How to Document Damp and Mould for Remediation

Proper documentation is essential for effective damp and mould remediation. Good records support accurate diagnosis, appropriate remediation, regulatory compliance, and defence against claims. This guide outlines best practices for housing professionals.

Initial Report Documentation

When a damp or mould issue is reported, capture:

Date and time of report
How reported: Phone, email, portal, inspection finding
Reporter: Tenant, contractor, housing officer
Description in reporter's words
Location within property: Room, wall, position
Duration: When first noticed, any previous occurrences

Visual Documentation

Photographs are critical evidence. Best practices:

Take wide shots showing context (whole room, whole wall)
Take close-ups showing detail (mould patterns, staining)
Include a scale reference (ruler, coin) in close-ups
Photograph related features (windows, vents, external walls)
Ensure metadata (date, time, location) is preserved
Take photos before, during, and after any remediation

Environmental Measurements

Objective measurements support diagnosis:

Relative humidity: Ambient and at affected surfaces
Temperature: Air and surface temperatures
Moisture content: Using a moisture meter on affected materials
CO2 levels: Indicating ventilation adequacy

Continuous monitoring data provides context that spot measurements cannot.

Investigation Records

Document all investigation activities:

Date and duration of inspection
Who conducted the inspection
Areas examined and methods used
Findings and observations
Preliminary diagnosis and reasoning
Recommendations for further investigation or action

Creating an Evidence Timeline

For compliance with Awaab's Law and defence against claims, a clear timeline is essential:

Date issue reported or discovered
Date acknowledged to tenant
Date of investigation
Date investigation findings communicated
Date remediation commenced
Date remediation completed
Date of follow-up inspection

How DMS Helps

DMS automatically creates time-stamped evidence trails of environmental conditions. Generate compliance reports with complete timelines at the click of a button.

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