A sustainability expert has urged people refurbishing homes to pay attention to the health implications of construction, which may inspire workers to sign up for plumbing courses and other professional training.
Glen Irwin, sustainability director at Gifford, explained at the online web event Sustainability Now that he has found himself chasing damp around a house he refurbished.
He described how "condensation issues and damp smells" can often appear once a building has been hermetically sealed, with the threat of such problems potentially being a reason for builders to sign up for plumbing courses.
"You have to be careful when you refurbish. You have got to think about what you are setting in place," said Mr Irwin.
The environmental expert noted that sealing a property can offer energy efficiency bonuses, but developers have to consider how to keep the building ventilated.
Sustainability Now took place on December 8th and 9th 2010 and featured advice from leading construction organisations such as the UK Green Building Council.
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