UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings

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June 2020 Newsletter

Dear UKCMB member,

It's been three months since we had to readjust our lives due to the emergence of the pandemic. Certainly, unprecedented and challenging times, and we hope you and your families are keeping safe and that we will soon find a new normality.

In the meantime, we would like to keep you informed about projects our members have been working on and some exciting news from us. We are planning to distribute the newsletter once every two months or maybe more often if we have received more news from you. So, please get in touch.

We also welcome any ideas on the format of the newsletter and our website, so please take a look and send us your suggestions (email: ukcmb@ucl.ac.uk)

In this newsletter we cover:

• 1st International Conference on Moisture in Buildings (ICMB21) to be held at UCL in 28 - 29 June 2021
• Survey results - Moisture in UK Buildings, Conditions, Actions and Outcomes
• Moisture in new homes: a guide for occupants
• Methodology for investigating moisture and its effects in traditional buildings
• Hygrothermal performance of replacement infill panels for historic half-timbered build

As always, we want to thank you for your continuing interest and support.

All the best,

Hector Altamirano
Academic director of UKCMB

1st International Conference on Moisture in Buildings (ICMB21)

We are very pleased to announce the 1st International Conference on Moisture in Buildings (ICMB21) to be held at UCL on 28 - 29 June 2021. This event will mark the first of a biannual series, organised by the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB). The aim of the conference is to bring together academics and researchers working on any aspect of moisture induced damage on the built environment.

Survey results - Moisture in UK Buildings, Conditions, Actions and Outcomes

Two years ago, we asked you to complete a survey where we hoped to gather your opinions and experience relating to current problems associated with moisture in buildings in the UK. We are now glad to inform you that the report is available on our website.

We hope the report will open up new conversations with our members, within our Technical Working Groups and new topics for study by the UKCMB.

Methodology for investigating moisture and its effects in traditional buildings
A draft methodology for investigating moisture and its effects in traditional buildings has been prepared by the RICS, Historic England and the Property Care Association. The document, which was launched last November, is also supported by Historic Environment Scotland, CADW and the SPAB.

The methodology sets out the issues that should be considered when assessing moisture in buildings, diagnosing defects, and making recommendations for remedial measures.

You can read the working document here.

Moisture in new homes: a guide for occupants
This new guide from the UKCMB, supported by NHBC Foundation, explains where moisture comes from and identifies actions you can take to maintain the right moisture balance in your home. This guide explains why moisture balance is important, how to identify your own moisture generation and what to do to minimise excess moisture in the first few months in your new home. The guide is available on our website and on the NHBC website.

Hygrothermal performance of replacement infill panels for historic half-timbered build
The construction of a test cell to monitor the hygrothermal performance of replacement infill panels for historic half-timbered buildings is now complete and initial monitoring is underway. The research project, led by Dr Chris Whitman from the Welsh School of Architecture, aims to reduce carbon emissions in historic buildings whilst ensuring that any retrofit actions have a limited negative impact on the building's fabric and cultural significance.

The project is being funded by Historic England and has been made possible by Ty Mawr Lime Ltd, Royston Davies Conservation Builders and Hempcrete UK.

Core Knowledge Partners:
The following organisations are Core Knowledge Partners in the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings:

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