Problem in the bathroom... eww

loopyloulou_3

I have got a problem in my bathroom. Over the past couple of months it seems to be really damp after having a shower. Condensation on the walls etc. I have an extractor fan in the ceiling (which sounds as if it is working?!) but the condensation doesnt seem to go away, I have bled the radiator as it needed to be done, and this has helped a little. But now due to the condensation I have had mould appear on the walls, curtain, ceiling, shower curtain, round the seals of the window etc. (tiny spots of mould).

What could the problem be? I have lived there 5 years and never had a problem before, I can't work it out. The only thing I can think that it could be is the extractor not working properly? How can I check?! and what can I do about it? If it isnt the extractor - what else could it be?! I am baffled!

Also any tips for getting the mould off the seals around the window as it seems to have stained them? I have put bleach on and this has helped a little.

Thanks in advance

Loopy x

ariba10

Have a read of this.

http://www.harfordsonline.com/downloads/condensation%20info.pdf

olias

Have you tried cleaning the extractor?

You should be able to take the cover off with a couple of screws. If you haven't tried this yet then you'll probably find it's clogged up with dust and debris. Also look at where it vents outside to make sure that isn't blocked.

Olias

loopyloulou_3

I havent tried cleaning it yet. I did think about unscrewing the extractor yesterday and then got scared!! In case I electricuted myself!!

brig001

You can test the extractor with a piece of A4 paper. Switch it on and hold the paper near the extractor and it should get sucked to the grill.

latecomer

Turn off the power at the mains before taking the cover off. also if you have an isolation swtich you can turn it off there.

Steph998

Extractor fan could be blocked. I always remember a horrible story I heard...probably an urban myth....but I could swear it was the girl above me in the flat when I was at Uni....just have to tell it.... she was lying in the bath and noticed strange things dropping from the fan directly above her into tap end of the bath. They were maggots. When her father came round to investigate, he found a dead bird in the fan...yeeeeeeeuch

Probably not that if there is no smell...sorry to gross you out

Edit: As for the mould stains, have you tried a propriatory mould remover and a toothbrush? Also, if you get Anti Bacterial spray from any supermarket, it inhibits the growth of more mould if you spray it on the sills and shower curtains etc.

loopyloulou_3

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww maggot story a little gross!!

No smell, and no when I put my hand over the extractor it is not sucking at all, almost feels like it is blowing inwards. Odd! Must be the extractor then as never had any damp before and it just seems to have got really bad all of a sudden. Slightly better now have been showering with window open - albeit a little chilly!

Will get dad to operate on extractor at w/e me thinks to save me electricuting myself! LOL

Ta all for your help x