Hello all,
I'm afraid I'm going to be another DIYer posting a question on mould/damp/condensation problems and asking for advice on a fix.
I have a first floor storage cupboard in a bedroom above the stairs which has been 'converted' into a wardrobe. The cupboard is about 1m square, brick walls - two internal walls and one external wall (the door taking up most of the fourth wall). There are central heating pipes running under the cupboard, no carpet. There is also a loft hatch in the cupboard. The property was built in 1909 and has recently had cavity wall insulation put in.
Here's the problem (which you've probably already guessed): There is mould growing on the clothes that were against the external wall. I assume that there are a number of issues causing this - heat from central heating pipes, cold air from the loft hatch, cold external walls. I assume that these mean that condensation forms and then the proximity of the clothes causes mould to grow.
Here's a few things I was thinking of doing:
Insulate the loft hatch - the loft has been re-insulated but don't recall we did the hatch.
Leave the cupboard door open during the day to allow better circulation of air.
Put in a 'false wall' - a plasterboard/plywood wall with, say, 1cm gap from the exterior wall. Would something such as kingspan be better?
Not use it as a wardrobe as the problem would still persist.
The above suggestions may be idiotic, so before I start making big mistakes I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Many thanks
David
I'm afraid I'm going to be another DIYer posting a question on mould/damp/condensation problems and asking for advice on a fix.
I have a first floor storage cupboard in a bedroom above the stairs which has been 'converted' into a wardrobe. The cupboard is about 1m square, brick walls - two internal walls and one external wall (the door taking up most of the fourth wall). There are central heating pipes running under the cupboard, no carpet. There is also a loft hatch in the cupboard. The property was built in 1909 and has recently had cavity wall insulation put in.
Here's the problem (which you've probably already guessed): There is mould growing on the clothes that were against the external wall. I assume that there are a number of issues causing this - heat from central heating pipes, cold air from the loft hatch, cold external walls. I assume that these mean that condensation forms and then the proximity of the clothes causes mould to grow.
Here's a few things I was thinking of doing:
Insulate the loft hatch - the loft has been re-insulated but don't recall we did the hatch.
Leave the cupboard door open during the day to allow better circulation of air.
Put in a 'false wall' - a plasterboard/plywood wall with, say, 1cm gap from the exterior wall. Would something such as kingspan be better?
Not use it as a wardrobe as the problem would still persist.
The above suggestions may be idiotic, so before I start making big mistakes I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Many thanks
David