Mould

[mutley racers]

Evening chaps. I am looking after a flat for some friends and recently with the new tenants there has been huge mould issues on all external walls in bedrooms and bathroom. So am wondering if you guys have had any experience with it and have come up with a solution. I know with the tenants, they are keeping all windows closed constantly and so ventilation is non existent. I keep asking them 2 open the windows but as it is a ground floor flat, they say it is unsafe. Also, they say it is pointless as you lose the heat. Now this was happening really badly in the bathroom until i got a vent axia installed. Below are pictures from the job



I guess those heat recovery fan things are not cheap?

 

[SimonG]

Condensation caused by poor ventilation. Ventilation is the key. Had a cupboard upstairs do exactly the same.

 

[Best]

Tenants seem to create mould. Most of them are drying clothes on the cheap by putting wet clothes on or near rads & not opening windows. Some foreigners are not used to British climate & just cook & dry clothes without any vents opened.
I notice the window in the photograph has trickle vent on it, but obviously not helping much.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Some sort of heat recovery ventilation would do the trick.

 

[mutley racers]

yep that's what I keep telling the my mate. he is after a solution though. You're correct, trickle vents not doing a thing. i asked the tenants to get some of that mildew cleaner stuff and if mould does start popping up, spray it asap. They don't believe they should have to!

 

[PlumbBobBob]

well they will keep on having mould problems then.

 

[townfanjon]

Blimey, apart from being unsightly that's rather unhealthy too. The mould needs to be scrubbed off cleaned off etc as it will encourage more mould to grow. Theres lots of products available. Yes as said condensation will help no end but the mould is growing down to the surface temperature of the wall being at condensation dew point, so potentially more heat is required. As best says if they are drying towels in there its going to get worse, I hope there isnt young kids in there or they are going to need a season ticket down the health center

 

[snowhead]

Portable Dehumidifier, or another fan in the wall in the worst area.

 

[Irish]

I had similar job in a flat I refurbed for guy in Twickenham, mould all over the wall, solid oak floor rose up 4" of the floor with all the moisture ,I fitted high level and low level 5" vents with baffles in every room problem solved

 

[lame plumber]

get decent tenants who use the heating and open the windows, its the only way to keep mould at bay.