Need help dealing with moldy rooms

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I'm another had this problem when I moved into a realy old property and mine cleared by firstly leaving the windows open throughout the day.
You need to do this even in the winter for at least an hour a day,infact especially so as you'll have a lot of moisture build up due to artificial heat.
I know you are having to let any heat out but its either that or get loads of mould.
Sadly you can't have it both ways.
Personally I'd rather be chilly for an hour everyday than have mouldy rooms and you can do it while you're keeping busy so you don't feel the chill so much.
Also we run a dehumidifyer every few days that works a treat.
We only need to use it every few days now because after five years here we've managed to get the moisture levels quite stable.
Do hope you get your problem under control,I know how frustrating it is.

broodylass_2

Thanks for all the replies

I couldn't believe the amount of black mould I got rid of from just cleaning the frames of the windows...hiding in the black seals, etc. There was loads around the edges of the window openings too (I asked DH to clean the windows last time as I was heavily preg...think he must've just tickled them with a dry cloth and called it job done!)

Will definitely keep windows open more for ventilation at front and back of house. Still got walls to scrub with weak bleach but that'll have to wait until tomorrow or it won't have time to dry before I gotta close windows again for the night.

martinthebandit

This time of year its a good idea to leave as many windows open as possible overnight, even if they are only open slightly, on the security latch they still enable the house to breathe.

seabright

You need to get to the bottom of what's causing the problem, otherwise you are only treating the symptoms, not curing the problem.

Is a gutter/drain pipe blocked? Have any roof slates gone? Has your damp proof course failed? Has an underground pipe/drain cracked?

You will needs specialists for some jobs, but better to get the underlying problem fixed

greenbee

chrissie_bond wrote: »

We too get condensation in our house, I find it the worst thing to deal with.

Last year we used a dehumidifier for the first time which did improve it but did not solve it completely. Surely though, if you use a dehumidifier the windows have to be closed?

Yep ... Switch the dehumidifier off when the windows are open. I also put plugs in the basins/bath and put the lid down on the loo. I now have an extractor in the bathroom which i hope will make a difference... But I still have metal windows so I know it won't solve it!

Having my patio dug out so that it is below the damp course has made a HUGE impact, as has putting in a wood stove which means that the core of the house is heated gently via the chimney as designed, particularly at times of year i don't use the heating. And windows are open whenever possible and for as long as possible (although the spiders are taking advantage at the moment!).

kippers

seabright wrote: »

You need to get to the bottom of what's causing the problem, otherwise you are only treating the symptoms, not curing the problem.

Is a gutter/drain pipe blocked? Have any roof slates gone? Has your damp proof course failed? Has an underground pipe/drain cracked?

You will needs specialists for some jobs, but better to get the underlying problem fixed

We had several different people in to check for damp and they all said the same that it wasn't rising damp or any other problems, it was just plain old condensation that apparently older houses suffer from. I suppose it was best to check though.

Now when i walk down my road on a winters day i look and you can see the condensation on most windows, some houses worse than others.

broodylass_2

Well I never knew my windows had a security setting! I've been too scared to leave them all open in the past in case the kids went climbing. While scrubbing the window frames yesterday I discovered the security setting...thanks Martin I wouldn't have even questioned what it was if it wasn't for your comment!

I went around this morning mopping up condensation off the windows. I'm pretty sure we've got roof tile and guttering issues too. At back of house I can hear it dripping onto flat roof of utility roof during/after rain and at the front of house (where my bedroom is) there was a lot of staining on the guttering that the window cleaner said was due to a broken/missing tile...?

Also my DH works nights so a lot of the time the bedroom is in use and curtains & windows closed. This is the worst room for the mould...think I've found out what I need to do to help get rid of it!!!

Thank you so much everyone

debbiedeejay

I have similar problems in my old terraced house too - definately extractor in bathroom helps as mine has no window in there - opening windows whatever the time of year - I also use a dehumidifier on a regular basis plus similiar tips to all others - they do work its just a matter of getting into a routine of doing them.

Might be worth checking freegle as they do occasionaly pop up on there especially if people are moving to newer properties or downsizing and no longer use them.

Good Luck

quizzy_rascal

I have waged a battle against black mold for years, I think we have stopped any new patches developing by having double glazing fitted last year and following the steps suggested in the previous posts, but the blasted stuff seemed to be embedded in the wallpaper in our bedroom and dispite repeated purges with bleach and every brand of mold killer going it has taken redecorating the bedroom to stop it coming back. There is an antifungicide in wallpaper paste and I wonder if the continued action of that, is what keeps it at bay rather than applying a treatment (such as bleach) that evaporates after use.

And if you needed an excuse to get your other half to decorate (I know I certainly do) there you have it. Its good for your health.

newlywed

We have one of those air venting systems.... and still have mold!! We also always leave windows open.

We have recently moved all the furniture (wardrobes, sofa, chest of drawers etc) an inch or so away from the walls to allow air to circulate, bleached the walls and in some places applied anti mold paint. So far it's stopped the mold coming back.

Bit annoying when stuff drops down the gap but the mold's been better.