Damp...Causes????

fertyskids

Hi everyone,

i have a question....

i have found in two different places in the house a fine, very fine mold type covering on the walls. in the downstairs toilet on the outside wall, next to the pipe that brings the cold water in for the whole of the house. and again in the dining room on an outside wall. nothing is up against these walls at all. it starts at the skirting board and goers about a 3rd of the way up the wall. it washes off easily. ive never had it before. im in a newish house, 17yrs old. wooden double galzing and i air the rooms daily. i actually sleep with windows open a tiny bit in the bedrooms. ive also found the same thing on the ceilings of the bedrooms in the four corners of the house, but not in any other places. i dont dry washing indoors, i try to keep boiling pans covered. etc.

any ideas of what might be causing this. i have checked outside causes to the best of my ability, guttering, damp course etc.

thanks so much karen

ormus

the toilet is almost certainly caused by condensation on the cold feed pipe. insulating the pipe will help or cure it.
the dining room could be a number of things. water/damp from outside the wall is the number one cause.

fertyskids

Thanks Ormus.

i will tell hubby about the pipe. ive looked everywhere i can think of outside. i cant see anything on the wall or even near it. but i will loook again. any ideas about the ceilings...

could all this be condensation, although nothing on the windows ever, and can condensation start at the very bottom of a wall?

foxxymynx

It sounds like condensation - which ultimately means that there's not enough ventilation (by whatever means - windows being tightly shut all the time, or not enough air vents etc) Also you may want to try using a dehumidifier.

To get rid of it used dettol mould remover. Much better than the other stuff

27col

Condensation is not caused by lack of ventilation, it is caused by lack of heat. But I do suggest that you insulate the water pipe anyway. Ventilation just lets in more cold air to allow more condensation to form. I know that it can be expensive , but just having a low wattage bulb burning would probably be enough. If the toilet is accessed though the house then leaving the door open to allow some heat into the room might also be enough.

fertyskids

Hi Again,

thanks Foxxymynx yes i think your right it must be condensation. although none on the windows. i used diluted bleach that seemed to work but if it comes back i may well try the dettol.

there is a huge radiator in the dining room on the opposite side of the room and the room is narrow. 6ft or so. also a radiator in the toilet although a lot smaller.

well i will keep an eye on all my walls for a while i think it is a bit worrying.

thanks again for your help
Fertyskids.