Interior DesignUnit 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 DesignUnit 3 Task 6 Planning an Interior Design Project Luckily, there are a number of simple actions which help reduce condensation levels, such as usingadehumidifier,improvingroomtemperatures,installingairextractorsin 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.
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