Treating Condensation Damp and Mould in a Pantry

Newnoel

I own a property that I rent out. It is a 1930's bungalow, into which we have recently installed double glazing
The existing tenants moved out last week, and we have discovered that the small pantry off the kitchen is covered in black mould. I have cleaned it all out now. but the question is how do we stop it re-occurring?
The pantry has a small double glazed window with a vent over it. It is usually quite cool in the pantry, as it is on an external wall.
I've owned this property for 15 years, and never had the issue before.
Any pointers on how to treat it to stop it reoccuring would be welcome

Jeepers_Creepers

It needs either venting fully - perhaps with a second vent near the floor to outside (or even from the floor if there's a void under there?) - or else it needs heating, defeating the point of a pantry. It definitely needs the door to the kitchen kept shut except when needed. And that door should be well sealed against draughts - from the warm moist kitchen to the cold pantry.

I'd opt for the former - vent it like there's no tomorrow, but then make sure the door to it is well sealed against draughts. Explain its purpose to any new tenants (or pin a note to the door); it's meant to be cool/cold and dry like a traditional pantry, so the door should be kept shut unless they want to lose heat from the house (no-one will...). Say to treat it like a fridge - keep it shut!

I suspect the previous tenants have been leaving the door open or ajar, and all the cooking steam will have found the coldest surfaces to condense out on - and that's in the pantry.

It might be enough to just draught-proof the door, and for folk to keep it closed except for access.

Jeepers_Creepers

Could they have perhaps stacked the shelves so much that it prevented the walls behind from being vented? A bit like a wardrobe against a cold wall - damp will form as the air currents have been compromised. 

rach_k

Could you fit a door closer to make sure the door can't be left open?

Newnoel

Would it be worth installing a couple of these on the door to keep it closed?
Smith & Locke Surface-Mounted Door Closer White | Surface Mounted Closers | Screwfix.com

twopenny

I had a pantry like that.

When I put the microwave in the corner mould formed at the back, either because of heat or moisture or just because the air couldn't circulate enough.

The same happened when I had the freezer and washing machine in there. The walls at the side and back of the items developed mould.

So much as Jeepers said.

Another factor I think was that originally it was painted with some sort of breathable stuff and when using modern gloss (my Grandfather) and silk emulsion (me) it trapped moisture in the brickwork from outside.

Newnoel

Thanks all for your views on this a few months ago. I installed a self closing device on the door, and have locked the vent as open. Seems to have addressed the issue. 

Thanks again all

Jeepers_Creepers

Good to have an update - thank you. Especially when it's a good one