Mold possibly from sealant around bath

garethjwelsh

Hi Guys,
The wife noticed the other day light green mold on the bedroom wall with some damp patches. That wall adjoins the bathroom, and on inspection it seems the sealant around the bath was a bit moldy and not fully sealed! There doesn't seem to be any wet patches or cracks downstairs, which makes me think it isn't a leak.

Working on the theory that water was getting into those holes and causing the damp patches (the bath is right up against the wall) I put new silicon sealant around the bath. (if anyone has another working theory that'd be fine!)

Few questions - How long should it take for in the wall to dry out? If it is another issue causing these patches, like a leak, is it worth going through the insurance company? Changing the sealant without consulting them shouldn't invalidate anything?

Any insight would be appreciated, hoping this is a small issue, and not the start of a big problem (2 months into owning the house...)!

Thanks

spadoosh

Hard to think youd get enough water from the gaps in the sealant to penetrate the wall unless its been going on for a very long time.

Initial thoughts would be that it was condensation (guessing its a used bedroom?) and opening windows would likely resolve this.

Youd need to do some exploratory work to find out the exact nature of the problem.

A few questions.

Assuming its not an exterior wall?

Assuming no windows on that wall?

Assuming there is nothing above that could be wetting the wall (water tank in loft etc)?

If its no to all above then id definitely be leaning more towards condensation and improving air flow in the house.


Damp for the most part isnt 'major' or to be as feared as much as it is. The hardest part is always finding the source.

garethjwelsh

Hi spadoosh,

Thanks for the quick reply, appreciated.

The wall is in our main bedroom, it is internal, there are no windows. Water tank is not in the loft, but I will go and double check there isn't anything else up there that could be leaking.

The gaps in the sealant could have been there for a few months if not longer. The bath was already in when we moved in, so don't know how it was constructed, but I assume it will be butting right up against the wall, which made me consider the leak as the cause.

The patches of mold were behind a chest of drawers and a washing basket, so that could lend itself to the condensation theory.

I guess I will open some windows (only two small ones at the top in the bedroom), wait till the sealant dries and see if when we use the bath and shower again if it returns. If it comes back I should probably get someone to do some exploring.

spadoosh

Yeh if its from behind objects almost certainly condensation.

Youre just not ever going to get enough of spillage from a few gaps in the sealant, unless its more or less non existent. What maybe 2 baths a day, the location would mean maybe a couple of drips seep through, theres probably more damage from the steam the bath lets off.

Bleach and water and give it a good scrub to get rid of the mould then keep your house well ventilated. Have a look behind any radiors to see if theres any vents, makes sure any vent there are arent blocked up. If you have them on windows, always keep them open and even just a slit in the window should reduce condensation issues.