HMO Mould Remediation Hove

The mould was a symptom, not the whole problem

Prject insight

This HMO shows the value of understanding the indoor environment before deciding how to treat mould. Comparative air sampling established how conditions inside differed from outside, while moisture readings and the ventilation review identified factors that a surface clean alone could not resolve. That evidence allowed the remediation and drying to be directed towards the areas of greatest concern, while clearly separating the specialist mould treatment from the building improvements needed to address the underlying moisture conditions.

Using outside air as a benchmark

Why localised tenting changed the drying strategy

Step 1Establish the extent of contaminationInspect and document affected rooms and circulation areas.

Step 2Remove loose soot particulatesUse HEPA-filtered equipment where appropriate before detailed cleaning.

Step 3Carry out detailed soot cleaningWork systematically through affected surfaces using suitable professional methods and products.

Step 4Retain cleanable items where appropriateClean salvageable furniture, fixtures and contents rather than automatically dispose of them.

Step 5Treat smoke odourAddress physical soot and fire residues before progressing to professional smoke odour treatment.

An Additional Affected Area Was Found Before Handover

During the work, technicians identified soot deposits on higher-level surfaces in an office that had initially been considered outside the main affected area.

Rather than simply completing the original scope, the Lead Technician stopped that area from being signed off. The inspection was extended into the adjoining office and circulation area, further affected surfaces were identified, and the cleaning scope was adjusted.

The additional contamination was treated before final handover.

Black mould growth was visible in three ground-floor ensuite bedrooms, but the investigation went beyond the affected surfaces. Comparative air sampling was carried out in the bedrooms, hallway and outdoors, while moisture readings were used to assess conditions within the walls and building fabric.

The findings pointed to several contributing factors rather than one isolated cause. These included elevated indoor mould-spore levels, retained moisture, non-operational extractor fans, sealed windows without trickle ventilation and restricted airflow. Potential moisture ingress associated with the external wall was also identified for further attention.

Sampling both indoors and outdoors provided a useful comparison for the results inside the HMO. Higher mould-spore levels were identified indoors, particularly in bedrooms one and three.

Together with the moisture readings and ventilation findings, this helped establish where remediation and drying should be concentrated. It also showed why removing visible mould alone would not address the wider conditions within the affected rooms.

From surface remediation to concentrated drying

The response brought several measures together rather than treating the mould as a single surface-cleaning problem.

Visible mould
Affected surfaces were manually cleaned using specialist mould-remediation products, providing direct treatment of the visible contamination.

Airborne contamination
ULV fogging formed part of the wider remediation programme within the affected rooms, complementing the physical cleaning rather than replacing it.

Trapped moisture
Dehumidifiers were deployed in bedrooms one and three, with localised tenting used around affected walls to reduce the air volume being processed and concentrate the drying effort.

Contributing conditions
Non-functioning ensuite extractors, the absence of trickle ventilation and potential external moisture ingress were identified as issues requiring attention alongside the remediation work.

Where moisture is concentrated within a particular wall or section of building fabric, drying the entire room can dilute the effect of the equipment. Creating a smaller temporary drying zone reduces the volume of air being processed and concentrates the drying effort around the area of concern.

In this HMO, that approach allowed the drying programme to focus on the moisture conditions identified in bedrooms one and three rather than treating every room in exactly the same way.

Two weeks focused on the conditions behind the mould

The remediation and targeted drying programme ran for approximately two weeks. Follow-up air sampling showed reduced indoor mould-spore levels after the works.

More importantly, the project connected the visible mould with the conditions contributing to it. The affected surfaces could be treated, but the investigation also highlighted ventilation and building-maintenance issues that needed attention to help manage moisture over the longer term.

Treating mould without ignoring the building

Elena Filoti

Mould Remediation Specialist

“Removing visible mould is only one part of the job when moisture and ventilation are still working against the property. The useful information comes from combining what we can see with moisture readings, air sampling and how the rooms are actually ventilated. That tells us where remediation is needed and what conditions also need to change if the improvement is going to last.”

Mould remediation and targeted drying in a Hove HMO

The mould was a symptom, not the whole problem

Prject insight

Using outside air as a benchmark

Why localised tenting changed the drying strategy

An Additional Affected Area Was Found Before Handover

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Mould remediation and targeted drying in a Hove HMO

The mould was a symptom, not the whole problem

Prject insight

Using outside air as a benchmark

Why localised tenting changed the drying strategy

An Additional Affected Area Was Found Before Handover

Related information

Need urgent help?

From surface remediation to concentrated drying

Two weeks focused on the conditions behind the mould

Treating mould without ignoring the building

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Fire and smoke damage cleaning: What to do after a fire

Insurance claims for subsidence UK: A step-by-step guide

Managing fire or flood damage in a rental property: Landlord obligations UK