In the Herzfelde district, renovation work on the “Zwergenschloss” nursery is continuing. Following damp damage at the nursery last year, comprehensive measures have been taken to safeguard the facility in the long term and ensure it is fit for the future.
In addition to rectifying the damp damage, various structural measures were carried out in the basement. These included, amongst other things, refurbishment work in the kitchen and bathroom areas, the repair of damage in the group rooms, the repair of a damaged ceiling beam and the replacement of window lintels.
The damage first became apparent last autumn. In September, damp was first detected in a wall in the utility room. Due to the persistent rainfall, it was initially assumed that the cause was weather-related. Shortly afterwards, however, damage to a drinking water pipe was discovered. The spread of damp was exacerbated by the building’s construction: the absence of a damp-proof course allowed the water to rise through the masonry by capillary action. It is not possible to determine with certainty how long this damage had actually been present. As a result of this, and following various tests which detected mould spores, the nursery was closed as a precautionary measure, as the possibility of mould growth could not be ruled out. The children are currently being looked after, together with their key carers, at the Sperlingshausen nursery.
In the basement, where damp had risen through the masonry, a horizontal damp-proof course has now been installed using a water-repellent treatment. This will protect the building from rising damp in future. The work is now in its final stages, although it had been delayed due to the low outside temperatures. A horizontal damp-proof course has been installed on all walls in contact with the ground.
The investigations also revealed that one bathroom in the basement, in particular, had structural defects that encouraged the spread of mould.
At the start of the refurbishment, the affected section of the building was completely separated from the rest of the building to prevent the spread of mould spores. After elevated spore levels were also detected on the ground floor and first floor, the facility was closed as a precautionary measure. Subsequently, all open-pored materials were removed from both the upper and lower sections. In addition, numerous items of furnishings, such as furniture, toys and other objects and materials, were disposed of due to their age, condition and the fact that they were no longer suitable for educational purposes.
The latest interim test results show that the situation on the upper floor has not deteriorated since October. No new damp patches or mould growth have been detected, nor are there any typical odours. However, the measured levels of mould spores (spores – not mould!) in the indoor air remain higher than those in the outdoor air when tested.
The next steps will involve carrying out a thorough clean and ensuring intensive ventilation of the building. In addition, old woodchip wallpaper will be removed in order to identify any hidden damp patches. The walls will then be repainted with vapour-permeable silicate paint. Once these measures have been completed, a further compliance test is planned.
In addition, modernisation work is being carried out, including child-proofing the radiators and replacing the flooring. Whether renovation work is also required in the bathroom areas on the upper floor will only become clear once further work has been carried out on the building structure.
In addition, consideration is being given to whether further necessary measures should be carried out immediately in the outdoor area, such as replacing paving slabs and carrying out other minor repairs, which usually require significant safety precautions whilst the nursery is in operation.
As things stand, the aim is to reopen the nursery at the start of the new nursery year. This is subject to the work progressing according to plan and the necessary specialist contractors being available.