Wet areas, such as bathrooms and communal sauna facilities, are constantly exposed to moisture. For this reason, inspecting these areas is an essential part of property maintenance, as it allows for the identification of potential risks and the timely implementation of necessary measures.

A survey of wet areas can be conducted, for example, to provide baseline data for planning a pipe renovation project, thereby determining the age, condition, and repair needs of the building’s wet areas. If the company’s wet areas are relatively new or have recently been renovated, the pipeline renovation can be planned to be carried out using relining, for example. If, on the other hand, the wet areas are nearing the end of their technical service life, a traditional renovation model may be more appropriate.

Regular inspections conducted every five or ten years are a preventive measure that helps detect moisture problems at an early stage and identify potential risk factors. At the same time, this allows the company to budget for and prepare for any future wet room renovations. The housing association’s board should therefore include regular moisture surveys as part of the property’s maintenance plan.

Conducting a wet room survey

The survey is always conducted by a Eurofins-certified inspector. Often, a resident questionnaire is also distributed to residents along with resident bulletins, allowing them to provide observations and background information to the inspector. In wet areas, the following aspects are generally examined:

• Moisture readings from a surface moisture meter
• Cement tiles
• Tile and silicone joints
• Check the threshold height and slopes visually.
• The well and the connection of any waterproofing to it
• Feed-throughs and bushings
• Assessment of the age and condition of plumbing fixtures
• Assessing the adequacy of ventilation by sensory observation.
• Other observations and discrepancies

In addition, wet areas are assigned a renovation priority rating as agreed. The following categories are often used:

• Immediate need for renovation
• 1–5 years
• 5–15 years
• The space has been renovated

During the inspection, it is also possible to check, for example, the condition of plumbing fixtures in the kitchen, measure moisture levels using a surface moisture meter, assess the adequacy of fresh air supply and ventilation through visual inspection, measure the pressure differential relative to the outside air, or examine other areas as needed.
Please allow approximately 20–30 minutes per apartment for the inspection, depending on its size, and ideally, the shower should not be used for 48 hours prior to the inspection. A report will be provided following the survey, summarizing the overall situation and including apartment-specific photos and observations. Please contact us so we can discuss this further.

Call 0444018528

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Petteri Widestam

Petteri conducts inspections, airtightness and moisture measurements, and moisture surveys at Vertia. Petteri also enjoys playing the guitar and spending time with his family.