What's happening to my wall? strange device on wall?

auto201477 · 26 November 2008 at 11:43PM

Hello everyone!

Hope everyone is in the best of health. This is my first post on this board.

Can someone please have a look at the pictures below. I hope the links work. The pictures are from my bedroom. Does anyone recognise this?

<a href="http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/?action=view&current=PB230001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/PB230001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/?action=view&current=PB230001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/PB230001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/?action=view&current=PB230001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/PB230001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/?action=view&current=PB230001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp197/auto201477/PB230001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

There is also a strange appliance bolted on the wall. There are no company markings or logo. No model number. When you switch it on, you can hear some sort of fan inside. There is some peeled duct tape on the bottom and there is some cold air coming out of it. There was a similar device in a room downstairs (living room). A relative of mine took it off and threw it in the garden. The inside of it has some black sooty stuff.

Can someone please shed some light on to this. What is this black sooty stuff? I have a feeling this is causing some health problems in our house. Will building insurance cover this?

Thanks in advance!

Doozergirl · 26 November 2008 at 11:49PM

It looks like black mould to me, often caused by condensation build up. I don't recognise the appliance but wonder if, from the sound of what it does, it's something that brings air into the property to circulate and, erm, prevent condensation build up? The black sooty stuff inside could just be dirt from the air, or more of the black mould, just dry

That vinyl wallpaper won't be doing anything to help the wall 'breathe' as it were.

Not being funny, but if it's your house, why don't you know what the box is?

Antispam · 26 November 2008 at 11:51PM

Its probably condensation as its usually happens in corners or under windows on outside walls

The appliance could be a storage heater they usually run on economy tariff

Best thing is to strip wallpaper off, wash down with mold killer, let dry for a few days and open window hopefully on a dryish sunny day.

You could then line with polystyrene wallpaper which acts as a bruidge doesnt stop teh wosre codnensation but cna help. Wallpaper again and maybe paint

preventing condensation

1. open that air ventilation in one of the photo
2. increase heat in the room
3. Get a dehumidifier
4. Open windows when you shower/cook

Building insurance will not cover condensation its down to how you live your life, I can almost guarantee that is condensation

hamstercheeks_2 · 26 November 2008 at 11:56PM

OMG! that is bluddy awful

is it rented accomm?

if so get ur landlord onto that straight away

it is dampness and can certainly cause asthma

does it smell?

Doozergirl · 27 November 2008 at 12:00AM

It won't cause asthma. It might exacerbate an existing condition but it isn't a 'cause'.

Antispam · 27 November 2008 at 12:04AM

Mold may cause breathing problems if its bad it will have to be worse than what I see above and believe me I see a lot worse, mouldy clothes, furniture walls etc

Either way it can be fixed the sooner you get down to it the better

http://www.polycell.co.uk/products/polycell_mould_killer.html

ariba10 · 27 November 2008 at 12:13AM

It is condensation caused by there being moist air in the room.

You need to ventilate to change the air and/or use a dehumidifier.

hamstercheeks_2 · 27 November 2008 at 12:14AM

http://www.asthma.org.uk/all_about_asthma/asthma_triggers_az/moulds_fungi.html

Antispam · 27 November 2008 at 12:17AM

I got bronchitis from mould so it can make you seriously ill if it gets bad, I also have asthma didnt have it as a child only when in my 30's

Airwolf1 · 27 November 2008 at 12:41AM

An insurance claim would probably be deemed invalid, due to the appearance, i.e., for it to be like this it must have been happening for a period of time, and not an instant event.

27col · 27 November 2008 at 6:53PM

The strange objects look like fan heaters. It is possible that they are storage heaters with a fan assist. Or they they could be just straight heaters. Either way they have not been switched on for a long time, thus the build up of condensation and mould. No amount of ventilation is going to improve the situation, without the application of some heat.
Some background information about your house and situation might improve the flow of ideas. A picture of your meter and consumer unit would tell us a bit more.
You seem to have little idea of what you have. Is this because you have just moved in?

What's happening to my wall? strange device on wall?

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