Mould in rented flat

Gorgeous_George

cg1982 wrote: »

i got mould but its rising damp so they got to insulate the walls

You got mould? I think you need a damp proof course. A carrier bag in your wellies might do the trick - Mr Rossiter.

GG

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

When I moved here I had fitted wardrobes built on an outside wall.The first winter I had mouldy clothes.My own fault as I had stupidly kept the windows and doors shut as that room never got used.After cleaning inside with Polycell mould cleaner,I put those damp crystals every metre along the base of the insides of the wardrobes.I also kept the window open on night lock and the bedroom door slightly ajar.I've not had any mould since and all my clothes are fine.

caroline1973lefty

i had the same problem in my last flat and agree that it is usually condensation / inadequate ventilation. in old houses they are designed to have been ventilated with open chimney breasts but these have often been blocked up. i ended up with mould on my clothes and my bed (eurgh!).

the landlord put airbricks in, which helped - though it did make it slightly more draughty, it was worth it. i also realised that i had too many clothes in my wardrobe so they were all jammed in and the air couldn't circulate, so i made an effort to change this. but i don't know that drying clothes on the radiator made much difference it is more to do with the air we exhale in my opinion!

scat

Also rent, also had the wardrobe/condensation issue. Had a two year battle trying to get the landlady to authorise my removing the ruddy wardrobe! The wall behind it was painted yesterday. Feels wonderful to finally be rid of an ugly mouldy wall! Bought my own wardrobe and have placed it against a nice warm internal wall. Honestly you'ld think landlords would have more sense....

bomber2

skintandscared wrote: »

My old flat was built about 20 years ago and the ventilation was pathetic, but apparently complied with the building regs at the time. Anyone with wooden wardrobes found the back of them mouldy in no time. I bought a dehumidifier and if I opened all doors and left it running in the hallway, it kept the whole flat dry. You can buy pots of absorbant crystals that draw moisture from the air which can be put in the oven, dried out and re-used over and over again. I would also leave small windows open whenever at home, to increase ventilation.

where would i be able to buy some absorbant crystals.

bristol_pilot

bomber2 wrote: »

where would i be able to buy some absorbant crystals.

Woolworths, but you'd better be quick !

bristol_pilot

This site gives a useful table indicating how much moisture is put into the air by various normal household activities:

http://www.buildingpreservation.com/Condensation.htm

It is clear that carrying out laundry (washing or drying clothes) inside a flat puts the most moisture into the atmosphere. No amount of absorbent crystals will deal with this - you need to stop doing laundry indoors. Also ensure that the window of the bathroom is left open after taking a shower/bath, ideally overnight. If you still have condensation problem after doing both those things then I would say get a dehumidifier, they are not too expensive and extract a lot of water that can then be used in an iron. Those absorbent crystals are OK for placing in wardrobes etc but will not dehumidify a whole flat efficiently.

olly300

bomber2 wrote: »

where would i be able to buy some absorbant crystals.

Wilkinsons

Robert Dylas

B & Q

Homebase

olly300

bristol_pilot wrote: »

This site gives a useful table indicating how much moisture is put into the air by various normal household activities:

http://www.buildingpreservation.com/Condensation.htm

It is clear that carrying out laundry (washing or drying clothes) inside a flat puts the most moisture into the atmosphere. No amount of absorbent crystals will deal with this - you need to stop doing laundry indoors.

Not practical in this country due to the weather particularly if you live in a flat that doesn't have access to an outside space. Also not all clothes can be tumble dried.

However there are measures you can take to limit the amount of water vapour released - spin the clothes at the highest speed, dry one load at a time, open all air bricks, open all trickle vents, open small windows and put the heating on.

The original issue is with the fitted wardrobes which is due to their location and construction. I've lived in places with condensation problems but due to either not having fitted wardrobes or the modern fitted wardrobes not being on external walls I have not suffered from rotten clothes.

loulou41

Thanks for all your advice. I wonder what are her rights as a tenant? She has lost £500 in ruined clothes & had to be binned but she has taken some photos. She has got mould on the other wall as well and on the window, this seems to be contained only in the bedroom she sleeps. Looking at the photos she sent me the walls do not look too bad but the clothes and the shoes look disgusting. I think she will be reluctant to use that wardrobe again. Will she be able to ask for some compensation from the EA, it's the EA who is managing the flat? I told her it does hurt to ask and she has to be firm. She has had nothing but problems since she moved in, first washer dryer, then boiler & central heating and the last straw this mouldy business. Thanks