Mould issues

[gregers]

if the windows have trickle vents fitted get them to open them up.
the trouble with this sort of problem is,
over the years we have created it.by sealing everything up so there is no air movement at all,apart from the front/back door being opened a couple of times a day,really isnt enough.

 

[AronSearle]

The problem with condensation is mostly pretty basic, once you have the right bits to read, (which people here have linked to), you can pretty much learn all you need to know for 95% of problems in half an hour.

The suggesting of getting in a specialists is a joke, it is a DIY forum, the clue is in the name.

It's only when you want you to fix the problem by upgrading insulation, not providing more ventillation (which is often more than adequate with correct levels of insulation), that you need to start getting a little more clued up, even then you can learn what you need to from the net.

You only need a specialist if you would rather just pay someone else to deal with it, and spend your time doing something more enjoyable.

 

[Erica123]

Of course, you don't need a specialist, or anyone who has an in-depth knowledge, posting on a diy forum will do...

That's why so many properties in this country are in a dismal state, with problems never getting properly sorted.

 

[AronSearle]

with problems never getting properly sorted.

Because.

The buildings are **** and people don't/cant spend proper money on fixing the problems, and at best apply sticking plaster solutions.

Meaning that occupants then have to thourougly heat as well as provide excessive ventillation to stop the condensation, but they can't afford to.

Tenents sometimes don't care.

Landlords sometimes don't care.

Sorry if YOU can't get a handle on this., but this is not rocket science, you don't need a specalist for this.

 

[masona]

Or would it not be better to have someone look at it who is knowledgeable and experienced and who can find out where the problem lies?

No they're well known for pointless work ripping people off just like the rising damp that doesn't exist, you only need a small changes in lifestyle with more ventilation.

A useful link, http://www.heritage-house.org/pages/managing-damp-in-old-buildings.html

Did you know that in Holland, they don't even have damp courses? True... Even in new houses, damp proof courses are not required. They build their houses with their feet in the water, and they don't get wet walls. I teach Dutch architectural students at college, and they fall about laughing when we talk about what they call our 'Quaint English Custom' of damp courses and injection damp proofing. Sounds funny, but this is serious stuff - we are being defrauded to the tune of hundreds of millions a year, by chemical companies selling useless, fraudulent treatment.

 

[jeds]

I worked on sites in Australia years ago and although polythene dpcs were marked on the drawings every time I asked for it I was told nah, don't worry mate. We don't bother with them.

 

[Erica123]

Or would it not be better to have someone look at it who is knowledgeable and experienced and who can find out where the problem lies?

No they're well known for pointless work ripping people off just like the rising damp that doesn't exist, you only need a small changes in lifestyle with more ventilation.

I wrote "knowledgeable and experienced" people not "con-men and cowboys". But I guess as the building trade in this country is infested with people you can't trust, many people will have to continue living in damp, poorly insulated dwellings.

Did you know that in Holland, they don't even have damp courses? True... Even in new houses, damp proof courses are not required. They build their houses with their feet in the water, and they don't get wet walls. I teach Dutch architectural students at college, and they fall about laughing when we talk about what they call our 'Quaint English Custom' of damp courses and injection damp proofing. Sounds funny, but this is serious stuff - we are being defrauded to the tune of hundreds of millions a year, by chemical companies selling useless, fraudulent treatment.

You've been wrongly informed because the Netherlands do have builidings with damp problems. I guess it's a question of how to address this problem. This German water proofing company lists a number of Dutch buildings that they worked on:

http://www.kosterusa.com/us_en/fref-50-43-626/deutschland,+bremen,+keller+-+horizontalsperre.html

 

[AronSearle]

I wrote "knowledgeable and experienced" people not "con-men and cowboys".

Then people are better of on this forumn than hiring people, only get a specalist if you simply can't be arsed and want to pay someone else to fix it.

There is nothing complicated about condensation.

many people will have to continue living in damp, poorly insulated dwellings.

I told you why, and it has nothing to do with "experts", but please continue to spout your ignorant opinion and unhelpfull advice.

 

[JohnD]

looking at the OP, is there any reason to suppose that a salesman who sells silicone injections will be any help?

Need advice, was called out to look at at house today with light mould on the walls, beside the bed, around the windows etc, the bed was up against the wall with loads of boxes underneath so I'm guessing there's no air there at all,they have a fridge freezer in the living room!! And there is mould growing behind that too, I'm guessing again that this is due to the heat of the f/f and no air circulation!!
They do apparently keep the trickle vent on the window open..
The property is a 1 bed 1st floor flat with a property above and one to the side.
Any other ideas or info would be appreciated as all I can think of to suggest is to put in some air bricks.

 

[DonDonson]

looking at the OP, is there any reason to suppose that a salesman who sells silicone injections will be any help?

Need advice, was called out to look at at house today with light mould on the walls, beside the bed, around the windows etc, the bed was up against the wall with loads of boxes underneath so I'm guessing there's no air there at all,they have a fridge freezer in the living room!! And there is mould growing behind that too, I'm guessing again that this is due to the heat of the f/f and no air circulation!!
They do apparently keep the trickle vent on the window open..
The property is a 1 bed 1st floor flat with a property above and one to the side.
Any other ideas or info would be appreciated as all I can think of to suggest is to put in some air bricks.

Hi, Johnd, sorry but I'm not sure what you mean?

 

[JohnD]

I mean that in the example you describe, the problem is most likely condensation probably caused by the most common combination of insufficient ventilation, and excessive moisture load from showers and wet washing.

Damp specialists are usually specialists in selling silicone injection treatments, which will be no help.

 

[DonDonson]

I mean that in the example you describe, the problem is most likely condensation probably caused by the most common combination of insufficient ventilation, and excessive moisture load from showers and wet washing.

Damp specialists are usually specialists in selling silicone injection treatments, which will be no help.

Johnd, sorry I don't really understand your point to me as I haven't mentioned getting silicone injection treatment!! I'm not being funny but may be being a bit slow, just not sure of your point??

 

[AronSearle]

Forget about silicon injection treatment, that's just thread derailment.

Forget about specalists, it's a simple issue.

What this comes down to is how much money you want to spend to fix the issue, combined with how high they maintain the heating (let's assume they do keep trickle vents open and are not fibbing).

A quick fix is as you already suggested, wack in some air bricks, and increase ventillation, ventillation will fix this issue, it is just a question of how much to add.

More ventillation can cause uncomftable drafts, requiring more heating, how much this bothers the tenent will depend on them, and their willingness to pay a few more pennies in heating.



Upgrading the wall insulation will increase wall surface temperatues, reducing the dew point for condensation, and the amount of ventillation required to prevent it. Poorly fitted windows are difficult to deal with, but if everything else is OK, trickle vents have more of a chance of preventing condensation around window areas.

If furniture is against poorly insulated walls, then you may need to think about how you will get airflow into those areas, this is where upgrading the insulation may be easier than providing extra ventillation.

 

[JohnD]

Damp specialists are usually specialists in selling silicone injection treatments, which will be no help.

I'm disagreeing with the poster who keeps recommending a "damp specialist"

 

[DonDonson]

Funny enough a letting agency called me out yesterday eve to look at what the tenant said was a water leak causing mould.
It wasn't at all it was the same issue with condensation, no air flow etc, and with general advice from this forum was able to advise the tenant without costly "specialists" regarding the issues.
She was living in a small studio flat with only one internal door to the bathroom, open kitchen, open stair case.
She had her bed and wardrobe up close to wall and the wall had the same black mould on the wall, wet clothing on a clothes horse, steam and heat from the kitchen, no windows or trickle vents open and heating on full pelt.
Great help and advice from this forum was past on with out any "specialists"
Thanks all.