phrase is common place and it is the most used phrase by many contractors when seeing moisture patches on walls. Yes we all agree that if a moisture meter is placed on a moisture laden wall it will activate. The meter registered water so what else can be causing it but rising damp, a damp course must be installed correct, sorry wrong. For water to rise above the water table, it requires assistance, it cannot defeat gravity by itself. One very common problem is salt, this can come from the building materials and air quality within the property. The salinity of the Mediterranean is uniformly high throughout the basin . Surface waters average about 38 parts per thousand except in the extreme western parts, and the salinity can approach 40 parts per thousand in the eastern Mediterranean during the summer. The salt is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts water. And salt increases the ability of water to carry electrons, which get corrosive when a redox reaction occurs (reduction and oxidation). Most people will know that  salt air is most prevalent in coastal zones . Once salt settled on a wall, it will draw in moisture from the air and any localised nearby water source which will assist it to rise up the walls both internally and externally, usually to a height of .08 of a meter, from then on travel laterally. So what about a damp course? A damp course will have zero effect in controlling the moisture and is likely to do more structural damage than help the situation. Pumping fluids into the mortar line can cause a separation between the mortar and granule bonding, therefore weakening the structure. Another solution I very often come across is dry lining of the walls. Dry lining of walls is a very useful method to cover up untidy or uneven walls, or being used as insulation. But when used to cover up moisture laden walls, this is bad practise, as a damp wall can loose up to 50% of it load bearing ability. On a final point in this blog, we very often hear the phrase, "They don't install damp course's in Spanish properties" Well there is a very good reason for that. Southern Coastal Spain is sited over a fault, so all properties need to withstand tremors and a degree of gyration. Further more, there must not be any lateral barrier in the building line. So is there such a thing as unassisted rising damp coming up from the foundation, I am afraid not. Be sure to employ a qualified technician for surveys in all structural matters, not someone looking for a job. www.123bmt.net

Radon Gas, the silent killer, yet unknown by many.   Updated situation in mainland Spain. Radon, the enemy may be in your house. Almost 300,000 homes in Spain are exposed to high levels of radon, a gas that is the second cause of lung cancer after tobacco. In Spain, around 1,600 people die each year from breathing in radioactive particles in their homes. There has been much discussion  as to what is a safe level of radon gas in a home.  In short, no level is a safe level as radon is a dangerous radioactive gas.  Even in properties where the levels are low, the internal environment of a home can effect the buildup of gas.  Poor indoor air quality where levels of high humidity creates heavy air layers, especially in basements and under builds, keeping the gas low and allowing a buildup to a dangerous level. Radon map Spain The Radon map shows a higher concentration of indoor radon gas in the yellow to brown areas, the white areas are either low population, or yet to be mapped, it does not indicate they are free of radon gas.  As a broad guide, properties near sea level have less risk, a little back inland in rocky terrain above the coastline and the levels are higher. Why a radon survey is important. I was recently called out by a client to undertake a full house survey on a high end property they were considering purchasing. The villa was around ten years old and well maintained, so little to find fault with, that is until I undertook a radon test. My test meter was showing high level counts of radio activity. In such cases a further test has to be set up with specialist data collection meters run over a seven day period with the units placed in selected areas within the property. The following week I returned to check the meters to find a very high radon presence. which literally made the house unsafe for habitation. The owners were totally unaware of the radon, as it has no smell or visual print and can only be detected with specialist meters and a technician trained to interpret the data. So there is radon radiation gas in the property, is there a procedure to make the house safe? How radon gas enters a property Understanding radon gas is essential if an effective eradication plan is to be drawn up. Basically there are two methods, sealing and air pressure / exhaust induced movement, very often both methods are required. Radon gas is approximately 7.5 times heaver than air. Further more it has no chemical affinity, so is easily influenced by air movements and pressure, but does have a magnetic element which is traceable. For this reason expelling the gas by forced air systems (which I may say are widely used) can easily result in distributing the gas throughout the entire property and drawing more radon gas into the building. Getting the parametric pressure element and exhaust system correctly balanced is of paramount importance. Discharging radon gas is a complex matter. Randomly discharge it at low levels and the concentration falloff will have not taken place, as the concentration of radon at the discharge point can be tens of thousands of picocuries per minute, therefore creating a danger zone at ground levels and the possibility of reentry into the property. Testing for Radon.   As so many indoor elements can effect the test outcome, I believe there is really only one way to undertake a radon check professionally, that is with a physical hands on survey.  The practice of mailing small cheap chemical censors and asking the home owner to place censors in various rooms then monitoring remotely, is not the answer.   A full property survey is required, both internally and externally.  Air quality levels need to be checked to ensure the humidity levers are correct, as at a constant value of radon concentration, measured values have been found to increase linearly with increasing humidity, from 30% RH up to a value of ∼85% RH.  So any measurement of radon levels in high humidity could be up to 300% inaccurate.  Furthermore, I have found that placed sensors and installed smart home monitors can be greatly effected by indoor pollution, such as gasses produced from spores, mould and bacteria. Low levels of radon gas is everywhere, it when the numbers rise we need to be concerned. So get your property tested, you can read more and book a survey on my website: www.123bmt.net I am available to travel nationally and internationally. Make contact with your location and I can give you a costing.

Three Signs Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality. No matter where you live, humidity can greatly effect the air quality leading to health and overall comfort problems. In the summer, humidity can make the heat feel even worse, causing people to feel lethargic, irritable and generally unwell. While many people think of humidity is an out door problem, but indoors high or even low humidity can have more negative effects on your health and wellbeing. What are Normal Humidity Levels? Humidity is the measure of the level of moisture vapour suspended in the air around you. Although you can't see it, it's still there. The ideal relative humidity for health and comfort is somewhere between 30-50% humidity. This means that the air holds between 30-50% of the maximum amount of moisture it can contain. The Hazards of Too Much Humidity. Too much humidity can negatively impact your comfort, home, possessions and health. When the air around you has too much humidity, your body can't regulate its internal temperature through the process of evaporation. Too much humidity won't just make you uncomfortable, it can also make you sick. High moisture levels encourage the growth of fungus, mould dust and bed mites, which can create breathing difficulties for people with asthma and allergies. When it comes to your home, overly humid air creates a breeding ground for mould and mildew, which results in costly damage. Over time, high humidity levels can cause wood to rot and attract unwanted insects. Too much humidity also causes swelling in furniture and other items, causing them to warp. Why Too Little Humidity is Just as Bad. Air that's too dry can be just as damaging to your comfort, home, possessions and health as air that's too wet. Dry air can cause your skin to feel cold and itchy and can dry out other mucous membranes in your body, leading to sore throats and chapped lips. Dry air can also increase coughing, wheezing and other breathing difficulties. When humidity levels are too low, your home can suffer extensive damage from cracking and shrinking around door frames and moulding. Anything that's made from wood will begin to warp and bend as the dried wood shrinks in size. Wooden floors often creak more and may even separate. How to Tell if Your Home Has Poor Indoor Humidity. Having the right level of moisture in your home's air is critical to feeling your best and creating the perfect environment. Here are some signs that your home's humidity level is weighing you down: You're not sleeping well. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, think about your air. Too much or too little humidity can sabotage your sleep according to the National Sleep Foundation. When there's too much humidity in the air, your body must work harder to evaporate sweat in order to cool itself. As a result, you might struggle to fall and stay asleep. Breathing in air that's too dry can irritate your throat and lead to fits of coughing. You can't stop sweating inside your home. It can be exhausting when you feel like you're constantly sticky and covered in sweat. While you can't control humidity levels outside, you have control over your home. You have difficulty breathing. High home humidity levels can often lead to asthma symptoms such as chest tightness and wheezing. Humidity levels that are too low can also lead to a host of respiratory problems. To find if your home has the correct relative humidity levels book an air quality check with BMT. We are fully equipped with air quality meters to advise and correct any incorrect air balance. Go to http://www.123bmt.net to book your survey.