Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Introduction

This chapter will present conclusions drawn from the results of the case study undertaken to

achieve the research aim. The research aim of this dissertation was to investigate the growth

of Whisky Black on residential properties in Dumbarton. The objectives set for this

dissertation will be reflected upon in terms of how successfully they have been met.

Following these conclusions, recommendations will be presented to academia of further

research which should be carried out in order to develop the understanding of Whisky Black

and its effect on the built environment.

5.2 Conclusions

A review of the existing literature surrounding Whisky Black was undertaken to begin the

research process. This was followed by case study research involving a series of visual

inspections carried out of fifty residential properties in Dumbarton to determine the extent of

growth of Whisky Black in the area and the growth of the fungus on different construction

materials on the exterior of these properties.

The first objective set out by the researcher was to critically review the existing literature

available regarding the fungus. When carrying out the literature review, it became apparent

that there was very little in the way of academic information available on Whisky Black.

However, through a variety of different forms of literature, a number of viewpoints were

uncovered as to the cause of the black fungus and its growth on buildings adjacent to whisky

bonds. Some argue that the fungus is a naturally growing microflora found to grow in areas
exposed to extreme weather conditions. However, others state that the fungus grows where

ethanol is present in the air i.e. in areas surrounding whisky bonded warehouses. The

literature review explored the significant presence of the whisky industry in Scotland in terms

of the economy and also the large number of bonds located throughout the country storing

large volumes of whisky for a number of years. The whisky industry also plays a major role

in the country’s tourist and import trades and therefore, highlighting an issue caused by a

stage in the historic manufacturing process of whisky is not one to be taken lightly. Solutions

to the whisky black growth were also highlighted including both maintenance and industrial

solutions. These included periodical cleaning of the property and oxidising equipment

installed within the bonded warehouses to reduce the amount of ethanol being released into

the air.

Undertaking a visual survey of a selection of residential properties surrounding the

bonded warehouses was the next objective set. A visual survey was carried out of fifty

residential properties within close proximity to the bonded warehouses in Dumbarton. The

inspection process was successfully refined in order to survey a relatively large number of

properties and their individual construction materials within the time constraints the

researcher was working to. A coherent quantitative data set was produced following the

visual surveys which allowed patterns within the findings to become apparent.

The next objective was to analyse the findings of the survey to establish the extent of the

growth and spread of the fungus in Dumbarton. The growth of Whisky Black in Dumbarton

surrounding the bonded warehouses was found to be significant with each of the fifty

properties in the case study affected by the fungus to some extent. The data set was

successfully manipulated in order to analyse how the location and orientation of a property

affected the extent of growth of Whisky Black. It became clear that properties located closest

to the bonded warehouses suffered from a greater extent of growth of the fungus than those
properties that sit slightly further away. It can also be concluded that the East elevations of

the properties experienced the heaviest growth; it was observed that this is due to the bonded

warehouses being located to the East and South-East of these properties.

A further objective was to determine building materials which attract/enhance the growth

of Whisky Black. Bricks, PVC, timber, re-constituted stone and roughcast were inspected on

each elevation of each property where applicable. The results uncovered that bricks

experience the greatest extent of Whisky Black growth and that PVC and re-constituted stone

experience similarly low extents of growth. The materials were grouped by their texture into

smooth and rough materials. PVC and re-constituted were considered as smooth textured and

bricks, timber and roughcast were considered as rough textured. Analysis of the results

proved that rough textured materials suffered a heavier growth of Whisky Black than smooth

textured materials.

The final objective of the dissertation was to discuss the potential damage suffered by the

building envelope due to the fungicidal growth and the associated cleaning methods used to

remove it. It was highlighted in the literature review that the fungicidal growth has

detrimental effects on the residential properties, not only is it unsightly but it may adversely

affect the market value of the property. Fungus growth can be problematic to a building’s

structure due to its ability to hold and trap water, the freeze-thaw cycle of water can cause

building materials to fracture or distort within a building. The structural integrity of the

properties was not inspected during this research study, therefore the full extent of damage

suffered by the structure of the properties, due to Whisky Black growth, remains unknown.

The growth of the fungus does not appear to cause damage to the property’s building fabric

directly however, cleaning of the properties to remove the fungus is may be harmful to the

construction materials. Power washing and abrasive cleaning solutions can cause damage to
the surface of some construction materials; damage to the face of brickwork was observed

during the visual inspections of the case study.

Additional information was also gathered during the visual inspections of the properties

surrounding the bonded warehouses in Dumbarton. Large amounts of street furniture such as

lampposts, trees, timber fences etc. were also affected by the growth of Whisky Black. The

fungus was found to grow on a range of materials, further to the construction materials

inspected on the properties, including steel garage doors and iron fencing. This information

provided evidence of claims made in literature of the ability of the fungus to grow on a

variety of materials.

This dissertation has successfully achieved the research aim to investigate the growth of

Whisky Black on residential properties in Dumbarton. A basic knowledge of Baudoinia was

formed following the review of the existing literature as well as a number of unanswered

questions surrounding the fungus and the patterns of its growth. The case study research

effectively produced a data set which could be analysed in order to establish the growth and

spread of Whisky Black in Dumbarton. The results were manipulated to uncover patterns of

growth in relation to location, orientation and texture of construction material. Whisky Black

was found to grow more heavily on properties located to the West of the bonded warehouses.

Elevations facing East (in the direction of the warehouses) experienced the heaviest growth

and construction materials with a rough texture suffered a greater extent of growth than those

with a smooth texture.

5.3 Recommendations

It is highly recommended that further academic research is undertaken in this subject area.

Although this dissertation successfully achieved the aim and objectives set out, there are

still a number of unknown entities surrounding the growth of Whisky Black. The

epidemic of Baudoinia throughout Scotland is extensive and so it is essential that a greater

understanding of the fungus is established.

Further areas which should be researched are:

 Investigation to confirm ethanol as the source of growth of Whisky Black. The

source of Whisky Black is still under debate, ways in which to successfully prevent or

reduce its growth can be more easily developed once the source is confirmed.

 Visual surveys carried out within other areas of Scotland to establish further patterns

of growth. Areas of the country which experience differing weather conditions should

be inspected and compared to develop the understanding of the growth of the fungus

and the climatic conditions it favours.

 Further research into the damage suffered by building materials on the external

envelope of properties due to the growth of the fungus should be undertaken. It has

not yet been established if building materials will deteriorate from experiencing

particularly heavy or long term growths of the fungus.

 Research of safe and non-destructive cleaning methods to remove the fungus from the

external surfaces of buildings. It is important that residential properties and other

buildings suffering from growth of Whisky Black are not damaged during its removal

as this could lead to structural damage to properties.

 Establish effective ways of reducing ethanol emissions from bonded warehouses in

order to significantly reduce the growth of Baudoinia. Oxidisation equipment is

believed to reduce the amount of ethanol released into the air during the maturing

process without affecting the taste of the whisky. This should be explored further and

feasibility studies carried out to investigate the effectiveness of installing this

equipment in bonded warehouses throughout the country.

 Exploration of the potential health issues related to the growth of Whisky Black. The

fungus has been seen to have a significant effect on houses and street furniture, yet it

is unknown what affect it has on the human body. Are residents at risk of health

issues due to the fungus?

 Research should be carried out amongst Building Surveying professionals to

determine how Whisky Black is recorded within building inspection reports. Are

there any recommendations made by professional bodies such as the Royal Institution

of Chartered Surveyors?