Poorly built or not?

[samuraix47]

Hi, just wanted to know a few things as I have not got a clue.

Our kitchen was replastered 8 years ago, before that we never had any issues with mold, 6 months in we noticed dark spots appearing around the window and black in the corners, mostly black, grey dots everywhere. We used to have a radiator in there but as we never used it to hear the old kitchen we had it taken out, now, we have a electric wall heater if needed and open windows while cooking, mainly boiling water, anything else hob related and oven use and have an extractor fan.

Can walls sweat even though they are dry that have had a second layer of plaster over them? And was it a cheaper alternative to plaster over the walls than to just get all the previous plaster off?

Secondly, our small toilet has black mold/white mold growing on the walls, it has 2 outside walls which are both single brick walls. No matter what has been tried to fix the issues it's always come back. Would the only thing to do is build a second brick wall with a damp proof sheet in-between it?

Any help would be vastly appreciated.

 

[^woody^]

Dark mould internally is generally a condensation issue caused by the occupants rather than a defect of the structure.

 

[JohnD]

have an extractor fan

How powerful is it, and how often do you use it?

Some photos would be helpful.

 

[samuraix47]

Dark mould internally is generally a condensation issue caused by the occupants rather than a defect of the structure.

This is the thing woody, areas are well ventilated, kept as dry as possible.

 

[JohnD]

Secondly, our small toilet has black mold/white mold growing on the walls, it has 2 outside walls which are both single brick walls. No matter it's always come back. Would the only thing to do is build a second brick wall with a damp proof sheet in-between it?

No, the first thing would be to ventilate it better.

How is it currently ventilated, and how is it heated?

Is the floor concrete?

How old is the house?

What has been tried to fix the issues?

Some photos would help.

 

[JP_]

Would the only thing to do is build a second brick wall with a damp proof sheet in-between it?

That probably won't help as it is likely because the wall is cold and moisture condensers on the inside that you get black mould. Same with the kitchen.
Only solution is insulate to help keep the temperature of the internal walls above dew point at all times.

Ventilation / extraction can only help so much, if the walls are cold, mould will likely form.

 

[samuraix47]

Pictures of the toilet wall and upper kitchen window frame.

 

[samuraix47]

No, the first thing would be to ventilate it better.

How is it currently ventilated, and how is it heated?

Is the floor concrete?

How old is the house?

What has been tried to fix the issues?

Some photos would help.

Sent 2 pictures.

Floor is concrete, built in 1970, but poorly built. It's a Council home that my mum is thinking if buying, but if repair costs are high she won't bother.

 

[JohnD]

View attachment 198243

upper kitchen window frame.

if those black spots are on the ceiling it is certainly condensation. What is above the ceiling? A flat roof? Insulation would help, and also make the room less cold.

Condensation on a kitchen ceiling is generally caused by water vapour escaping from kettles, pans, sinks and wet washing.

How powerful is the extractor fan, and how often is it used?

 

[JohnD]

View attachment 198242

Pictures of the toilet wall

Stand back and take a wider pic please. I can't tell what it is. How is the toilet heated and ventilated?

What is on the other side of that wet wall? Please take a photo right up to gutter level, and show any downpipes, overflows or drains.

 

[samuraix47]

if those black spots are on the ceiling it is certainly condensation. What is above the ceiling? A flat roof? Insulation would help, and also make the room less cold.

Condensation on a kitchen ceiling is generally caused by water vapour escaping from kettles, pans, sinks and wet washing.

How powerful is the extractor fan, and how often is it used?

The extractor fan is small, there is a second floor above the kitchen.

Yeah, when we use the kettle or boil rice/eggs etc etc we always open the windows, the fan is automatic and comes on.

I'll add a few more pictures.

 

[samuraix47]

The pictures.

On the outside wall there, the wood panel, the single brick behind that, the nails inside have also started to rust through.

 

[JohnD]

Where is the wooden panel?

It's possible there are marks of a leak from the gutter half way between the windows. Look and see if it drips immediately after rain. There is an overflow pipe, probably from a WC cistern. Does it ever drip?

In the toilet I think there might be a water leak in the corner. It does look rather damp.

I can't identify the extractor fan. Use a joss stick or a smouldering cigarette to see if it draws air out of the kitchen. It might perhaps be weak or clogged.

Are wet clothes ever aired indoors?