PIV Installation in Camborne Mid-Terrace
The job
A landlord with a mid-terrace rental in Camborne had persistent condensation damp complaints from tenants - black mould on walls and ceilings despite the property being heated adequately. Granite houses pulling moisture from the ground and buildings made lacking modern techniques and materials are all over South West Cornwall, so damp and condensation is a common issue that many adapt their lifestyle to, whether it's bleaching the walls, keeping the windows open or constantly emptying the dehumidifier. Cavity wall insulation had already been injected, but the condensation problem had got worse, not better. The landlord needed a long-term fix before the next tenancy.
What I did
I installed the PIV unit in the loft space. The unit draws in and gently conditions outside air, creating a slight positive pressure in the property that pushes damp air out through natural gaps - the most effective solution for condensation damp in solid-wall or poorly-ventilated properties. I wired it from an existing fire alarm, with an additional relay. So upon activation of the alarm it will shut down the PIV making sure that in the event of a fire, it is not made worse by oxygen being pumped into the building. With clear results during the winter months these are highly recommended for any building with damp, condensation or black mould. Fresh clean air throughout the building, significant reduction in condensation, energy efficient by being cheap to run continuously, also reducing heating costs by minimising the need for the heating system to work harder due to excess moisture, and low maintenance with the filter needing to be changed every 1-3 years.
On the day
Loft access hatch was small and the roof pitch was steep - standard for the age and construction. Unit positioned at the apex with a short duct run to the landing outlet. No structural work required.
Prices starting from
£450 (unit + installation) approx
