Damp corners...

[churchfarmcottage]

Apologies if this topic has already surfaced BUT we have dark mould patches in the same corners of the house on Ground and First floors. All walls are render on brick. Is this likely to be something like water ingress through a screw hole (down pipe, Sky dish or similar)...Any ideas / tips are very welcome. Thanks in advance

Russ

 

[Blagard]

Where dampness is concerned it could be ingress (penetrating damp) although extremely unlikely to be a screw hole unless it went though a critical area of lead flashing.

Condensation is a possibility too

The bottom line is you need to post some more information to stop me guessing. A photo would be great.

For instance are the dark patches at low level, high level all the way down?
Is anything parked in the corners like cupboards or wardrobes.
If there a rainwater pipe near the corners.
Is the gutter leaking near the corner.
Render on brick - good, but is it a solid wall or a cavity wall

Just look hard and post everything you can.

 

[jeds]

Mould is always caused by condensation. In your case it's due to lack of air movement in the corners. Imagine air currents moving around the room, along walls etc. The currents don't quite get right into the tight corners. The corners become dead spots where condensation occurs and mould can form. Corners are also always the coldest places. If you look at the corners of a room with a thermal cameras they are significantly colder. Condensation will of course always form on the coldest surfaces. Initial solution is to reduce moisture sources and improve ventilation and maybe increase temperature.

 

[Blagard]

While I strongly suspect Jeds is right, the root cause is not always just because it is one of the most common places to get condensation.

If you have a leak causing the structure to get damp this can, especially with solid walls, make the spot colder and cause condensation where previously you never had it. Likewise turning off the heat in a room may be a change that would cause it to happen.Having a wardrobe in such a corner may cause it to happen where previously it didn't.

Reducing moisture sources can be difficult. Breathing is one of the big generators! Unvented Kitchens and Bathrooms the others where extract fans and hoods can make a big difference.

Heating and Improved Ventilation together can make an immediate impact where the sources above are already well managed.