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- BMT & Associates | Mould & damp specialist Costa del Sol
Mould and damp problems. Rising Damp, Humidity problems. Indoor air quality specialist. Qualified Technician. Costa del Sol. BMT & Associates. Problems with mould & humidity? Indoor air quality tests. Air ventilation systems installed. Fully qualified technician, best service to ensure correct advice & procedures for all mould infestation, humidity and indoor air quality matters. Leader in indoor air purification Mainland Europe & UK. Established 1982. Why indoor air quality tests are important for mould and damp. Indoor air quality testing is the key for establishing the presence of mould in a property. This due to it being primarily airborne and only becoming visible when well established and growing as a fungi in your home. Mould spore is the dangerous one that infests the respiratory system. It settles unseen in fabrics and without an air quality test it cannot be traced. All mould surveys should commence with an air quality diagnostics and microscopic test undertaken by a qualified technician equipped with the correct instruments. Read More Book a free independent home survey to check for damp, mould and air quality. Fully Qualified Technician. On site lab tests for mould, airborne spore and air sampling analysing. See Surveys Damp Damp Walls Damp is bad for your health and home. Book a survey today to trace and provide the correct solution to solve the problem permanently. Read More Air Purification Indoor Air Quality Have your indoor air quality checked. Air quality is the key to all mould and indoor pollution problems. book a survey today. Read More Salt Acids Salt Acids Having problems with flaking paint, poor plaster work and white powder growth. Read More Humidity Air Ventilation Specifying and installing forced air systems for air balancing and moisture removal for problematic indoor spaces . Read More Magnetic wave Magnetic Wave Indoor magnetic wave resulting from faulty appliances and wiring can be problematic for some people resulting in restless disturbed sleep. We can check and source problems. Book a Survey Sterilisation Electronic Sterilising None toxic air purification and sterilisation for fresh homes and business environments. Read More Survey Book a survey If you think you have an indoor air quality problem, damp or mould, you can book a full in-depth survey with onsite lab tests and written reports also available. Its the correct way to proceed. Read More Mould Mould Mould is a live and dangerous growth which will spread throughout your home, don't live with it, eradicate it correctly. Read More Air Exchange Air Replacement Part of our mould sterilising process is to completely replace the indoor air together with its pollutants . Read More Gasses Sneezing, Sore Eyes Sore eyes, runny nose etc is a sign of irritation and may well be caused by indoor gasses generated by mould spore. Read More Under Builds Damp Basements Filtered air transfer & tanking systems for under builds. Basements suffer from stagnated air, mould or damp. Book a survey today. Read More Mould Shower Rooms Shower rooms are a haven for mould, all that moisture and humidity. They get embedded in the tiles etc, we can check it out and fix it. Read More Pre Purchase Pre purchase Survey If you are about to purchase a property, your first step should be a pre purchase survey, it can save you thousands. Read More Blog Read latest Blogs Read the latest blogs on mould, damp, air purification and radon Read Now Mould Spore Microscopic Tests Whilst mould fungi is visible, the spore is invisible and cannot be detected with meters, therefore requiring specialised air sampling with onsite microscopic analysing of the results. Read More Air Quality Remote Monitoring Permanent remote monitoring of your indoor air quality to ensure all is well for your families wellbeing. Read More Odours Odours Foul smelling odours are normally a result of a sanitation problem, get it check out, we have the equipment. Read More Radon Indoor Radiation Over the last decade indoor radiation has become a big health issue. Read More.. Read More Pure Water Is Your Water Pure If your household water is coming from a storage tank, then the chances are it is not. We can test water tanks to make sure they are safe. Read More Architectural Architectural Design Villa build from design to completion, the smart way to buy. Click image to take a look at our villa website. Read More MOULD & DAMP PROBLEMS. INDEPENDENT SURVEYS BY INDOOR AIR QUALITY SPECIALIST FOR COSTA DEL SOL, IRELAND & UK. ACID CORROSION. MOULD AND HUMIDITY PROBLEMS. BMT & Associates. Est: 1982
- Mould & Humidity specialist Costa del Sol | BMT & Associates
Professional none toxic mould spore removal from your home. Rising Damp Treatment. Costa del Sol. Book a free survey today. Qualified Technician. Professional none toxic mould and spore removal from your home. Rising Damp Treatment. Book a free survey today. Qualified Technician. Mould infestation cannot be stopped by simply cleaning away the visible fungi. Correct mould removal is vital to your health and home. If you have a sneaky suspicion you have mould and mildew anywhere in your home don’t use bleach. More on that in a minute. Mould is a serious problem. It turns your lovely white walls into black, discoloured walls and shows up as black spots on furniture and fabrics. It is also bad for your health because 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. Normally the first signs of infestation About 1 in 3 properties in Southern Spain will suffer from mould infestations due to the humidity and warm climate conditions. Knowing how to kill mould is important. So how about bleach. The active ingredient in household bleach is sodium hypochlorite, which is derived from salt. Meaning household bleach begins and ends as salt and water, leaving a high water content which feeds the mould. Salt also is a major problem in buildings which slowly eats into your walls. See "SALT ACIDS." Further more, general cleaning agents will also increase the VOC elements. So bleach can actually contribute to your mould problem. Even full strength bleach can only remove the surface black sticky substance that the spores produce. Mould enters fabrics throughout a property, it can also grow deep roots into porous surfaces such as plaster, wood and fabrics, bleach can not eradicate the problem. It must also be remembered that mould is a symptom of a problem, maybe humidity or damp, lateral, rising or leakage and this must be found and corrected to avoid the mould returning. Mould out of control and rapidly spreading and will go on to infest the whole house if not stopped. We undertake the removal of mould infestation from small areas to the whole house. It is undertaken using specialised sterilisation products and equipment. We will also source the underlying problem, advise and correctly accordingly. Firstly we need to see the problem firsthand so we can advise as to timescale and the undertaking. If mould is caught early it maybe nothing more than a few hours undertaking and low cost, but the longer you leave it, the greater the task both in timescale and equipment used. Book a survey now, it's free and without obligation. Make contact on the form below to book a full survey. If mould is left unchecked it can penetrate into the wall structure Understanding Mould You can find a lot of information on mould online, but trying to understand it may be difficult to those who didn’t take biology and chemistry. Even after stumbling through the pronunciation of these words, not everyone can comprehend what was meant by the statement: “Satratoxin, a low-molecular weight non-volatile organically derived agent, belongs to the macrocyclic trichothecene class of mycotoxins generated from fungal microorganisms.” This blog attempts to explain mould in a less scientific manner. It will focus on those types of mould that have been considered as problematic to the “indoor mould issue” therefore does not address other fungal organisms which may behave differently. Analogies presented are not intended to be scientifically accurate, but rather to illustrate complex behaviours in more simple terms. Most people will associate mould with allergies and these reactions are certainly prevalent with most all species found indoors. In addition to causing an allergic response, mould can be irritating, infectious and even toxic to humans. Understanding the general behaviour of mould provides insight into the adverse components produced by mould. The Organism Fungi can be considered nature’s garbage disposal. Without them, there would be mountains of leaves, dead trees, and other organic materials sitting so they are very important to our eco system. Mould spores are floating around in the air continually, when they land on a food source, they sit there patiently waiting for water. If the item they land on should contain sufficient moisture, or water comes from another source (leaks, etc.), the spore germinates and hyphae grows. The hyphae branch out, secreting enzymes to breakdown the food, form the mycelium, and absorb nutrients to grow. As long as the food and water hold out, colonies will continue to grow. Note that individual hyphae and spores are very, very small and few can see them without a microscope. When you see visible mould, you are generally seeing that mass of mycelium. Mould spores can intertwine into fabrics and wall substrate which they will penetrate. As it consumes the substrate, it can also create it’s own route by dissolving pathways into the material. This is one of the reasons it is so difficult to kill and/or clean up mould on organic substrates by traditional cleaning methods. If you remove the surface growth, those bits of hyphae within the substrate are ready for re-growth upon the return of moisture. As the organism matures, it develops spores intended for reproduction. Spores vary in size, shape, weight and methods of distribution. Some are light and buoyant so they float easily through the air. Others are wet and sticky allowing them to cling to insects, rodents, etc. as a mode of travel. Volatile Organic Compounds As mould consumes it’s food source, the chemical reactions of enzymes, substrates and mould growth produce carbon dioxide, water, and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Because these items are a result of actions essential to the growth of the organism, they are classified as primary metabolites. For mould, many types of VOC are produced and typically include aldehydes, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. They have complex structures and names like “2-methyl-1-propanol”, so if you are going to dig deeper into VOC, get ready for chemistry class. They are called volatile in that they evaporate easily at room temperature and pressure. When you smell a musty-mouldy odour, it’s generally the VOC you are noticing. VOC are often considered irritants to mucus membranes, however, are also capable of both short-term and long-term adverse health effects. If you do smell these odours, it’s a sure sign the mould is consuming and growing and you need to take action. (Note that VOC may also be derived from non-mould sources including natural materials used in cleaning agents.) Toxins Mould is capable of producing compounds called mycotoxins which are toxic to other organisms, including people. Mycologists believe these toxins are produced as protection against competing organisms and therefore, humans are simply caught in the cross-fire of this fight for survival. Some of these toxic substances are considered extremely hazardous to people. Lab and field studies have shown these compounds to produce severe toxic effects in both animals and humans and therefore, the general recommendation is to minimise exposure to potentially toxigenic mou ld. Symptoms from toxic exposure range from flu-like symptoms, skin rashes and lesions, bleeding, fatigue, difficulty breathing, depression, etc. to longer-term nerve and organ problems, altered immunity, and cancer. Not all secondary metabolites are considered bad for people… the antibiotics such as penicillin have beneficial use. However, from the mycological standpoint, antibiotics are considered mycotoxins since they too are generated by mould to ward off microorganisms (i.e. competing bacteria). Read more about mites When the organism is producing toxins, the toxins are known to be present in the cell wall of spores and hyphae. It can be relatively easy to see spores on wall surfaces, however, testing for these components to see if they have migrated into fabrics can be difficult without the right equipment and experience. Relying on visual sightings to ascertain the existence of mould is simply an inadequate method of testing for mould or VOC's. Further more mould cannot be eradicated by simple domestic cleaning. BMT and fully equipped and have many years of experience in this field. Book a survey today and take the first step to eradicate the problem Contact Support Problem Submit Thanks for submitting!
- COUGHS & SNEEZES | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Coughs, sneezes and alleges can be a health problem for many. In a lot of cases the cause can originate from within their own home. Read more. BMT & Associates. Costa del Sol. Over the last twelve months I have had increasing callouts from clients following a visit to their doctor regarding eye, nose and throat respiratory tract irritation. In all the callout cases, the doctor had advised that the problem could be mould spore, radon gas, or effects from VOCs and a home check should be undertaken by a professional. When attending a survey callout I will always undertake an indoor air quality check with high grade meters, you would be surprised how many homes don't make the the first level good grade. I must make it clear, it is not a case of cleanness, in fact, in the case of VOCs it can increase the problem. Mould Spore. The presents of mould in households is still taken too lightly. There is still the belief that mould can be eradicated with an off-shelf domestic household product. Yes for sure it will clean away visible black mould patches on walls, but what about the airborne spores, fabrics, sofas, beds, rugs etc. Mould is an airborne spore which float into your home from outdoor vegetation and decomposing organic matter. There is only one way to eradicate mould that is professional sterilisation of all rooms. Clean all you want, but it will not solve the problem entirely. Radon gas drawn up due to high temperatures Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colourless and odourless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most harmful radon exposure occurs inside homes. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. In a report undertaken in the USA, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels. BMT is fully equipped to undertake testing for Radon gas. Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. VOCs Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has only recently been taken seriously as a household health risk. They are emitted gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored. EPA's Office of Research and Development's "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed. Sources of VOCs Household products, including: Paints, paint strippers and other solvents Wood preservatives Aerosol sprays Air fresheners Cleansers and disinfectants Moth repellents and fabric fresheners Stored fuels and automotive products hobby supplies Dry-cleaned clothing Pesticide Other products, including: Building materials and furnishings Synthetic flooring Office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper Graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions. Health Effects Health effects may include: Eye, nose and throat irritation Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include: conjunctival irritation nose and throat discomfort headache allergic skin reaction dyspnea declines in serum cholinesterase levels nausea emesis epistaxis fatigue dizziness The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics include: Eye and respiratory tract irritation headaches dizziness visual disorders and memory impairment At present, more information is coming to light about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes.
- Mould2 | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Mould Sometimes it seems everyone is an expert on what is mould and how to get rid of it. The market place in most if not all countries is totally unregulated. Anyone can claim to be an expert, as long as they have a moisture meter and a bottle of spay disinfection, they are in business, ready to go. Yet mould is a serious problem which will make you ill and in serious cases can and does kill. Heading Titles What is mould Mould is a common fungus that grows in damp and moist environments. Normally entering properties as spores which float in through open doors and windows. If the environment is right it will germinate and grow creating branching, thread-like cells called hyphae, which weave together to create the feeding network known as mycelium , Air quality & mould Indoor air quality tests are all important in testing for mould, as you cannot rely on visual sightings. Spores, the dangerous element is invisible to the eye being 1 to 3 micron. Spores can remain airborne within a property indefinitely without detection, Due to their microscopic size, they are easily inhaled, causing a range of symptoms to exposed individuals. Sourcing the problem The problem will be moisture related with the most common being condensation forming on cooler surfaces due to excess humidity. Many will sight lack of ventilation, but this will only apply if there is an imbalance between indoor and outdoor moisture levels. Most likely is wall moisture, leaks, inefficient air extraction from kitchen and bathrooms, external drainage or lateral / capillary damp. Whatever is responsible must be found and corrected. Removing mould Fact. You cannot eradicate mould by cleaning, as the main problem is the airborne spore as it is the seed it will simply reestablish itself. BMT / pureAzone uses 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 dead airborne or surface fragments. Section Title During 2019 records where checked in the U that showed 5,000 cases of asthma and 8,500 lower respiratory infections children and adults in England were associated with exposure to damp and/or mould in residences. However, some data suggests the actual number of cases could be 3 to 8 times higher due to underestimation of exposure prevalence. Hospital Admissions: An NHS doctors report showed that nearly 31,000 babies and toddlers in England are admitted to hospital annually with lung conditions that are caused or made worse by mould related conditions. Slide Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content.
- Infrared Marble Radiators Costa del Sol | BMT & Associates
Home heating with infrared marble radiators. Clean, green and efficiant. Installing throughout Spain and Portugal Innovated Infrared Heating Elegant heating for stylish homes. Marble Infrared Heating Radiators. Natural Marble Heating Infrared Marble Radiators The most elegant, stylish heating system. Clean, green and efficient. From one room to full house central heating The way we heat our homes is changing, find out more, book a survey today. info@123bmt.net Call now (+34) 654 384 171 and request a free survey and quotation Marble & stone Heating systems BMT are the official distributors and installers for marble and stone heating systems. Stylish heating for elegant homes. A heating system that complements your home and lifestyle. Infrared heating is now well established as the home heating of our time. It is clean, green, economical to run and clean to install. It is also a healthy heat as it warms your rooms with infrared far waves, the same to that of sunlight, but without the UV rays making it 100% safe. Unlike convection heating panels or radiators, infrared waves warms objects such as walls floors and ceilings, known as the Thermal Mass. This Thermal Mass therefore becomes a 360 degree storage element, which in turn warms the air within the room equally, eliminating air rise and fall, which would normally create drafts and cold zones. Conventional heating has to rely on heating the air first, to warm the room and as we all know, warm air rises, cools then falls, only to be reheated over and over again, making it very inefficient. A seven year manufactures guarantee comes with each radiator. Free surveys for Andalusia. Other regions throughout Europe, make contact and one of our technicians will be in touch to assess your needs and requirements. Get a Quote Thanks! Message sent. FILL IN THE FORM FOR MORE INFO Make contact to arrange a free survey and quotation for the assessment to your heating requirements and costing. Our prices are the best in the business for this quality.
- Humidity & Damp Problems Costa del Sol | BMT & Associates
Controlling the humidity and eliminating damp in a home is of the upper most importants for the wellbeing of the user and property. We have the products to balance the air humidity correctly. Humidity problems Costa del Sol. BMT & Associates. Qualified Technician. High Humidity Control The problem starts with high humidity. The official average humidity for the coastal and inland regions is 65.8 which means once the temperature reaches 26 degrees we have high humidity alert. During warmer months, we can easily reach 30 plus degrees and humidity can reach 80 plus degrees, you can see that would put us in danger zone, if not emergency. Such an environment is not only bad for our health, but perfect for the propagation of mould spores. Single room heat recovery systems to keep rooms fresh and humidity free while at home or away. Ventilation and heat recovery units to keep humidity down and air circulation balanced. Our installed units are also perfect for people who leave their house closed for long periods to keep your rooms always fresh. Types of Humidity Absolute humidity is the measure of the total mass of water vapour in a given volume of air. Mathematically, absolute humidity can be calculated by dividing the volume of the air and water vapour mixture see calculation. However, the calculation of absolute humidity does not take into consideration the temperature of the system; the former’s value is affected by changes in the air temperature or pressure changes. Specific humidity, on the other hand, is the ratio of the mass of water vapour to the total mass of the moist air parcel. It’s often casually referred to as the ‘moisture content’. That being said, the type of humidity that is most relevant to our homes is relative humidity. Relative humidity As the name signifies, relative humidity is relative in nature. In other words, it’s the amount of water vapour present in the air relative to what the air can hold. Relative humidity is generally expressed in percentages; thus, if a weather report shows the relative humidity to be 78%, it means that for the given temperature, the air is holding 78% of what it can actually hold. infrared heating can be a great help with humidity. Read more Why we should control humidity High humidity within a home environment can effect many things for both the inhabitants and the home itself. The first thing you may notice as the humidity rises is an uncomfortable feeling of excessive heat as the moisture content within the air rises. Stuffy moisture laden air can also be dangerous, disrupting everything from sleep to breathing. On days such days, lung function can be 10 percent less, which can be serious, for some. High humidity is also the perfect environment for virus and mould spores to infest, if not checked they will eventually totally infest the home making it uninhabitable. This is particularly problematic were homes are closed up for months on end. Taking control of the situation is a professional undertaking. We have a full range of specialist air balancing and PAI units at our disposal. Get a Quote Thanks! Message sent.
- Water Pureification Costa del Sol | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Water quality checks Costa del Sol. Domestic water storage tank purification. Latest technolage. Hot water systems treated to avoid Legionella. None toxic, chemicals free. BMT & Associates. Drinking bottled water?? Are you still buying bottled water, researchers say that one million bottles of water were bought every minute around the globe in 2024, raising concerns about the impact of microplastics on the health of humans and the planet. On top of that there are home and office bottled dispenses to take into account. Whilst this is a very profitable industry for the suppliers, its an extremely wasteful operation and in most cases unnecessary when it comes to household usage. Gone are the days of under the sink inline filters. We install the latest sink top sterilisers for your kitchen to full house high grade commercial UV systems, which dispenses pure water from every tap within the house. Drinking, showering or bathing in contaminated water can lead to severe skin problems. Pathogens like E. coli and Legionella can cause infections, rashes, and irritations. Chemicals such as chlorine and pesticides can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate conditions like eczema. Furthermore, if it can effect the skin, imagine to effects to your body when you drink it. Book a survey today . Shower, bath and drinking water treatment for you & your family The water quality supplied here in Spain is good and safe to drink from the tap in most cases. But what happens after it enters your home water system is another thing. Water storage tanks and heating systems create the perfect environment for bacteria. The bacterium that is found in a polluted water system is called Legionella. Cells are divided into two broad categories: prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The prokaryotes cell is the one we are interested in. These have no membrane-bound nucleus or cellular organelles like plastids, mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus, etc. The genetic material commonly referred to as DNA has a circular shape and is often associated with a vacuole of the cytoplasmic membrane. Once established they will multiply rapidly in a favourable climate for growth, more so in the case of solar water heaters which cool during sunless periods. The bacteria multiply in water tanks during summer and in heating systems at temperatures ranging between 32°C and 45°C which is an average temperature for most water heaters. The situation gets worst if the system is not used for a while, which can be the case for many holiday homes on the Costa del Sol during periods of none habitation. Domestic storage water tanks. Many households have their water held in a storage tank. These can be a haven for bacteria buildup, dispensing far from pure water. The situation is even worse, if a property is closed down for a month or more. In such cases the bacteria buildup will pollute the entire piping system, creating a gas which is release into the home on any water usage. We have special none chemical water tank purification machines which purify the tank and piping system. Book a water test today off this link Symptoms Here are a few symptoms of legionellosis: Fever Headaches Fatigue Dry cough or difficulty breathing Muscle pain Loss of appetite Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting Chest pain Spitting up blood Changes in mental state (delusion, confusion, disorientation and hallucinations). Prevention There is no vaccine or preventive treatment to protect people from legionellosis. However, the risk of contracting the disease can be greatly reduced by dealing with the possible sources of infection. We undertake a series of tests and check the settings on your water heater system We flush the entire hot water system and storage tanks with a special none toxic process. Book a survey off this link
- Rising damp problems solved Costa del Sol BMT & Associates
Rising damp and humidity problems solved permanently and guarenteed. Damp proofing spain. Free surveys. Qualified Technician. Rising damp, mould and humidity problems solved correctly. It may seem strange that in this fair weathered countries humidity, mould and even damp can be a major problem, yet it is said that one in three properties suffer from it, So why is this and how do we go about dealing with it. The problem starts with high humidity. The official average humidity for the coastal and inland regions is 65.8 which means once the temperature reaches 26 degrees we have high humidity alert. During warmer months, we can easily reach 30 plus degrees and humidity can reach 80 plus degrees, you can see that would put us in danger zone, if not emergency. Such an environment is bad for our health, but perfect for propagation of mould spores. Rising damp can become a major home and health hazard. A damp saturated wall can loose up to 50% of its load bearing ability. Many modern properties have large under-builds which are riddled with damp and water penetration. We have the necessary expertise to make them dry and usable. Rising Damp?????? We sometimes find ourselves undertaking surveys for work that was undertaken by contractors and has failed to stop the problem. It seems in many cases, contractors first response to a damp problem is injection. Fluid injection in spain has very little chance of being successful, due to the way a property is constructed. Damp proofing fluids have to be pressure injected in the mortar line so it can migrate laterally. Construction in Spain does not have an straight lateral mortar line, it is more random, as the load bearing element is in the structural piers. Just drilling holes in a wall and pumping fluid in, is likely to do more damage than good, especially in stone and rubble buildings as in old properties. Play safe and get a professional, qualified survey with BMT by filling in the form below. Water cannot defy gravity, correct? Well not quite so. Damp is is very often a result of leaking plumbing which maybe a small pipe leakage to a major loss of water and need to be found urgently. Lateral and so called rising damp can also be a problem in properties, particularly basements due to water filtration when moisture from the soil filters through porous building materials like bricks and mortar via capillary action, similar to water climbing a paper towel. We have the necessary expertise in damp repellent correction methods which does not involve hiding or covering the problem (out of sight, out of mind techniques) Sometimes, damp is not a problem related to lateral water penetration, it can be what is known as capillary damp as mentions above. This is where moisture will find its way above the local water table being absorbed be porous structures. It can also be drawn vertically by evaporation. Soluble salts can allow moisture to migrate both horizontally and vertically, or impervious sealing such as rubber or plastic based paints, so called anti damp paints. Sealing damp walls is not a good idea and will lead to long term problems. The route cause of the problem must be found and rectified and if required, a electronic capillary reversal process can be installed which will provide a fully guaranteed permanent rectification of the problem. Salt acid attack Attack of hygroscopic salt acids is often first identified where the paint is flaking on internal or external walls. No matter how many times you scrape off the flaking paint, give it a few months and the problem returns. Eventually the plasterwork become soft and spongy. If left unchecked it will migrate around the complete room about 0.8 of a meter off the floor and gently eat its way into the wall structure. Hygroscopic salts are so often misdiagnosed as a rising damp problem. We have been called out on a number of occasions to undertake reports after work has been done by so called damp professionals, who have undertaken a complete wall injection throughout the property, yet the salts still returned. Misdiagnoses is an expensive mistake for the property owner. Get it right first time, book a survey with BMT, it's free and without obligation. Can inverters change the direction of water to stop rising damp? Electromagnetic pulses can change the polarity of water molecules by causing them to rotate and align with the oscillating electric field. The speed and efficiency of this change depend on the pulse's frequency, density of the moisture and the distance to the aligned field. Torque on polar molecules: Water molecules are polar, meaning they have a positive and a negative end. An electric field creates a force on these ends, causing a torque that makes the molecule rotate to align with the field. Oscillating fields: When the electromagnetic pulse alternates, the positive and negative fields constantly flip, causing the water molecules to continuously rotate and flip back and forth to try and keep up with the changing field. Energy conversion: This rotation is a form of molecular motion. The energy from the electromagnetic wave is converted into this kinetic energy, which manifests as thermal energy (heat). Influence of pulse properties: Frequency and intensity: The effect depends on the frequency and strength of the electromagnetic field. For instance, microwaves are used for cooking because their frequency is ideal for causing this rotation and generating heat in water. Pulse shape: The shape of the pulse also matters. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, such as those used in some research, can cause even faster changes and specific molecular responses, like the disruption of hydrogen bonds. It is important to note that the scientific basis and general effectiveness of these "electro-physical" or "electro-osmotic" systems are a subject of debate within the architectural and building conservation industries. Many professional sources state that there is no real scientific evidence that electro-osmotic force acts at a macroscopic level to push water back down into the ground as claimed by manufacturers of "magic box" type devices. Some manufacturers claim their products are effective and a non-invasive, eco-friendly solution for heritage buildings where traditional methods are unsuitable but hard factorial evidence on the effectiveness is hard to find. In summary, while devices exist and marketed as "inverters" for treating rising damp, their efficacy is disputed by many experts, stating established proven methods of correcting to route cause of the problem is the correct way to proceed. 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- Odours & Stale Air Costa del Sol | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Foul smelling odours are due to an underling sanatation problem. We have the solution to this problem, so book a free survey today. 123bmt.net BMT & Associates. Qualified Technician. Stale Air, odours, humidity and damp problems. Many surveys we undertake are due to a foul smelling odour or stale air. Odours are a symptom of a problem which is normally due to the sanitation pipe works. Bacteria builds up within the pipework creating gasses, these gases percolate up through the system venting out through the bathroom WC, water basins and shower units. The gases displace the water in the traps, creating a vacuum which draws more gases into the room and so it continues. We must remember that a strong odour is basically bacteria or chemical loaded air and if not attended too, will develop into a mould infestation. The gases are bad for your health with symptoms resulting in a dry or sore throat, also affecting eyes and nose. In many cases it is TVOS gas that is the problem. How TVOC affects indoor air quality & effects on wellbeing and health When we think of air quality, people mostly think of the outside world, smog from cars and industry or the fresh air of woods. However, 90% of our daily life is spent indoors: our home, workplace, public buildings and schools. Indoor quality is one of the most important components of well-being, feeling comfortable in a room. Besides, bad air quality has implications on your productivity and may even harm your health. The Volatile organic components (VOC) may be the least known. TVOCS affects the wellbeing, feeling comfortable and health TVOCs affect your sense off wellbeing. Some VOC’s are bad for health. Some VOCs are more harmful than others. Whether a TVOC is harmful, depend on factors as level of exposure and length of time being exposed. Besides, some people -especially children and elderly people- have a higher sensibility then others. Immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to VOCs are eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders and memory impairment. An example: some people get immediately a headache from being in a room which is just painted. Others may find the smell just uncomfortable. TVOCs can cause: Headaches Dizziness Nausea Eye, nose, and throat irritation Coordination loss Fatigue Some VOC’s (as toluene) cause irritation at normal levels, eg allergic skin reactions Bad odour and stale air are uncomfortable and affect people’s feeling of cleanliness Some VOC’s as formaldehyde can cause cancer. VOC’s for a long-term exposure in large doses can damage liver, nervous system and kidneys What is TVOC? What is TVOC? TVOC means Total Volatile Organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds are organic chemicals that become a gas at room temperature. There are thousands of VOCs and a multiple of VOC’s are at the same time present. Therefore, the Total VOC is used at most times: measuring the concentration of the total of VOC’s This is easier and less expensive then measuring individual VOC’s. Some examples of VOC’s are: Bacteria gas's organic gas's Sanitation gas's Benzene Ethylene glycol Formaldehyde Methylene chloride Toluene VOC in Products Many VOC’s come from: Cleaners and disinfectants Pesticides Air fresheners Paints and solvents Glue New furniture and carpets Construction materials Electronic devices Plywood So, some VOC’s may come from everyday life, especially found in sprays and aerosols from cleaners and such. Besides, new construction and renovation may cause significant health concerns. Construction materials, but also the new furniture, carpets and plywood may increase the indoor concentration of VOC’s due to off-gassing. Until the off-gassing has declined, those new products may cause serious threats to your well-being. You can be a polluter yourself, however often far less dangerous then products do. VOC in the outside world Vehicle exhaust and industry pollution may also cause bad indoor air quality when the polluted air can enter the building due to open windows or air condition that doesn’t work properly. Especially when the building stands in congested or industrial areas. Are all VOC’s harmful? “EPA’s Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. Additional TEAM studies indicate that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed. TVOC can be measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of air (or milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb)). The table below shows that less than 0.3 mg/m3 are considered low TVOC concentration levels. And levels between 0.3 mg/m3 to 0.5 mg/m3 are acceptable. If you think you are suffering any of the above, book a full house survey below. Contact Us First Name Last Name Email Write a message Submit Thanks for submitting!
- Radon Gas Specialists Ireland | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Radon gas detection specialist Ireland. Radon gas is a silent killer. Responsible for causing 300 cancers cases yearly. Click to read more. www.123bmt.net Radon Gas Ireland, the silent killer, yet unknown by many. Updated situation on Southern Ireland most areas with a high radon count. The situation regarding radon in Ireland is a significant public health issue, causing around 350 lung cancer cases yearly, as it's the largest radiation source for the Irish population. High-risk "High Radon Areas" exist, especially on granite-rich ground (like parts of Galway, Cork), check the official radon map for high radon count. Testing is straight forward for a qualified specialist and remediation is effective and quick. The Radon map shows a high concentration of indoor radon gas in the red and brown and slightly lower in yellow areas. You will note that all areas are effected by the upper scale. Overview of radon in Ireland. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which may be found in high concentrations in indoor environments, such as homes and workplaces. Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. Radon is estimated to cause between 3% to 14% of all lung cancers in a country, depending on the national average radon level. Lung cancer risk is higher for smokers due to synergistic effects of radon and cigarette smoking. Radon concentration indoors can can be detected by BMT as we use advanced meters. BMT use well-tested, durable and cost-efficient methods for preventing radon entry into new and existing buildings. When Radon is detected we can design and install a system to eradicate the problem. 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. 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. Radon is a radioactive gas that has no smell, colour or taste. Radon is produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium, which is found in all rocks and soils. Radon can also be found in water. Radon escapes from the ground into the air, where it decays and produces further radioactive particles. As we breathe, these particles are deposited on the cells lining the airways, where they can damage DNA and potentially cause lung cancer. Outdoors, radon quickly dilutes to very low concentrations and is generally not a problem. The average outdoor radon level (1) varies from 5 Bq/m3 to 15 Bq/m3. However, radon concentrations are higher indoors and in areas with minimal ventilation. The highest levels are found in places like under builds, basements, crawl spaces and water treatment facilities. In buildings such as homes, schools, offices, radon levels can vary substantially from 10 Bq/m3 to more than 10 000 Bq/m3. Given the properties of radon, occupants of such buildings could unknowingly be living or working in very high radon levels. Radon and cancer As radon forms naturally by radioactive decay inside minerals, part of it escapes into the atmosphere and indoor air, where it becomes a potential hazard to the occupants, exposed mainly through inhalation (Joint Research Centre, 2019). Radon and its decay products are known carcinogens, causing, or contributing to, lung cancer, a risk enhanced by exposure to air pollution and smoking. Although cancer risks from radon are limited to exposure to relatively high and sustained indoor concentrations, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer (Ruano-Ravina et al., 2017). 1.2-1.9% of all cancer cases, and 1 in 10 lung cancer cases in Europe may be due to indoor radon exposure (Darby et al., 2005; Brown et al., 2018; IARC, 2018; Couespel and Price, 2020). According to Global Burden of Disease study data, around 19,000 lung cancer deaths in Europe in 2019 may have been due to naturally occurring indoor residential radon (Murray et al., 2020). The risk of lung cancer increases in non-smokers by about 11-16% for exposure to every additional 100Bq/m3 (a measure of exposure to radiation) increase in long-term average indoor radon concentration (Ruano-Ravina et al., 2017; WHO, 2021b). While the association of radon with other types of cancer has been studied, the evidence is still inconclusive. Although radon comes from natural sources, exposure can be reduced in existing and new buildings, and radon prevention should be considered at the design stage in radon-prone areas. WHO (2021b) lists technical solutions that can significantly reduce radon levels in existing buildings, such as installing a radon sump system, preventing radon passing from the basement into living spaces, sealing floors and walls, and installing special forced ventilation units. The situation has been made worst by the warming of the climate by allowing easier gas filtration through the drying ground. Over the last decade, we have noted much higher radioactive meter reading in most homes we serviced. So common were the properties with high readings, its fair to say every home owner should arrange for a radioactive survey test on property in Ireland so book a survey with BMT today. Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. Book a full house survey, we are equipped with high grade meters for the detection on Radon. When detected, we have a full range of systems that remove Radon and maintain a safe home. Be Safe. Book a Radon Gas test today Make contact by email info@123bmt.net . WhatsApp on 654384171 Or click this link to go to our Contact page
- MONITORING AIR | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Remote monitoring of indoor air quality is essential for all homes. It provides peace of mind that all is well for your familes wellbeing. BMT & Associates. Monitoring Remotely Everyone is aware of the importance of good quality air in our homes and workplace. It can be a highly complicated matter to find answers to your concerns with specialist equipment and lab analysing. BMT can help you find answers to your concerns by monitoring your indoor air quality either physically or remotely. Indoor Air Quality Matters Indoor air quality (IAQ) significantly impacts health, comfort, and productivity. Poor IAQ can lead to various health issues, ranging from minor discomfort to serious respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It can also affect concentration, potentially reducing productivity in workplaces and homes. Why Remotely Testing remotely is one of the best options, as air quality varies by hour, day, week and monthly. In short, to get a perfect result the technician would need to be on station 24hr a day, every day and thats what remote monitoring does. Airborne Dust Indoor dust can cause various health problems. It's a mix of particles that can trigger allergies, respiratory issues, and potentially even more serious conditions. Dust contains allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander, which can worsen existing respiratory conditions. Furthermore, some dust particles can be small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Testing For Poor Air Quality Air quality tests for airborne spore must undertaken by a trained technician who will use specialised meters to gather information. The resulting numbers and samples are analysed using lab techniques. High CO2 High CO2 levels in offices and homes can lead to decreased productivity, drowsiness, headaches, and other health issues, as well as contribute to sick building syndrome. Monitoring CO2 levels can also bring awareness to the presence of airborne mould High TVOC High TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) levels in indoor air can indicate a potential health risk and are often associated with mould of various sources, including building materials, cleaning products, and even human presence. Analysing all these elements to understand if a problem exists requires a qualified technician keeping an eye on the results on a daily basis. Who needs air quality monitoring? Every home All offices Restaurants Gyms Classrooms Hotels In short, anywhere people gather indoors. Get started with a full in-depth survey Book now on our Survey Page
- Ventilation systems for basements Costa del sol | BMT & ASSOCIATES
Basements and under-builds made dry and usable. Pure air ventilation systems for under-builds, offices, homes. Basements in your home made dry and usable Many under builds or basements have poor air, damp or water ingress problem of one form or another. Some of these under-builds were never intended for habitation in the first place but have been adapted for use at a later date. It is imperative that such work is carried out by experiences qualified professionals, as if wrongly diagnosed it will lead to the application of incorrect procedures resulting in increasing the problem and detrimental to structural issues. Some case studied we have come across during surveys. Lateral Damp. This is where heavy moisture is showing on the walls. Contractors had cleaned the wall down, painted it in water barrier paint, then erected dry lining over the entire walling. Such a practice left the walls wet, leading to deterioration (Wet walls loose their load bearing capacity) and massive mould infestation in the cavity they had created. Humidity. This is most common and misunderstood. Humidity is present everywhere and calculated as relative humidity. The higher temperature, the more moisture can be held by the air. When high humidity is in an environment similar to a basement, the moisture condensates on the cooler walls and they become wet. To solve this problem a very clear understanding of humidity is required, so the correct equipment is specified and installed. Air conditioning used for ventilation. Very often we find air conditioning units installed to handle ventilation problems. This is an incorrect approach which can lead to humidity and infestation problems due the air recycling. One major problem with basements and under-builds is the lack of air transfer. This can lead to high moisture buildup resulting in poor quality air. In such situations we can install air transfer systems which monitor and balance the indoor air quality continually to ensure a fresh clean environment in which to live. We also install specialised forced air systems for problem areas where water penetration is difficult to stop. These units increase the barometric pressure to force the moisture levels down and then extract through an Exhaust system. Property owners make contact to arrange a survey. Contractors, Architects. If you wish for us to specify for you we can do so with full installation by our own team.

