3 mould/damp problems 1930s

[sealed]

Hi,

I have three dodgy spots upstairs in my 1930s semi which I’m hoping someone can offer some advice for. looking for renovate this area soon.
Only lived here a year and did not come up on damp survey.

1) on bedroom ceiling. Could be from incorrectly installed loft insulation?

2) inside a cupboard built into a recess in the wall - against cold wall

3) inside a cupboard in a cold box room. Unfortunately my daughter’s bedroom. It’s always freezing in here with two exterior walls. Outside vents have been covered up before we moved here. Think this room will need trickle vents opened and some internal wall insulation.

have put some bleak photos up

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What does it have in the way of an heating system?

How do you dry clothes?
Do you boil pans with lids?
Is there any forced ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom?

Those cupboards need to have their ventilation improved.

 

[Deleted member 292770]

I think harry is suggesting condensation.
Although some will suggest the bay may be leaking from above , the damp pattern does not suggest it.
A dehumidifier set at 60% would be a good start this time of year.

 

[sealed]

What does it have in the way of an heating system?

How do you dry clothes?
Do you boil pans with lids?
Is there any forced ventilation in the kitchen and bathroom?

Those cupboards need to have their ventilation improved.

clothes dried in condensing tumble dryer only, extractors in kitchen and bathroom.

pans is a good point. Radiators upstairs.

I think these cupboards do not ventilation. My concern is also that they are on cold walls.

 

[sealed]

I think harry is suggesting condensation.
Although some will suggest the bay may be leaking from above , the damp pattern does not suggest it.
A dehumidifier set at 60% would be a good start this time of year.

What do you think might be the issue with the bay?

 

[Deleted member 292770]

could be water penetrating via lead flashing or a window/cill , or mortar above. looks too uniform though , my guess based on the picture would be condensation .
A picture of the window and the leadwork or whatever is sealing it outside would help.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What do you think might be the issue with the bay?

My suggestion would be cold bridging, from the roof of the bay to the interior, as it appears to be the full width. .

 

[sealed]

My suggestion would be cold bridging, from the roof of the bay to the interior, as it appears to be the full width. .

thanks Harry. Any ideas on how to sort this?

 

[tell80]

Pic 1. shows a nib of brickwork with what looks very dark shadows near the top.
It could be heavy condensation, but another pic of that area would help?
There are also lighter shadows along the lintel beam - and even water marks?

Pic 2. shows spotted condensation inside a cupboard - but what is the condition of the (outside?)wall behind the cupboard unit?
Wipe off the condensation, remove all thats removeable from the cupboard and leave the doors open - pull the unit well away from the wall if it will move.

Pic 3. Shows another cupboard with either very heavy condensation or even penetrating damp?
Remove all chattels and shelves and leave the door open. Then provide a light and take a better pic of the dark patch but dont wipe it off yet.

Go into the loft above these areas & look for leaks, and sufficient insulation.
The rooms you show are partially in the roof space which could be making them colder.
If you have cavity walls do you have CWI?
Outside pics showing the gable wall, and, as best you can, the area where the pitched roof meets the bay roof would help?
Sometimes, constant trickle ventilation, & constant trickle heat are a good method of dealing with condensation.

 

[sealed]

I’ve attached some pictures of the outside. They’re solid walls.

I’ve marked in red (front of house) the cupboard in picture 2. The peddle dash side is the wall of cupboard in the 3rd picture.

 

[sealed]

Went up in loft and cold bridging is probably from part of the ceiling no being insulated.

The insulation is thin and needs replacing anyway. I think I’ll need to clear it all, replace with some decent stuff and cover A and B here.

thanks for the advice. I reckon the other mould might be sorted by putting a vent in the cupboard door, and removing the other cupboard for the external wall, putting some internal insulation and insulation pboard up and either putting on another wall or returning to the wall with ventilated doors/shelves instead.

 

[tell80]

Thanks for the annotated pics. Doing that really helps.

Pic 1. Has valleys discharging either side of the roof. The LH side with the Hopper, & the RH side should both be examined for debris and all tiles present and in position.
The soffit on the LH side has had repairs using T&G boards instead of the original render.

Pic 2. has the well maintained render - but with a solid wall there's a possibility of extra cold penetration.

Pic 3. shows the dash in good order - but same cold possibility as Pic 2.

Your 1920's semi has been kept in great condition, & the damp/condensation difficulties are minor.
The front render is showing its age but as long as the cracks dont allow moisture, and there's no bulging it should be good for more years.

Definitely pile on the insulation in the loft.

 

[sealed]

Pic 3. shows the dash in good order - but same cold possibility as Pic 2.

.

thanks for your help. Had the valleys sorted as soon as I moved in as water was pouring down the wall on the first night!

For the cold, I’ll strip the room and internally insulate the outside walls.

I think the issue with no.2 could be related to that roof on the front. There’s a screwed in MDF board i can take out the back of the cupboard to investigate too.

 

[cwhaley]

I think you've correctly identified the issue in your sketch. We had mould forming at exactly the same point in our front (North-facing) bedroom. The corners of the ceiling on the outside wall curve down to meet the wall and behind that curve is no insulation. I've been put off stuffing insulation behind it so I repainted the whole ceiling in a mould-resistant paint. Surprisingly it stopped the mould and along with good ventilation everywhere else we no longer have any.

 

[Nige F]

T

Your 1920's semi has been kept in great condition,
Definitely pile on the insulation in the loft.

1930's tell - do keep up