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ex-mould?

I had a leak under my bath that I didn't notice for months. It's now been fixed - back in June - and it all looks like it's dried out (and no damp smell etc).

What there is, though, is a load of white fluffy/sandy stuff.

Is this dead mould? Or not-so-dead and I need to do something otherwise it'll just start growing again come winter when the air gets damper in there?

How do I get rid of it without giving myself pneumonia or something? I'm imagining that if I stick the hoover under there I'm going to end up with it being blown out of the other end and all over me and around my flat and I'll be inhaling spores and God knows what else. Wiping it with bleach makes sense but that'll get it wet again.

Any ideas? Am I making a drama out of nothing?

p.s. Under the bath the walls are breeze blocks and the floor is bare concrete. There are more breeze block bits holding up the bath, and a wooden frame.

Comments

  • BenWASD
    BenWASD Posts: 32 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    I'm no Kim. Hell, I'm not even an Aggie but I'd just wipe it up. Use some generic bathroom/mould cleaner and be done with it. I'd imagine you could dry it off pretty well with kitchen roll or something.
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Snakey wrote: »
    I had a leak under my bath that I didn't notice for months. It's now been fixed - back in June - and it all looks like it's dried out (and no damp smell etc).

    What there is, though, is a load of white fluffy/sandy stuff.

    Is this dead mould? Or not-so-dead and I need to do something otherwise it'll just start growing again come winter when the air gets damper in there?

    How do I get rid of it without giving myself pneumonia or something? I'm imagining that if I stick the hoover under there I'm going to end up with it being blown out of the other end and all over me and around my flat and I'll be inhaling spores and God knows what else. Wiping it with bleach makes sense but that'll get it wet again.

    Any ideas? Am I making a drama out of nothing?

    p.s. Under the bath the walls are breeze blocks and the floor is bare concrete. There are more breeze block bits holding up the bath, and a wooden frame.
    Don't use the hoover just get in there with a cloth soaked in plenty of bleach. I'd use a dust mask if you're worried about breathing anything in.

    It'll dry quick enough. If it's too wet don't you have an old rag you can mop it all up with?
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • casper_g
    casper_g Posts: 1,110 Forumite
    I'd wipe it out with a solution containing bleach etc, then leave the panel off the side of the bath until it's dried out thoroughly afterwards.
  • lisa110rry
    lisa110rry Posts: 1,794 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    What material is it on? Wood or concrete/masonry? If concrete or masonry it is probably just efflorescence, if wood probably mold.

    I found this helpful statement:

    How Can You Tell if You Have White Mold or Efflorescence?

    First, look at the type of material on which you see the white substance. If you see it on anything other than concrete or masonry, it’s mold. Second, spray the substance with a little water in a spray bottle and simply wipe it with a rag. It that removes it, it’s not mold.
    “And all shall be well. And all shall be well. And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.”
    ― Julian of Norwich
    In other words, Don't Panic!
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