Sick of Mould behind radiator

[JohnD]

The mould is not reappearing after mould removal.

Or to put it another way, the wall is not mouldy now you are no longer hanging wet washing against it and making it damp.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I'll never install this. Seen to many horror stories.

Nobody ever complains loudly, that their CWI works brilliantly, people only complain when it goes wrong. I had it installed in the mid 90's, it works, and no problems. It certainly helps keep the expensive warmth, where it belongs, in the house, and the cold out - things is, you need to do your part, in not generating excess moisture in inside the home.

 

[JohnD]

Mine is fine. I live in a coastal area subject to winter storms and driving rain, exposed on the West. I get no damp. The heating costs dropped noticeably, and my old (15kW boiler) was no longer incapable of keeping the house warm on frosty nights. (Calculated whole-house heat loss at 20C difference dropped to 12kW)

Mine is a modern house with good quality brickwork.

My neighbours have the same result.

 

[StephenStephen]

-Get yourself a towel rail that hangs off the front of the radiator
-Put the towel on it NOT over the radiator
-If you can, leave the radiator on for a bit when the towel goes on
-Open the window for half an hour each morning

 

[Exedon]

For many years we were nominated contractors to a large housing association.
Terrace housing full refurbishment back to floor joints & roof timbers.
All radiators were installed on outside walls and behind every radiator a 9x6 air brick .Where the tenants couldn't get at them!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

All radiators were installed on outside walls and behind every radiator a 9x6 air brick .Where the tenants couldn't get at them!

With a reasonable level of warmth in the building, proper insulation, a reasonable level of ventilation in the correct locations, and the generation of moisture properly controlled - internal damp, and mould, is never a problem.

 

[opps]

I'll never install this. Seen to many horror stories.


1. Mould was present when the rad was on the wall. As many posters have mentioned the likely cause is living habits/ draping towels on rad.

2. I specifically removed the rad to clean the mould and decorate the wall. The mould is not reappearing after mould removal. I have checked moisture levels and the temperature of the entire wall.

I've attached a pic immediately after removing the rad. Thick mould present on wall.

At a guess, as others have suggested, there may have been wet towels etc stuffed part of the way down the back of the rad. That would have prevented the convection currents rising up past the back of the rad.

Now that you have removed the rad, I would not expect the problem to come back (assuming that you are not going to obstruct the airflow).

Wash it down with fungicidal solution or bleach and just paint over it.

No slight intended, but parts of this thread became a tad confusing, in part because of some of your replies. I have been there before, I failed to explain things clearly and assumed that others would know what I meant. Please accept that as constructive criticism.

Best of luck.

 

[endecotp]

1. Mould was present when the rad was on the wall. As many posters have mentioned the likely cause is living habits/ draping towels on rad.

2. I specifically removed the rad to clean the mould and decorate the wall. The mould is not reappearing after mould removal. I have checked moisture levels and the temperature of the entire wall.

Thank you for finally explaining that.

Edit: one further clarification needed: when the rad was fitted on the wall and the mould was appearing, was the radiator actually turned on?

 

[endecotp]

I'll never install [cavity wall insulation]. Seen to many horror stories.

I think there must be some bit of YouTube algorithm or similar social distraction that is amplifying a story about cavity insulation being useless.

The reality is that it has been used for ~50 years or so with most properties being absolutely fine. I’ve lived in several such houses.

Sure there are walls where it would be problematic, i.e. if the outer skin is leaking and the wall is facing the prevailing wind in an exposed location. But we should (collectively) know where it is OK to use and where it should be avoided. Tell us more about your situation and someone will advise.