Sebo Boliger and Sensor Innovation secure their position

Two companies with the same goal

Sebo Boliger is a real estate company more focused on quality and sustainability than many others, going to great lengths to deliver homes that require minimal maintenance over time.

Sustainable buildings are a value and goal they share with technology company Sensor Innovation, which, with its self-developed sensor system, monitors and detects moisture formations in and on buildings - before moisture causes damage. 

A building can be made more sustainable in several ways. The main element both Sebo Boliger and Sensor Innovation agree on, however, is ensuring that the building construction is preserved for as long as possible before maintenance is required. Simply put, extending the lifespan of buildings.
 
The biggest and most important challenge in this regard is moisture - both the visible moisture on surfaces and that which lies hidden in the construction.
 

Moisture in homes - a growing problem

You've probably heard about it, but perhaps not fully grasped the following: moisture formations in buildings are a rapidly growing problem. And the significant increase in moisture occurrences is a direct consequence of climate change, resulting in increasingly more precipitation.

To underscore the seriousness and trend in the development: 7 out of the 10 worst water damage years in history have occurred after 2010. Water damage costs society over 12 billion per year - more than fires and burglaries combined.

Buildings constructed today have a technical lifespan of 60-100 years, but current methods, routines, and tools are not adequate for the ongoing development. This means that new buildings completed today are highly likely to experience moisture damage much earlier than what could and should be the case. These damages cost insurance companies and building owners significant sums to rectify and negatively affect the environment in terms of material overconsumption and waste.
 

Setting their own Sebo standard

One actor who has taken this development extremely seriously is Sebo Boliger from Levanger. Sebo is a relatively young real estate company that has grown significantly in recent years. The company has a development portfolio worth several billion, and is behind exciting projects such as Kroken Hage in Verdal and Levanger Brygge in Levanger, in addition to the aforementioned Vikhammerstrand. The latter two projects are in collaboration with TOBB and Fredensborg Bolig, respectively.

Sebo Boliger sets high demands for its own deliveries and operates according to its own quality standard; the Sebo standard. This means that a home from Sebo Boliger should maintain a higher quality standard regarding material and technology choices and last longer than homes from other actors.

The Sebo standard is based on a fundamental life cycle perspective. This assumes sustainable solutions for both construction, technical solutions, and interior design, laying the groundwork for long-term living conditions for the many who move into a Sebo home.

"Many contractors are keen to tell that they follow TEK17. For us at Sebo, however, TEK17 is only a minimum requirement from the authorities, which is far from setting the standard and durability we want to offer with our buildings," says Ove Olsen, project manager at Sebo Boliger AS.

Previously, the company has mainly focused on materials that minimize the need for maintenance. This could, for example, be exterior cladding of Møre Royal, aluminum-coated windows/doors in passive house standard, and balcony railings in galvanized steel. Sebo Boliger primarily took care of the costs.

"Of course, upgrading homes in this way costs some money, but we at Sebo Boliger are convinced that it pays off in the long run. With high standards and better materials, we believe that both residents are happier and that the buildings last longer before maintenance is needed," Olsen continues.

The road to sustainable buildings is paved with moisture sensors

To achieve the goal of delivering sustainable buildings, Sebo has taken new measures. The company has entered into a collaboration with the innovative Verdal-based company Sensor Innovation, which has founders with construction expertise.

Sensor Innovation has developed the into® system, which, using sensors and AI, monitors moisture in and on building structures, and in other critical areas where moisture can cause damage. The sensors measure both water, temperature, wood moisture, and relative humidity, which are then combined with local weather data and calculated using artificial intelligence.

In total, this provides a real-time overview of the building's health. Those responsible for the building receive alerts via SMS/email or to a monitoring center if the values indicate that corrective action should be taken before damage occurs.

The sensors can be placed on roofs, walls, and floors, as well as in strategic locations such as kitchens, bathrooms, and technical rooms. The system can then be connected to a water shut-off valve, which shuts off the water if a leak or frost is detected in areas with water-carrying pipes.

Detected moisture - implemented measures

The apartment project at Vikhammerstrand was Sebo Boliger and Sensor Innovation's first formal collaboration. The sensors were primarily placed on roofs and roof terraces above heated rooms. Thanks to the sensors, moisture was detected in the ceiling before the building was handed over to the condominium. Among other things, there was high humidity and minor water accumulation in the insulation after the construction phase.

Without the sensors, many years would have passed before the moisture was detected, and then in the form of damage that had "matured" over time. This would again have created serious and costly consequential damages, costing the condominium and the insurance company a lot of money.

Through a conscious approach to condition monitoring, and with the help of experts from Sensor Innovation, Ruta Entreprenør, and ARW Entreprenør, Sebo implemented corrective measures ahead of handover. Thus, it was a dry building Sebo could deliver to the condominium in the beautiful apartment complex.

Since sensors from Sensor Innovation have a lifespan equivalent to the lifespan of the roof, the residents of the condominium can sleep soundly at night with regard to both leaks and excess water due to clogged drains.
 

Happy that moisture was detected

Instead of downplaying the moisture issue, the management at Sebo Boliger is pleased that the problem was actually uncovered and that it happened in time. The problem is significant and affects many.

"That we discovered moisture in one of our buildings does not mean that we are alone with this problem. The entire contractor industry has a problem with moisture. Our advantage is only that we now, with Sensor Innovation as part of our toolbox, can detect the moisture and rectify the problem," Olsen says.

Otherwise, Sebo Boliger would have been one of the many developers that make up the crowd; those who deliver buildings with moisture and rot formations that over time cause damage. And which result in increased costs and emissions for the condominium and insurance companies in the future.

A good basis for long-term collaboration

As a result of the collaboration at Vikhammerstrand, Sebo Boliger wants to apply moisture sensor technology to all its future projects.

"The sensor system from Sensor Innovation gives us as developers certainty about the building's health throughout the construction period, before handover, during the warranty period, and the subsequent operational phase. This is a sustainability measure that is guaranteed to be profitable for both developers, contractors, and building owners, as in this case, a condominium," Olsen concludes.

Both parties look forward to further developing this collaboration, with a common focus on reduced risk, long lifespan, and security for homeowners and the insurance industry.