Mould growth
Assessment of humidity, air movement, surface temperatures and conditions that support fungal growth.
Specialised service
Damp diagnostics
A wet wall, mould or condensation does not automatically mean “waterproofing problem”. The cause may be thermal bridging, ventilation, rain penetration, plumbing leakage, rising damp or several factors at once.
Photo screeningOn-site diagnostics
The objective is a reasoned diagnosis and a clear next step — not a catalogue of products.
What we look for
- Condensation and inadequate ventilation
- Cold bridges and insufficient insulation
- Rain or façade penetration
- Rising or lateral moisture
- Hidden plumbing leakage
- Previous repairs that treated the symptom only
Diagnosis before repair
Damp is a symptom. The task is to find the mechanism behind it.
Our service is focused on diagnosis and independent technical advice. We do not begin with a waterproofing product, insulation system, dehumidifier or contractor. We begin with the building, the symptoms and the conditions in which they appear.
The same visible mould or wet patch can be caused by very different mechanisms: condensation, inadequate ventilation, thermal bridges, façade leakage, plumbing leakage, rising damp, lateral moisture or several factors acting together.
The purpose of the assessment is to identify the most probable causes, define what should be checked next and provide a technically reasoned route toward remediation.
Scope of analysis
Typical situations we assess.
Condensation
Assessment of thermal bridges, insulation, indoor humidity and surface cooling that can lead to dew formation.
Basements and lower walls
Assessment of possible groundwater penetration, rising damp or lateral moisture movement through masonry.
What may be behind the problem
Four common groups of causes.
[01]
Insufficient ventilation that creates conditions for persistent high indoor humidity and mould growth.
[02]
Air saturated with water vapour combined with the thermal and vapour characteristics of the building envelope.
[03]
Critical points in the construction where heat loss creates locally cold surfaces and moisture formation.
[04]
Moisture penetration through external elements, joints, façades, roofs, foundations or damaged waterproofing.
Our method
From evidence to a technical recommendation.
Describe the problem
Send detailed photographs and basic information about the object, where the symptoms appear, when they become worse and what has already been tried.
Expert assessment
We analyse the supplied material, separate likely causes from secondary symptoms and define which factors should be verified.
Report and next step
You receive a concise technical conclusion with recommendations for further checks, remediation measures or an on-site visit when remote assessment is not sufficient.
Our contribution
Independent recommendations — not construction work.
We provide technical recommendations for the next steps, from ventilation and insulation measures to waterproofing or further investigation.
We are not the contractor performing the repair. This separation is deliberate: the diagnosis should not depend on which product or construction service someone wants to sell.
Where useful, we can help formulate a clear technical task for contractors and compare proposed solutions.
Example of a solution
When ventilation is the cause.
If condensation or elevated humidity is caused by inadequate air exchange, one possible solution is decentralised ventilation with heat recovery.
This can be useful where installing conventional ventilation ducts throughout an existing apartment would require major reconstruction. The final recommendation depends on the diagnosis; ventilation is one possible measure, not a universal answer to damp.
Initial remote assessment
Start with the information you already have.
For the first assessment, send the location and type of property, a short description of the problem, when it appears, photographs of affected areas and, if known, information about heating, ventilation, recent repairs or leaks.
Remote assessment can often narrow the list of likely causes. If measurements or inspection of the building envelope are required, we will say so rather than pretend that photographs are enough.
Send materials by email
consulting@koretskiy.com
Knowledge base
This section will grow as new diagnostic topics and recurring problems are documented.
Practical notes on damp, condensation and mould.
Ventilation and condensation
Why air exchange can be decisive when indoor humidity repeatedly reaches cold surfaces.
How to recognise the causes of damp
Visual clues, location, seasonality and building details can point to very different moisture mechanisms.
Mould: treating the cause, not only the surface
Cleaning and biocides may remove visible mould, but lasting remediation requires control of the moisture source.
Contact
Before buying a solution, define the problem.
Send a short description of the situation, what has already been tried, and photos if relevant.
consulting@koretskiy.com