Help with black mould please

rachelandgromit

Hi

Live in a detached bungalow built in 1991. Never experienced problems in summer, but in last month or two (wet, cold weather), started to get black mould around all UPVC windows (the walls) and in paticular, areas of the bathroom, and the bedroom has a 'musty' smell to it.

The bathroom, I can put down to our very hot, steamy baths and that we don't have much ventilation in here and I keep forgetting to open the window
However, I'm not sure what is causing it elsewhere. The guttering isn't blocked, there is no water leaks (I've been up the loft) and I try and keep away furniture from the outside wall. I know the bungalow doesn't get much ventilation as we both work long hours and I've noted the last few nights when it has been really cold, when I wake up and turn my mobile phone alarm off, the screen on it is practically wet. The heating is on a timer, but only on for limited amount of time. There are no airbricks in the house and I'm thinking that getting perhaps one of those fancy sliding ones put in may help, even if it's just in the bedroom and bathroom problem areas. What do people think? Is there anything else I am missing?

Rachel

rachelandgromit

Oh and I don't dry washing in the house (we have a tumble dryer), new guttering was done with the windows 2 years ago, including all UPVC cladding too and A rated condensing boiler and adequate loft insulation.

scheming_gypsy

Deleted my last message because I didn't even read the question,.......

rachelandgromit

Thanks, I will try that. Ironically the sealer around the bath is OK, although I regularly using baking soda to clean this and I've used the vinegar method before. The bedroom cannot be good though... especially as one as us is asthmatic. I really think I may need an airvent!

ariba10

Condensation. Have a read of these two sites.

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

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/structu/ae1204w.htm

rachelandgromit

Have just read the info on those two links. Seems like I need to 1. Get an airbrick/some ventilation and 2. Get a dehumidifier. Hopefully the airbrick/vent will allow more air into the house, particularly in the bedroom and bathroom which are the problem areas, and the dehumidifer generally will help. Will ask on my local freecycle.

How do you sort an airbrick/vent. Is it a big job?

Rachel

ariba10

You might find that the dehumidifier alone will do the job.

rachelandgromit

I've put an ad on our local freecycle, hopefully I'll get some response. To be honest I'd prefer for the dehumidifier not to be a long term option. If the airbricks will sort it out, I'd like to get these done too. The bedroom is bad, it smells really fusty (in here at the moment). Noticed it on the corner of the ceiling yesterday but guttering isn't blocked. Not a happy bunny.........

Norman_Castle

The bathroom, I can put down to our very hot, steamy baths and that we don't have much ventilation in here and I keep forgetting to open the window

Remembering to close the bathroom door and open the window until the room is dry will be the easiest option. Damp air from the bathroom can move into other rooms and cause condensation in them.

savemoney

You need to open the windows moisture for washing/drying has to go some where either through open window, or condense on a window, outside wall where its cold. Best thing is to get a extractor fan for bathroom and or also use a dehumidifier around £25-£60 ish plus electrician charge. No wonder you have issues if you dont ventilate. Unless you do what was suggested you will always get this problem when its cold outside

Spiggle

We have two bedrooms occupied at night. When it was cold (heavy frost) for a few days before Christmas, one room had the windows open and one had them shut. The windows in the bedroom that were shut were covered from top to bottom in condensation the next morning. Large bath sheet soaked after clearing that up. No condensation in the bedroom where the windows were open. The next night both rooms had open windows, heavy frost again, no condensation in either room. You must open windows and ventilate the rooms. If you are out all day then open the windows before you leave and close as soon as you get home when your heating comes on. Then open the window again when you go to bed.

You simply can't 'forget' to open the bathroom window after showering or bathing, it is essential.

Extractor fans, dehumidifiers and the like will all help to ease the problem now. For the future though you must open your windows.

ETA: Just reread and realised you're in a bungalow so probably why you wouldn't open your windows in the daytime. Invest in window locks that allow locking in open position or at the very least put the windows into the vent position if you are concerned about security. We live in a detached bungalow BTW but still leave top opening windows open while at work.

HTH,
Spigs