Mouldy walls!!!!!!

sammy_kaye18

Hi all

I livein a council flat - its ground floor and only single glazed.

We do air the rooms and try our best to remove condensation in the mornigns by wiping windows etc

but this place is unbearable becasue of the mould - i now have a whole wall near enough of my bathroom coated in the stuff. Its all above the window, above the sideboard and it looks disgraceful, its now coming out above my front door - which is open a fair bit in the day for the dog, plus theres mould starting to grow around my skirting in the living room adn bedroom and its in the kitchen cupboards too!!!!- im really concerned it will get into my sons room. Might add too that becasue the windows arent double glazed there is what looks liek mould lumps growing around the window sealent too!!!!

Plus ive been to the council on several occassions adn raised hell adn they saw pictures i took and said they would put us as a priority case - and when i had th eletter for them to come out and mend it the appointment was for 2020!!!!!! and my friend who lives in a very similiar flat just up the road has MS and Lupus and was a top priority case is havign to wait until 2018!!!!!!

I jsut dont know what to do - i know theres lots of mould killers on the market but i have a small child (3 years almost) a jack russell dog with no sense at all to keep away from it, nto alot of money to afford fancy products and am really allergic to most products - dettol im ok with but everythign else brings me out in a burning rash that is liek peeling the skin away and im still recovering from trying to clean the bathroom with a multi purpose cleaner - the only thign i can safely handle is dettol

does anyone have any ideas on people and pet friendly mould killers - i dont mind scrubbing liek a trooper all day as long as the stuff goes.

Toxic_Lemon

Go to the press! Start with your local newspaper and invite them around to take pics and a story. Bet you don't have to wait long for the council to arrive.

Failing that, invite your local Environmental Health officer around to inspect.

Jayar

Agree with Lemon wholeheartedly. No doubt that, with a large amount of very hard work, you could get rid of the darn stuff, but just think of how heartbreaking it would be when it inevitably came back!
Definitely, for the sake of the health of your family, get the local papers and/or Environmental health people involved.
Good luck!

sophiesmum_2

Hi
There is a new directive which councils and other landlords have to comply with that states that all homes have to be fit for living in by 2010 at the latest. This includes stuff like kitchens, bathrooms etc and also what you are describing.
Make enquiiries at your local council or see if you can find out any info from The Housing Corporation which is a regulatory body for social landlords.
I will see if I can find anything relevant for you. I'm sure there must be something legally that you can do.

sophiesmum

flufff

have you tried applying to housing associations?Use grounds your accomodation is unfit.I would be concerned it could affect my childs chest/health so possibly would get a doctor on my side too.
My ex fatherinlaw got rehoused from private landlord to housing association because of damp in his.

iceicebaby

I would get environmental health in for definate! The winter is not even over yet.

Snow_Angel

sammy_kaye18 - I would definitely say get Environmental health involved. Also, go to your local library and find out where your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau is and go and see them immediately. Also possibly visit your GP with your concerns for your son before they become a problem.

Please definitely do something about it NOW though. My bedroom has slight damp and some mild mould and at the moment I am struggling to breathe even just sitting down. I am coughing almost continuously although as my problem isn't so major the de-humidifier seems to be helping my chest - may I add that I am normally a very active person and have never had this problem before now.

Good luck and please keep us all posted - I think you've got a great deal of moral support sitting right here when you need it. :T

lil_me

Honey, you've got a young child in the house, this needs sorting pronto, get onto that council again, could even nudge the health visitor who can in turn nudge the council into getting their backsides in gear! Enviro health, in fact anyone who will listen and call them to get things moving pester, asap!

As for dealing with it for now if you are determined to have a go, after you take photos, Eucalyptus oil removes mould very well I have found, but be careful as essential oils are strong stuff. If you google it you will get more info.

tr3mor

See if you can find/buy a dehumidifier from somewhere. It should help out with the damp problems and you should spend less money on heating.

They work really well, my aunt's bungalow was always cold and damp, they put a dehumidifier in the hall and within a couple of weeks it was lovely.

angelatgraceland

I second the above post. A dehumidifier will help immensely and will control the damp and maybe eventualy eliminate it. I know these cost money, but the stuff you are getting ruined with mould also costs money and your familys health is priceless. My brother just moved into a basement flat and later heard there had been a leak a few months back which had drowned the place. When I went in their I could faintly smell damp and told him to get a dehumidifier. He has been taking out a couple of litres a day but we know it will improve when it dries out thoroughly. Sounds like you would be taking out 4 litres a day! Imagine that! I have one myself for my home which barely has any damp and I wouldnt be without one-this is my second.

pavlovs_dog

your local MP can also be very good at putting the pressure on.

me, i'd tell anyone who'd listen until the council sortt it out