Diogo De Freitas is a diagnostic surveyor in the council’s damp and mould team. He tells us what his job involves and why he thinks of his team as “property doctors”

If someone reports damp and mould in one of the council’s homes, it’s my job to investigate it, find the root cause and come up with a plan for fixing it.
There are lots of different things that can cause damp and mould – from a leaking pipe, or see the moisture levels going up, or water getting in from outside, to everyday condensation.

It’s not always easy to find the root cause and often I’ll work through a process of elimination with residents. Once I’ve diagnosed the problem, I’ll come up with a plan for treating it. This could involve fixing a leak, fitting extra insulation or ventilation, upgrading windows or washing walls down with a mould killer. I also give residents practical advice on managing condensation, which is normal in every home but can lead to damp and mould. Little things like opening a window or using an extractor fan can make a big difference. And I signpost people to support they might find useful, like our SHINE service that gives advice on keeping your home warm affordably.

Technology can also help. We can install humidity monitors hat spot small issues before they turn into something bigger, like if an extractor fan breaks down. This happened in one home and because we could contact the resident straight away to get it fixed, without them having to do anything. And this winter we’ll be piloting video visits, so people can show me the problem on a video call without having to wait in for a visit, which should speed things up and save residents’ time.

The most rewarding part of my job is getting to the bottom of a complicated case. Mental health is really important to me personally and people tell me about the difference it makes to them when we find a solution that works. It’s so important to have a warm, dry home where you feel safe.
That’s why I think we’re a bit like “property doctors”. We’ll work with you until we find the right treatment because we know how much it matters.

If you’re a council tenant with damp, mould or condensation, please let the council know at: islington.gov.uk/repairs or call on 0800 694 3344.