Reliability of the detection of moisture and mould damage in visual inspections

Abstract

Moisture and mould damage are common in Finnish public buildings. Due to the possible health hazards of such damage, more efficient detection methods and protocols are needed to examine it. The aim of this study is to examine the reliability of visual inspection in the detection of moisture and mould damage. The study points out that the reliability of all the research material is 70%. The highest reliability values concentrate on those structures where the repair need is highest. However, the range of reliability values is wide: from 0% to 100% depending on the age of building or structure. Reliability is highest in the most simplified structures and lowest in structures consisting of multiple layers of different building materials.