Interior Design Unit 3 Task 6: Planning and Problematic Factors

This essay, designed for an interior design unit, delves into three critical problematic factors that must be addressed before commencing any redesign work: damp, dry and wet rot, and cracks. It thoroughly explains the different types of damp (rising, penetrating, and condensation), their causes, and effective treatment methods. The essay then explores dry and wet rot, detailing their characteristics, the importance of professional identification, and appropriate remediation steps, including timber removal and chemical treatments. Finally, it examines various types of cracks (expansion cracks, wall tie failure, and subsidence), their underlying causes, and the necessary corrective actions. The essay emphasizes the importance of a thorough assessment to prevent structural damage, health hazards, and ensure a smooth redesign process.

Interior Design Unit 3 Task 6
Planning an Interior Design Project
Describe three problematic factors, that if present in the room, would have to be rectified
before redesign work could commence.
When renovating or designing a room from scratch, it is of utmost importance to first assess
the condition of the room and then plan to act accordingly. There are various problematic
factors that could delay the start of a project and it goes without saying that these issues are
best to be addressed immediately to prevent any further damage. This essay tackles the
following three problematic factors: damp, dry and wet rot, and cracks.
A common problem encountered when redesigning rooms is damp. Dampness in homes
leads to the growth of moulds and other fungi which release tiny lightweight spores. If
inhaled, these can cause respiratory problems, nasal and sinus congestion, skin rashes and
irritation. Drawbacks of damp include being unattractive and making the environment
colder. Symptoms of damp are stuffy smells in rooms, mouldy clothes or shoes in closets,
stains on walls and mould behind painting and mirrors, and on walls.
There are different types of damp: rising, penetrating and condensation – which can all be
treated with a dehumidifier or ventilation system. Nevertheless, this will not eliminate
dampness and it will probably reappear eventually. Thus, it is best to pinpoint the source of
the problem and tackle it from there.
Rising damp can occur as a result of ground water permeating brick, stone or mortar, and
then travelling up the walls. Soluble salts in the ground water are deposited on wall surfaces
which attract more moisture and make the walls feel permanently damp. Rising damp
usually affects the lower part of the wall but, if left untreated, can seep higher into the
walls. A damp-proof course (DPC) prevents rising damp. This is a horizontal layer of
waterproof material that is placed in the walls lying just above ground level.
Damp can also take the form of penetrating damp. This results from certain defects outside
the home which then take the form of ‘damp patches’ or mould growth. Some examples of
these flaws are missing roof tiles, gaps around glazing of window and door frames, missing
pointing to the brickwork and leaks in gutters, downpipes, flashings, rendering and window
frames. These defects allow water to pass from the outside to the inner surfaces and cause
damp. Repairing these faults will solve the problem of penetrating damp.
Another common cause of dampness is condensation, which arises when water vapour or
moisture comes in contact with a colder surface, such as windows or walls. Consequently,
wallpaper, paintwork or plasterwork get drenched by the drops of water that form and
black mould grows on the affected damp surface areas if left untreated. Dealing with
condensation can be achieved simply by figuring out which factors contribute towards
creating the dampness. Contributing factors may vary from water vapour produced by the
actions of inhabitants, the temperature of the property, and the lack of circulation of air.

Interior Design Unit 3 Task 6
Planning an Interior Design Project
Luckily, there are a number of simple actions which help reduce condensation levels, such as
using a dehumidifier, improving room temperatures, installing air extractors in
condensation-prone areas and adding insulation materials to the exteriors.
Dry and wet rot problems would also have to be rectified before redesign work could
commence. Both dry and wet rot are a form of fungal decay in timber. While wet rot only
affects timber which is wet, dry rot is more dangerous because it can start off in timber with
lower moisture content, and once developed, may spread and infect relatively dry timber.
Owing to its ability to spread extensively, dry rot has been known to extend through
masonry and other parts within buildings. It is important that dry and wet rot are
distinguished by a professional as they are treated differently.
Symptoms of dry rot include matted whitish growth with yellow or lilac patches, pancake-
shaped growth with a russet colour, mushroom-like smell and splitting, and shrinking or
crumbly wood. The symptoms of wet rot are a soft and spongy feel to wood, wood looking
darker than surrounding healthy wood and brown/black strands of fungus manifestations in
a fern-like pattern.
In order to eliminate dry and wet rot, the source of dampness must be located and
eliminated in order to prevent wetting of the affected area. In the case of wet rot, infected
timber should be removed as rot could have structurally damaged the timber. Ventilation
methods can also be applied if wet rot is found in confined spaces such as cupboards and
lofts. However, treating dry rot may be far more intrusive and the extent of the damage
must first be established. Similar to wet rot, the affected timber must also be removed and
replaced. Some of the surrounding timber may also need to be removed to ensure no
further contamination occurs. The remaining areas can be treated with a chemical biocide.
In certain cases, it may also be necessary to treat any plaster and wall surfaces which could
have made contact with dry rot with a steriliser or biocide.
Wall and ceiling cracks are other problematic factors that have to be addressed before
redecoration works begin. Cracks are the symptom of an underlying structural problem and
develop inherent weaknesses in the buildings’ design. Cracks may only be a surface blemish,
but may also need serious attention and involve costly maintenance.
The most common causes of cracks are expansion cracks – cracks above openings, wall tie
failure and subsidence. Expansion cracks are caused by a repeated process of shrinkage and
expansion of materials due to moisture and temperature change. The result of this is
vertical or stepped cracks of consistent width which are often seen above window and door
openings. Expansion cracks are not a serious threat, however if left unrepaired can allow
water into the cavity in brick-built houses. Such cracks can be fixed with a mastic or selastic
compound.

Interior Design Unit 3 Task 6
Planning an Interior Design Project
Cracks above openings are triggered by removal of windows or doors with inadequate
propping or bearings, loads applied directly over the opening, and missing lintels. All of
these problematic factors are usually rectified by replacing or installing the lintel.
Some cracks in walls may also be a result of wall tie failures. The use of wall ties in solid and
cavity walls is to tie together internal and external walls made of bricks or cementatious
blocks. Wall ties can rust and then expand, causing horizontal cracking in the mortar joints.
Such cracks are an indication that the existing wall ties need to be replaced and failure to do
so may result in the wall collapsing.
Subsidence, which is caused by movement on the Earth’s surface, can also generate cracks.
These types of cracks are considered to be the most serious and difficult to repair. Such
cracks are normally found around corners of rooms. They are widest at the top and stretch
from top to bottom of walls. Subsidence can damage the foundation of the house and can
arise due to mining activity, leaking underground drainage or tree root activity. In case of
subsidence, specialist advice from a structural engineer should be sought for and will
possibly involve some form of underpinning.
As a general rule of thumb, it is always best to make a thorough assessment of the
environment where redesigning will take place. This will not only ensure that the process
runs smoothly, but also prevents problems such as structural damage, unappealing sights
and health hazards from resurfacing in the future.

Interior Design Unit 3 Task 6
Planning an Interior Design Project
Bibliography
How to deal with dry rot and wet rot, [Online] Available:
http://uktv.co.uk/home/item/aid/649530 [10 MAY 2014]
How to Determine if the Cracks in Walls are Serious, [Online] Available:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/determine-cracks-walls-serious-37395.html [15 MAY 2014]
How to treat rising damp, [Online] Available: http://uktv.co.uk/home/item/aid/649418 [05
MAY 2014]
Tackling Dampness, [Online] Available:
http://www.energywise.govt.nz/your-home/dampness [05 MAY 2014]
Wet and Dry Rot, [Online] Available: http://www.buildingdoctor.com/wet_dry_rot/ [10 MAY
2014]
Why Are My Walls Cracking?, [Online] Available: http://www.redbeacon.com/hg/why-are-
my-walls-cracking/ [15 MAY 2014]