Mould on my ceiling again and again and again

[Longshanks]

Hi

Can provide piccies if necessary but I have a problem with the corner of the ceiling that's over the bath and next to the window. No matter how many times I repaint and despite using bathroom paint etc etc it always looks horrible after a few months. It's almost psychedelic now-yellow, brown and black spots etc. Tried to remove it gingerly with a cloth and ofcourse the paint started flaking off.

Can I just repaint this section or do I need to do all? (always takes ages due to the spotlights etc)

Advice on type of paint and number of coats would also be appreciated (always do two).

Many thanks

Longshanks

 

[JohnD]

Mould ...... ceiling...over the bath

Ventiate ventilate ventilate ventilate ventilate ventilate ventilate ventilate ventilate

see
//www.diynot.com/wiki/building:condensation_in_houses

 

[Alastairreid]

You need to install an extractor fan.

 

[dcdec]

In the mean time try zinsser permawhite

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks for the swift replies. Father-in-law always says condensation is dreadful in bathroom and that we need an extractor fan. Two questions occur:

How much to fit?

Are we unlucky or does the world and his wife have extractor fans fitted these days? (thought it was just Travel Inn with no windows or ventilation of any sort).

L

 

[misterhelpful]

Standard practice now. Get a humidity sensor too so it switches on automatically when steam/moisture levels are high.

Before central heating and insulation, and with draughty old windows, condensation wasn't such a big problem.

Ah, those were the days - bl**dy freezing!!!

 

[ic1927]

Might be worth looking in the attic to see if the insulation is not covering that particular spot, this can cause a cold spot on the ceiling which can go mouldy with condensation very quickly.

 

[TheDec]

Firstly a very good point by ic1927, and well worth a look. Your problem will always reoccur if you dont first kill off the existing mould growth, this in all intense and purposes is a living germ and needs to be killed off.

Do any prep to achieve a uniform finish such as scraping and sanding, then apply an anti fungicidal wash and allow to dry, when this is achieved flirt the area with an oil based undercoat and again allow to dry. you should then be ok to apply your paint system.

Hope you find this helpful

Dec

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks again.

Yes-your replies are extremely helpful and I'll follow uo what you say. Come to think of it that side of the loft above the bathroom doesn't have much insulation as its where the spot lights were put in. Is it safe to lay insulation around these?

Also I just wonder why the majority of houses I visit (all have CH and range in age don't seem to need an extractor fan in bathroom).

Cheers

L

 

[ic1927]

You will need to place thermal loft caps over where the spotlights are in the attic, then put the insulation over them, that should solve the problem. Remember, do as TheDec advises and make sure you kill the existing mould otherwise it will continue to grow. Her's a link for thermal loft caps, good luck.

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/aico-thermal-loft-cap.html

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks again

Longshanks

 

[Longshanks]

Apologies but can I ask a last quickie on this. Can I get these thermal caps from B+Q or a specialist supplier.

Many thanks again

 

[Alastairreid]

B+q have them last time i looked.

 

[Longshanks]

Many thanks

 

[Longshanks]

Firstly a very good point by ic1927, and well worth a look. Your problem will always reoccur if you dont first kill off the existing mould growth, this in all intense and purposes is a living germ and needs to be killed off.

Do any prep to achieve a uniform finish such as scraping and sanding, then apply an anti fungicidal wash and allow to dry, when this is achieved flirt the area with an oil based undercoat and again allow to dry. you should then be ok to apply your paint system.

Hope you find this helpful

Dec

Sorry-just noticed the refernce to oil based undercoat. Is this the same sort you would use on wood prior to glos painting?