Sick of Mould behind radiator

[Mr Sparkle]

The wall

So the radiator is a red herring then; it’s just a patch of cold wall.

What is the construction of the wall?

Cavity wall (not insulated)

I'm not so sure it's a red herring bevause the wall temp was measured with the rads off during various points of the days and thd entire wall showed a virtually identical/consisted temp. We do get the odd tiny bit of mould around the window reveals as well.

 

[endecotp]

Cavity wall (not insulated)

Have you considered insulating it?

 

[opps]

As a decorator, I have had customers with walls and ceilings which they wanted to be repainted because of mould. I try to explain to them that they need to increase air flow. Waterbased eggshell will minimise the risk of mould. The downside is that any condensation will run down the wall, potentially on to any carpet.

 

[JohnD]

I'm not so sure it's a red herring bevause the wall temp was measured with the rads off during various points of the days and thd entire wall showed a virtually identical/consisted temp. We do get the odd tiny bit of mould around the window reveals as well.

Have you worked out yet where the water is coming from?

The wall does not create it.

 

[^woody^]

That's a most unusual and least expected place for condensation mould to occur. Lack of air-flow is part of the equation and conditions for a mould-growing environment, and the area behind a radiator is going to get not just a lot of air flow but be a very dry area too which condensation mould just won't grow in.

 

[noseall]

That's a most unusual and least expected place for condensation mould to occur. Lack of air-flow is part of the equation and conditions for a mould-growing environment, and the area behind a radiator is going to get not just a lot of air flow but be a very dry area too which condensation mould just won't grow in.

I agree.

I'm wondering if the rad is ever turned on...?

 

[stevie888]

Maybe the rad has wet toweks draped over it.

 

[endecotp]

That's a most unusual and least expected place for condensation mould to occur. Lack of air-flow is part of the equation and conditions for a mould-growing environment, and the area behind a radiator is going to get not just a lot of air flow but be a very dry area too which condensation mould just won't grow in.

There isn't a radiator. He has removed it. I think he's talking about a patch of wall where a radiator used to be, though it's not very clear. See posts 10 and 11.

 

[^woody^]

There isn't a radiator. He has removed it. I think he's talking about a patch of wall where a radiator used to be, though it's not very clear. See posts 10 and 11.

The thread title says "Sick of Mould behind radiator", and the pedantic me can't ignore that, or the poor and incorrect capitalisation.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

The thread title says "Sick of Mould behind radiator", and the pedantic me can't ignore that, or the poor and incorrect capitalisation.

Incorrect capitalisation is mildly infuriating. But give me grace because the mould is doing my head in.

To clarify. The rad was on the wall. Thick black mould was noted almost exclusively behind the radiator.

So whipped off the rad, removed and treated mould. Then have decorated the area, finishing with matt paint. .

However, I do this about once a year and I'm sick of it.

So i plan to try something new like insulation foil or egg shell (or silk) paint as suggested.

Have you considered insulating it?

I considered IWI but scrapped this idea as the works will be too disruptive. And we only really have the one problem area i.e. Behind the rad.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Maybe the rad has wet toweks draped over it.

Not going to lie. This is the most likely culprit.

 

[Mottie]

Not going to lie. This is the most likely culprit.

A damp towel over the rad will obviously stop the airflow. Get a radiator airer.