SECURUS/Use Cases/Mould prevention

Mould prevention with temperature and humidity monitoring

Damp walls and musty smells are often noticed only after a problem has existed for some time. SECURUS tracks humidity and temperature over time. This helps identify unusual conditions earlier and investigate them. The sensors do not detect mould itself or replace a building inspection.

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Basement, Building AExample history · 24 h

Elevated humidity · Basement, Building A · 82 %

Example data for illustration. You set the thresholds yourself in the platform.

How it works

From the reading to the right person.

Measure

Sensors record readings or events directly on site.

Basement, Building A · 82 %

Transmit

Via LoRaWAN to a gateway within range, then through its internet connection to the platform.

Check

The platform checks every value against your thresholds, rules and time windows.

Above 70 %

Alert

The responsible person receives an SMS or email with location, time and trigger.

Email to building services16:00

Elevated humidity

Alert: Basement, Building A · 82 %

How do sensors support mould prevention?

A single humidity reading is a snapshot. For mould prevention, the duration and pattern of unusual conditions are often more useful. Does humidity rise after use? Does the room dry out afterwards? Are there differences between the basement, laundry room and stairwell?

Temperature and humidity sensors document these changes. SECURUS assigns measurement points to rooms, shows historical readings and reports configured limit breaches. The data supports discussions with maintenance teams, contractors or building surveyors.

Mould prevention for property managers

For property managers, shared basements, laundry rooms and plant rooms are practical starting points. Several buildings can be monitored centrally. Unusual conditions become visible without a site visit for every reading.

For measurements in rented homes, clarify purpose, data access and the necessary privacy and contractual arrangements. Readings should not be used to accuse residents of improper behaviour without professional assessment. Ventilation, heating, leaks and building defects can interact.

Consider humidity, leaks and heating together

High air humidity is not the only source of moisture problems. A leaking pipe can soak building elements. Leak detection at risk points complements room climate monitoring by reporting water that actually reaches the sensor.

Heating failure can allow rooms to cool. Heating monitoring may provide additional information in relevant buildings. General indoor climate monitoring can include air quality measurements alongside temperature and humidity.

Turn unusual readings into useful action

Define measurement points and responsibilities, then observe normal patterns. Decide which deviations should trigger an alert. Maintenance staff can inspect whether a usage peak, ventilation issue or visible water ingress explains the readings.

After an intervention, subsequent readings help assess whether conditions have changed. Visible mould, persistent damp or unexplained damage require professional attention. Monitoring supports investigation and follow-up; it does not repair the damage.

In practice

Understand basement humidity

Temperature, ventilation and building elements interact. A single humidity reading does not explain the cause.

Understand basement humidity

A cool basement responds differently to ventilation than a heated living room. When warm, humid outdoor air enters and cools, its relative humidity increases. Condensation can form on sufficiently cold surfaces. Continuous summer ventilation is therefore not automatically helpful.

Assessment should consider temperature, humidity history, use and building condition together. A room air sensor does not measure moisture inside masonry. Wet structural elements or recurring problems require professional investigation regardless of air readings.

Dew point, thermal bridges and cold surfaces

Relative humidity depends on temperature. Conditions at a cold external wall can therefore differ from those at a sensor in the centre of the room. Assessing a particular surface may require additional measurements at the affected building elements.

The dew point is the temperature at which water vapour can condense under the given conditions. A calculated dew point alone does not tell you whether a wall reaches that temperature. Humidity monitoring can provide clues but cannot reliably locate thermal bridges or prove the cause of mould damage.

Which patterns in the readings are useful?

Does humidity rise only while the laundry room is in use and fall afterwards? Does it remain elevated for longer periods? Does a change start after rain or heating failure? Such timing helps plan an investigation but does not yet prove a cause.

Record measurement location, use and interventions. After a repair or operating change, observe whether the patterns change. A reading alone should not be used to blame occupants.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about mould prevention

Can a sensor detect mould?

The sensors used here measure temperature and humidity. They do not detect mould or mould spores.

What is the correct humidity for a basement?

It depends on temperature, use and building condition. One universal limit cannot reliably describe the risk.

Does summer ventilation prevent mould?

Not automatically. Warm outdoor air may cool in a basement and increase relative humidity.

Does monitoring detect a thermal bridge?

A room air sensor cannot reliably identify a thermal bridge. Surface measurements and a professional survey may be needed.

Can I monitor several basements?

Yes. Rooms and buildings can be assigned separately and compared centrally in SECURUS.

Does this prove the cause of mould?

No. Historical readings support investigation but do not by themselves prove a building defect or responsibility.

More use cases

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Monitor temperatures in server rooms, plant rooms and storage areas.

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Track fault contacts and flow and return temperatures.

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Monitor cold rooms and freezers with temperature alerts.

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Detect water at risk points and send targeted alerts.

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Review CO₂, temperature and humidity by room.

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Energy monitoring

Understand equipment electricity demand and consumption trends.

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Door and window monitoring

Monitor open and closed states using rules suited to your operating hours.

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Detect potential fall events without cameras.

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Request help or service at the push of a button.

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Measure noise objectively instead of guessing.

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Detect pressure loss in heating and pipes early.

Heating circuit: 1.8 bar

Water · Gas · Electricity

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Read water, gas and electricity meters automatically.

Water meter: 12.4 m³

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Document hot water and pipe temperatures.

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Monitor pH, conductivity, chlorine and oxygen.

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Detect unnecessary lighting and dark areas.

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Water trees and green spaces when they need it.

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Understand humidity in your buildings

Tell us which rooms have recurring humidity issues. We will plan monitoring points that help you understand conditions and track changes.

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