Can anyone identify the Source of this Mould (pics) and course of action?

united4ever

Hi, we have this mould patch (I am fairly sure that's what it is) and damp wall in our hall which is directly below the bath.

http://imgur.com/oocGCd9

and in the vestibule/entrance too which is again, right under the bath.

http://imgur.com/rEasefV

Outside there is this pipe, which is on the external side of the damp wall. I have never noticed it overflowing/leaking but i suppose it could be.

http://imgur.com/MKCpP44

Here is the corner of the bath, it's siliconed in in the corner. I guess there is possibly a leaking pipe underneath somewhere.

http://imgur.com/c0FttT3

One other thing, we had cavity wall insulation put in a couple of years ago (soon after moving in) and I have heard that this can cause damp problems but the only part of the house with this problem is this corner and it's not heavily exposed to the weather.

I know this needs fixing but don't know where to start, I don't really want to pay a plumber to come out and rip the bath out if it may be something else. On balance a leaking pipe under the bath seems most likely. What do you think it is and What would you do? Who would you contact? By the way, I am in South Manchester if anyone knows someone who may be good:)

I noticed it before but it seems to have got a lot worse over the last few weeks/months.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Carer

Take off the side panel from the bath and look underneath. You'll soon see if there's a leak. Shouldn't be a difficult job, mine just unscrews.

united4ever

Carer wrote: »

Take off the side panel from the bath and look underneath. You'll soon see if there's a leak. Shouldn't be a difficult job, mine just unscrews.

Thanks, it's tiled in on the side the bath so there are no side panels.

DorsetLad

I have to say that the silicone does not look in great condition. Is is firmly attached to both bath and wall tiles? Does it move when you press it?

united4ever

DorsetLad wrote: »

I have to say that the silicone does not look in great condition. Is is firmly attached to both bath and wall tiles? Does it move when you press it?

Not really moves but it's applied very thinly. Maybe I should cut it out and add again. There is some mould too. It's been two years since we moved in and it was sort of done up to sell but maybe not the best quality. But I guess every two years or so you would redo the silicone on something like this anyway.

Tyler_Du

united4ever wrote: »

Not really moves but it's applied very thinly. Maybe I should cut it out and add again. There is some mould too. It's been two years since we moved in and it was sort of done up to sell but maybe not the best quality. But I guess every two years or so you would redo the silicone on something like this anyway.

If you redo it yourself I'd use a tool like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unibond-1582528-UniBond-Sealant-Finishing/dp/B001DZTYG2/ref=pd_lpo_60_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AZC4H4N9ZNZFG9FG4B67

united4ever

Tyler_Durden_UK wrote: »

If you redo it yourself I'd use a tool like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unibond-1582528-UniBond-Sealant-Finishing/dp/B001DZTYG2/ref=pd_lpo_60_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=AZC4H4N9ZNZFG9FG4B67

Cheers, I will welcome all the help I can get so may well buy that. Do you think it could be as simple as the silicone then? Maybe try wiping/cleaning the mould patch, redoing the silicone and see if it comes back? Was hoping to nail it once and for all but I can see that there is no point in taking out the bath unless absolutely necessary.

Thanks

DorsetLad

If it's a small but regular leak (e.g. daily, when the shower is used), it could be the silicone. At least it will not be expensive to redo the silicone to see if it helps. However, the photo of the vestibule shows evidence for what looks quite a large flow of water, which in my opinion is unlikely to be due to faulty silicone. Do you know if the vestibule stains and the ceiling stains appeared at the same time, or is the vestibule stain much older and unrelated to the interior stains?

united4ever

DorsetLad wrote: »

If it's a small but regular leak (e.g. daily, when the shower is used), it could be the silicone. At least it will not be expensive to redo the silicone to see if it helps. However, the photo of the vestibule shows evidence for what looks quite a large flow of water, which in my opinion is unlikely to be due to faulty silicone. Do you know if the vestibule stains and the ceiling stains appeared at the same time, or is the vestibule stain much older and unrelated to the interior stains?

I am not sure to be honest - I only really noticed the vestibule stains recently but that may be me being unobservant.

Going to try the sealant approach and see what happens. If it doesn't work, then breaking tiles and getting a plumber.

phil24_7

Fill the bath at least half way before doing the silicone to allow for any movement in the bath.

united4ever

phil24_7 wrote: »

Fill the bath at least half way before doing the silicone to allow for any movement in the bath.

Cheers, I got round to this today. I cut out the old silicone which involved a lot of cursing. Applied some gel I bought which was supposed to help get the last of the old silicone out...left that to dry for 3 hours but it didn't seem to help much. Then i tried again to get all the silicone out which was a right ballache. Then, filled the bath with water and did the siliconing which was not too bad and far easier than cutting out the old stuff.

Then it was down to the hall to wipe off mould and apply the mould spray on that damp wall. I find this the best product:

http://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/mrs-coopers-best-mrs-coopers-mould-and-mildew-spray-prodst08859i/

letting it dry now and tomorrow will paint over it.

Finally i ordered this bath tap cover: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MS1YR4O/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item

maybe that will be a stupid purchase but I do think the water is leaking down the bath taps so we will see if that stops it getting soaked around the taps.

Then, I guess it's a waiting game. If it doesn't return then job done, if it does then going to break off a couple of tiles and look for a leak underneath/get a plumber (actually called a plumber and he said 9 out of 10 times it's the water getting through the gaps by the bath taps. So following his advice really.