The Causes of Surface Condensation and Mould, and the Responsibility of Relevant Parties to Alleviate Them

All over Ireland large numbers of people live in unsanitary conditions suffering poor indoor air quality, surface condensation and mould. Where the occupants are tenants the cause of the conditions and identification of the parties responsible can cause much stress. Condensation and mould growth on the internal surface of a room are caused by a combination of factors due to specific conditions. In severe cases, one of these factors may lead to surface condensation and/or mould growth, but in general, surface condensation and/or mould growth occurs when two or three of these occur together. Even though multiple causes and shared responsibility may disappoint or confuse, the building physics of surface condensation is actually well understood and unambiguous. Through identification of the factors at work and responsible parties, it may become easier for parties to accept their role, for solutions to be agreed and re-instatement of sanitary conditions to everyone's benefit.