Water Leakage in a Timber Building: How to Rescue a Short-Term Flood?
Abstract
A short-term flooding event occurred in a log house, after which visible mould growth produced a strong and unpleasant odour. To date, there have been no proper assays that can convincingly show whether indoor air quality (IAQ) is harmful to occupants. Current methods for identifying IAQ problems are mainly based on microbial or air sampling methods. Our novel method is based on the water phase, specifically the sampling of water vapour from building air. Analysis of this sample uses a mitochondrial marker and macrophage cells from a human cell line (THP-1). Macrophage cells are key protectors in innate immunity. Their response to xenobiotics may present as an increase in cell number in stress-inducing samples, or as cell death when the number of toxic substances in the water vapour is too high. During the acute flooding situation in this building, belongings were moved outdoors to allow UV radiation from sunlight to destroy microbial growth. Microbial growth inside the unventilated building continued for 16 days. After renovation, the building was under-pressurised, and probiotic bacteria with malt were spread on all surfaces. All textiles were washed with a natural soap product. IAQ was evaluated using water vapour sampling and THP-1 testing. The results showed how areas at the origin of the leakage, the toilet and basement, were satisfactorily decontaminated, while the bedroom next to the toilet remained somewhat questionable. Sunlight and probiotic treatments destroyed the harmful microbes, as supported by the THP-1 results and the absence of odours inside the building two years later.
Reference
Kirsi Vaali. (2026). Water Leakage in a Timber Building: How to Rescue a Short-Term Flood?. Indoor Environment Quality - Intelligent Design Strategies for Sustainable Indoor Comfort [Working Title]. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1017797
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