1. TS_Schimmel_MASTER 24.10.2012 10:04 Seite 1
We measure it.
TESTOsolutions
Identifying damp walls and
avoiding mould
When old buildings are restored, this is done with the best modern windows seal so well that the necessary air exchange
intentions. The restoration is carried out in order to correct is hindered. The consequence: The air humidity increases,
defective heat insulation and to avoid the increased energy forming the basis for the feared mould growth on walls and
costs caused by this. This usually involves installing new ceilings.
windows. While this solves the problem of the heat insulation,

2. TS_Schimmel_MASTER 24.10.2012 10:04 Seite 2
Identifying damp walls and avoiding mould
How does mould develop? Isolating the causes
Mould spores, the Once mould is in the building, the tenant initially supposes that
seeds of the mould the damp is coming from the outside. Many legal battles have
fungus, are every- ensued from the question of who is responsible for mould damage.
where. In order to It is very difficult to determine who or what has caused mould:
grow, they need – in the inhabitants or defective building construction? This is where
addition to nutrients modern measurement technology comes in. Contractors, experts
such as dust, plaster, and assessors usually have such measuring instruments in use,
wallpaper or wood – and can carry out in-depth research into causes within a very short
above all water. If, for time.
instance, water has
penetrated into the living quarters due to a burst pipe, or if the Measuring instruments Measuring instruments
indoor air has been too damp over several days, mould spores for research into tenant- for research into
related causes construction-related
find ideal living conditions. The more humid the air, the better the causes
mould can grow. The causes can be constructional defects, incor-
Air thermometers Surface (contact)
rectly implemented restoration or insufficient heating and venti- e.g. testo 610 thermometers
lation, for example. In addition to the damage to health caused e.g. testo 905
by mould, the building substance is also permanently damaged. Humidity measuring Infrared thermometers
Because of this, mould needs to be identified and eliminated in instruments e.g. testo 830
time. e.g. testo 625
Multi-function measuring Material moisture measring
instruments instruments, e.g. for stone
e.g. testo 635 and wood
e.g. testo 616
Data loggers Thermal imagers
e.g. testo 175 H1 e.g. testo 875
The relevant measurement
parameters
In order to detect moisture damage, the following measurement
parameters must be recorded:
Parameter Indicates...
Air temperature …heating, ventilation and comfort in
rooms.
Air humidity …mould damage, and important indi-
cator in technical building drying. Air
humidity indicates how much water
vapour is present in the air.
Material …the surface temperature of the
temperature material, and thus cold bridges, i.e. at
which points heat is being drawn away
from the material, allowing it to cool.
Material moisture …the water content in mineral building
materials. Measurements both at the
surface (non-intrusive), as well as
measurements in the material using an
equilibrium humidity measurement
(intrusive), are possible.

3. TS_Schimmel_MASTER 24.10.2012 10:04 Seite 3
We measure it.
Detection of mould damage Detection of construction-related
caused by tenants mould damage
The following measuring instruments are suitable: The following measuring instruments are suitable:
testo 610 for contractors in heating and sanitation testo 905-T2 for contractors in heating and sanitation
Measurement of humidity and temperature in living Contact measurement for the determination of surface
quarters, bathrooms and new buildings temperature on radiators or heating systems
testo 610 is very small and handy, testo 905-T2 adapts itself per-
and can be carried with you con- fectly even to rough surfaces,
veniently at any time. testo 610 is achieving a high level of meas-
simply held up in the room, and urement accuracy. This allows
reliably, very accurately and at the the temperature on the surface of
touch of a button records the air a wall, radiator, on valves or con-
humidity, temperature and dew- nections in a heatings system, to
point. be measured quickly.
testo 625 for HVAC technology in buildings, quality as- testo 830 for contractors in heating, sanitation and air
surance and production conditioning
Monitoring ambient indoor conditions Non-contact determination of surface temperature
testo 625 measures air humidity, testo 830 measures the surface
temperature and dewpoint. In in- temperatures of walls, ceilings
accessible points such as corners and floors using infrared tech-
at ceiling height, the measurement nology. This allows points which
values can be transferred wire- are too cold, at which humidity
lessly over great distances by could precipitate, to be deter-
the wireless module to the meas- mined and if necessary counter-
uring instrument. measures taken.
testo 635 for HVAC technology in buildings testo 616 for contractors in heating and sanitation
Testing of building substance and climatic conditions in Monitoring material moisture in building materials, e.g.
and on buildings after water damage
testo 635 measures air humidity, testo 616 measures material
temperature, material moisture moisture non-intrusively using a
and U-value. The user can store contact probe in wood, screed,
the measurement results in the in- cement and concrete at a depth
strument, and later analyze and of up to 5 cm. The instrument sim-
document them using the PC plifies the work of anyone who
software. This makes uninter- must observe the drying process-
rupted documentary proof possi- es of floors, walls and surfaces as
ble. well as moisture damage.
testo 175 H1 for use in industrial areas testo 875 for the building trade and for energy consultation
Long-term monitoring of air quality and indoor climate Identification of construction deficits on buildings
testo 175 H1 continuously records The thermal imager testo 875
temperature and humidity values shows deficits in materials and
and shows the dewpoint in the components, such as cold
display. This allows the indoor cli- bridges, insufficient air-tight-
mate to be monitored over a long ness, cracks in the brickwork
period, underlining the necessity or leaks, directly in the ther-
for a systematic exchange of air. mal image in the imager dis-
play. In the humidity mode,
mould-risk areas are even
shown up in red.

4. TS_Schimmel_MASTER 24.10.2012 10:05 Seite 4
Identifying damp walls and avoiding mould We measure it.
When the cause is incorrect heating or ventilation
Mould growth is in fact rarely caused by constructional deficits. bedrooms or bathrooms cool does not save heating costs. It actu-
The cause is more often the living habits of the tenants, for ally increases them more than if the complete apartment were to
example incorrect or insufficient heating and ventilation of the be continually heated. The higher the temperature difference
living quarters. Because the humidity comes from the living quar- between the rooms, the greater the danger that condensation can
ters themselves, caused by the people, who automatically give precipitate on critical areas. In addition to this, damp wall conduct
off humidity to their surroundings. heat energy more quickly to the outside. The result is mould fungus
In colder places such as and mildew.
windows, this humidity leads to
condensation, also referred to as
“sweating”. For this reason, it Humidity caused in living quarters daily:
must be extracted.
Cause Humidity in litres
Humans sweating/breathing approx. 1.0
In a four-person household, between 8 and 15 litres of water daily
are given off into the ambient air in the form of vapour. The warmer Cooking 0.5 – 1.0
the room, the more water can be absorbed by the air. If this water Showering/bathing per person 0.5 – 1.0
msp/Q/10.2012
vapour now meets colder air, a part condenses back to water, Drying laundry – spin-dried 1.0 – 1.5
which then precipitates, especially in colder areas such as corners
Drying laundry – dripping wet 2.0 – 3.5
of rooms, behind furniture and on outer walls. Heating the living
room in the winter, and leaving lesser used rooms such as Houseplants 0.5 – 1.0
Lüftungsdauer, um die
Wirkung der natürlichen verbrauchte Raumluft
Lüftung durch Öffnen des Fenster bzw. gegen frische Außenluft
Fensters bzw. der Tür
Lüftungsdauer, um die Türstellung auszutauschen
Wirkung der natürlichen verbrauchte Raumluft
Correct heating and ventilation
Lüftung durch Öffnen des
Fensters bzw. der Tür
Fenster bzw.
Türstellung
gegen frische Außenluft
auszutauschen
Wirkung der natürlichen
Lüftungsdauer, um die
verbrauchte Raumluft
Lüftung durch Öffnen des Fenster bzw. gegen frische Außenluft
Observing a few simple heating and ventilation rules in the end
Subject to change without notice.
Fensters bzw. der Tür
Lüftungsdauer, um die Türstellung auszutauschen
Wirkung der natürlichen verbrauchte Raumluft Correct ventilation: Correct heating:
not only prevents the development Außenluft
Lüftung durch Öffnen desFenster bzw. gegen frische of mould in your apartment, it
Fensters bzw. der Tür Türstellung auszutauschen · Ventilate intensively several · Ensure as uniform a tempera-
saves heating costs, protects the environment and ensures your times a day with windows and ture as possible in all rooms.
own personal well-being. Lüftungsdauer, um die
doors open wide.
Wirkung der natürlichen verbrauchte Raumluft · Radiators must be freely ac-
Lüftung durch Öffnen des Fenster bzw. gegen frische Außenluft
Fensters bzw. der Tür Türstellung auszutauschen · No long-term ventilation with cessible in order for the heat
Window and Window open windows only ajar, as this to be able to spread unhin-
opposite door (or wide 4 to 10 cools the brickwork too dered.
2nd window), minutes much. · Close blinds and curtains at
open wide 2 to 4 · Turn down radiators and/or night in order to avoid heat
minutes thermostats. loss.
· Ventilate intensively immedi- · Do not overheat the apart-
Window half Window ajar ately after cooking or shower- ment. One degree Celcius of
open 8 to 15 mi- 30 to 75 minutes ing. room temperature causes ap-
nutes · Do not place furniture directly proximately 6% higher energy
against outer walls, but pull costs.
them a few centimetres away. · Never switch heating off com-
· The warmer the outside tem- pletely, even during longer
Window ajar, blinds closed perature, the longer the need absences. The rooms would
but ventilation slits open for ventilation. Ventilate for a otherwise cool down too
45 to 120 minutes quarter of an hour on warmer much.
days (over 12 °C), three min-
utes suffice on days with con-
tinuous temperatures below
freezing.
More information:
Testo Limited
For detailed information and answers to your Newman, Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2UR
questions on our measuring instruments, contact our Telephone 01420 544433
us on 01420 544433 or visit www.testolimited.com. e-mail info@testolimited.com
www.testolimited.com