Members of the Property Care Association should be proud of who they are and what they do.

After posting a bit of the normal promotional stuff on LinkedIn this week, I was not surprised to see one of the usual trolls post a completely vacuous comment suggesting the PCA promoted the use of plastic as a remedy for dampness and therefore calling into question the ethics and technical ethos of not only the Association’s work but that of its members.

Over the last few years under the direction from its Board and supported by members, the Association has worked incredibly hard to prove to the world that it is, and remains, an organisation committed to the long-term protection and improvement of buildings and their occupants. Not only that but through their efforts and investments be the custodians, creators and exponents of best practice in the understanding, control and eradication of dampness in buildings.

 It is somewhat frustrating to hear the voices of those that seek to pour scorn on the Association and its members, probably for their own financial advantage. Citing members and the Association as organisations that are intent on damage in the pursuit of short term profit. Could I suggest that anyone who has an open mind but may lean toward this view should turn from this prejudicial outlook and take a proper look at what the Property Care Association says and does.  

Uncontrolled water in buildings is the primary reason for their failure. Rainwater, groundwater and atmospheric moisture in excess will blight the lives of owners and eventually destroy their most important physical asset. Everyone involved with the inspection, maintenance and repair of buildings must therefore have respect, knowledge and a basic understanding of the processes and implications of dampness.

It is barely plausible then that when a Trade body that has a linage of over 85 years and that lives and breathes the subject is lambasted when it publicly works so hard to challenge, educate, inform.

The facts speak for themselves. PCA is currently spending considerable sums of members money to enable university research and are willing contributions to national standards. We are prepared to fly speakers in from distant continents to further knowledge and will engage in discussion with anyone who may help in the furtherance of understanding. These tangible things stand testament to the open minds and long-term vision of those who are rightly proud to be members on the PCA.

 Our conference starts tomorrow with over 250 seats sold over the two days of presentations. It is again a demonstration of the commitment of members that 95% of these seats will be filled by those who are members of the Association who have again demonstrated their willingness to invest time and money to quench their thirst for knowledge.

It is difficult to understand why more of the great people who deal with the effects of water in buildings are not going to be with us at this ground-breaking event. More difficult still to understand why cynical minds would deplore the efforts of our members and their Association to be the best they can be not only in the UK but the world. 

Steve Hodgson

Chief Executive Office

Property Care Association