Kitchen problems!

[chriselevate]

Hi guys,

As some of you probably know I'm in the process of ripping out my old kitchen floor and replacing with concrete.

Now I've started pulling out the units I'm finding the wall behind pretty rough!!!! Could you take a look and let me know what you think.

(the green mess halfway up the photo on this one is actually a sort of horrible paint!!!)

(The gap on the left was where the dishwasher was and the gap on the right the washing machine. There were no vents in the kickboards here except the one on the fridge unit which is on the far right of the photo.)

I'm going to put a DPC in before the concrete and liquid DPC before I screed the floor so there shouldn't be any moisture coming up.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[^woody^]

What is the actual question, and what problem are your trying to solve?

 

[chriselevate]

Well my worry is the wall behind the units looks a mess... is it damp? Is it going to cause problems? Should I do something about it before fitting a new kitchen etc?

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

It looks like classic condensation mould due to cold walls, moist air and no air-flow

Once the units are out and floor done, then hack off the plaster (or treat mould, reskim as required and then paint with a mould resistant paint.

Then lag all the water pipes and cover the w/m trap

 

[chriselevate]

You don't think there's much to worry about?

You see I don't think it's as bad behind the fridge (there's a air vent in it's kick board) which I guess proves a point.

Unfortunately it's a solid construction house and we have had damp problems elsewhere and had to line the walls to get rid of the problem.

You say cover the washing machine waste... what sort of thing are you thinking about?

I guess modern units on adjustable legs will help air flow better than the old style that are solid to the floor? Do units need air vents on the kick boards or how's it dine these days?

Thanks

 

[^woody^]

It wont be bad behind a fridge due to the heat given off and the associated convection currents

Mould is common behind many kitchen units and you need to minimise the chances of moist air and condensation - so lagging pipes and covering w/m traps prevents this - a poly bag or similar will do.

You don't need to vent the space, just limit moist air from getting to the cold wall

 

[chriselevate]

Thanks again for your response and help. I really appreciate it!

So you dont think there's a damp problem on my wall? That's good news!!! And there's no need for vents in the front if the units or air vents being fitted in the walls through the bricks?

You say lagging to the pipes there a lot of choice on here... http://search.wickes.co.uk/search#w=pipe lagging&asug=Pipe lag

Is it the foam stuff you mean? What's the difference between the bylaw ad economy etc?

Thanks

 

[Nige F]

economy is fine for your application - looks like my house when we did the kitchen - was yours inhabited by old folks who never opened a window get a good kitchen extractor - NOT a Hotpoint we got ours to match the oven + hob ( they are fine ) but the extractor is noisy and nasty

 

[Alarm]

Is that the ring running around the water pipes with what looks like a taped joint?
If so get that sorted first!

 

[markzdemetrez]

Kitchen needs more cleaning and renovations.





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