Damp vs Condensation all over

LushesFaith

I am currently renting an end terrace. its a housing association.

Over a year ago they did some remedial work for the damp which they called condensation based on pictures only. its Black mould damp. Anyway. For the most they did what we had been doing already. Bleaching down the walls and in some cases the ceiling.

2 main places that have issues are bathroom. ceiling and outside wall. They added extra insulation over areas they felt had gaps to try remove cold spots. The black mould tends to be in lines. There is also mould by two walls near the toilet one has the window there. Window is open as often as possible and air vent runs plus speeds up when light switch is turned on

Bedroom mould is on the outside walls only. As they had previously used a "stronger" bleaching product than what we buy in the shops. We decided to strip the bedroom wallpaper. Its the one you paint on. We discovered there was holes by the window and all over. We filled in the holes using the correct stuff. Even in the corners of the ceiling we filled in any holes etc. We put up brand new wallpaper and painted.

Within 1 week the mould came back - black almost immediately - the landlord is telling me to bleach the walls down again for 8 weeks airing the rooms out daily using the heating to help dry the rooms out - then if it does not improve to call them back and they will then send out an inspector.

Is this a normal response?
I keep getting earaches and wonder if this is why plus I have kids in primary school too.

The battle of the mould and the bleach is one we have not yet won. any ideas suggestions - what should I say when I call them back in 8 weeks or should I call them back now.

martinthebandit

How often do you have windows open, how many and how long for?

AnotherJoe

Obviously bleach is only masking a symptom. You need to discover the cause.
Do you have any windows open or is everything hermetically sealed?
Do you dry washing inside?
Do you open bathroom window after a shower / bath?
Is there an extractor fan?
Have you tried repapering the interior outside walls with a underlying insulation layer first?
Maybe you need a dehumdifier. They arent that expensive £100-£200.

LushesFaith

martinthebandit wrote: »

How often do you have windows open, how many and how long for?

Bathroom window depending on whether can be open for half a day. The air vent is on throughout the day as the kids leave the light on constantly anyway. When we shower the window is opened if its closed.

Bedroom window is open for shorter period of time, but mainly evening.

I don't time it

LushesFaith

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Obviously bleach is only masking a symptom. You need to discover the cause.
Do you have any windows open or is everything hermetically sealed?
Do you dry washing inside?
Do you open bathroom window after a shower / bath?
Is there an extractor fan?
Have you tried repapering the interior outside walls with a underlying insulation layer first?
Maybe you need a dehumdifier. They arent that expensive £100-£200.

We do have extractor fan - I have been calling it a vent
Bathroom window is opened the most in the house. Kitchen window always open when cooking. Bathroom window opened during showers and a bit after plus extractor vent thing is switched on

What is an underlying insulation layer. We already stripped back the old wallpaper and re wallpapered and painted -

I have been looking into dehumidifiers, just need to find an affordable one for me as will need at least 2 or 3

Hou

A little tip, go to B&Q and buy a product called HG Mold Spray, it is fantastic stuff, spray it on and leave for half house and most mold vanishes. We have just used it in our bathroom, it should hopefully stop it coming back for a while

AnotherJoe

LushesFaith wrote: »

What is an underlying insulation layer. We already stripped back the old wallpaper and re wallpapered and painted -

I have been looking into dehumidifiers, just need to find an affordable one for me as will need at least 2 or 3

Underlying insulation layer comes in rolls like wallpaper and the idea is it goes between the wall and the wallpaper and acts as an insulator. You'll find it in any big DIY store. I used some cheap stuff at a fiver a roll or so from B&Q or similar on one interior exterior bedroom wall that was always much colder (no damp or condensation though), on googling I see you can also get "Wallrock Thermal Liner" which is 10x the price and I'd hope better than the cheapo stuff. You put it on exactly like wallpaper (and easier as there's no pattern to match !) Never usedthe wallrock stuff myself.

re the dehumidifier I would expect would pay for itself in not rewallpapering and in cleaning solutions. Though if i did rewallpaper that room you have the issue with I'd definitely put some sort of liner on first anyway. Have a google & good luck.

adindas

Hou wrote: »

A little tip, go to B&Q and buy a product called HG Mold Spray, it is fantastic stuff, spray it on and leave for half house and most mold vanishes. We have just used it in our bathroom, it should hopefully stop it coming back for a while

Are you aware that Mold is entirely different with Damp / Condensation ??

LushesFaith

Hou wrote: »

A little tip, go to B&Q and buy a product called HG Mold Spray, it is fantastic stuff, spray it on and leave for half house and most mold vanishes. We have just used it in our bathroom, it should hopefully stop it coming back for a while

I will get some.

Hou

adindas wrote: »

Are you aware that Mold is entirely different with Damp / Condensation ??

Not really, I know little about mould, but the OP said "The battle of the mould and the bleach is one we have not yet won" which is why i am suggesting a different product to just using bleach as it is easier to use. Surely anything to make it easier while the battle with the LL is ongoing is helpful?

theartfullodger

You must write to housing association following their repair reporting process e.g. (your will be different).
http://www.lqgroup.org.uk/services-for-residents/your-home/repairs-and-maintenance/