Over 200,000 homes are estimated to have been affected by contaminated plasterboard said to be supplied by Knauf one of Europe’s largest manufacturers. The plasterboard contains contamination which leads to major corrosion of copper pipes, HVAC systems and electrical contacts.

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As the part L regulations place increasing emphasis on heat and air leakage the development of indoor air quality problems and specifically “Toxic mould” increases. Warm buildings without adequate ventilation result in condensation forming on surfaces adjacent to the insulation. Several questions need to be answered to provide a logical explanation.

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Changes in regulations, standards, living style, and construction techniques coupled to novel materials are now seen to be having significant effect on building degradation and occupant’s health! Building materials and techniques have significantly changed over the past thirty years and a move towards chalk and paper construction (plasterboard or Gyprock) means moisture is now generally adsorbed instead of being removed. The application of non permeable wall coverings and paints seals the problems in and the ubiquitous mould develops in ideal conditions within wall and interstitial cavities.

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Water leaks can be one of the most difficult building problems to rectify, often because their source or cause can be difficult to identify. Water known as a universal solvent is capable of dissolving steel, amplifying biological activity such as mould and bacteria and of course the decay caused by fungi such as wet rot. While liquid water is readily identified, its movement, different forms and ramifications can often be difficult to recognize without specialist equipment.

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The HVCA industry may be facing its biggest opportunity or responsibility and liability as the building industry follows a trend in tighter building construction with paper and chalk products (plasterboard) held together with tape and silicon sealer. The designed low air leakage (part L) means that moisture generated by occupation or dew point and condensation has nowhere to go and will condense or be adsorbed into hydrophilic materials such as plasterboard.

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