Mould on Bathroom Ceiling

Bigphil1474

OP, we don't have an extraction fan in our bathroom, but have the bathroom window open all the time from about March until maybe October, then only close it when we are using the bathroom over winter. We sometimes get mould patches in the winter (maybe 15-20 circles of mould), especially if the kids visit and don't open the window after showering. I usually just give it a dab and clean with bleach and it is gone for another year. AFAIK, there is no insulation above the bathroom ceiling as it's an old house and access there is nigh on impossible. 

The mould problem did improve after I repainted the bathroom ceiling a few years ago. From what I can remember I put some sort of anti mould coating over standard bathroom ceiling paint. Before that, the mould did seem to built up quite quick over winter.

JPin

Is it possible to adjust the timer on the fan? It turns on with the light switch (pulley chord)  and turns off ten minutes after the light is turned off.

theoretica

How cool/warm is your bathroom?  To reduce the condensation on the ceiling you want the damp air to be removed as soon as possible, which you have been working on, but also want the ceiling to be warm.  If you have the heating off and window open all day then the room and ceiling may be cold when you come to shower.  If you had the window usually closed so the room and ceiling warmed up, and then opened the window when you most need airflow, that might actually help matters.

Also not soaking the bathroom through may help - if you drip in the shower the water goes down the drain.  If you drip on the bathmat more of it stays in the room.

JPin

theoretica said:

How cool/warm is your bathroom?  To reduce the condensation on the ceiling you want the damp air to be removed as soon as possible, which you have been working on, but also want the ceiling to be warm.  If you have the heating off and window open all day then the room and ceiling may be cold when you come to shower.  If you had the window usually closed so the room and ceiling warmed up, and then opened the window when you most need airflow, that might actually help matters.

Also not soaking the bathroom through may help - if you drip in the shower the water goes down the drain.  If you drip on the bathmat more of it stays in the room.

It's generally mild but can be very damp after a shower.

daivid

Cillit Bang black mould remover is really effective a bit pricey but does the job. Take care not to get any on you or on clothes/fabric you care about

Marvqn1

JPin said:

The ceiling is virtually impossible to clean and I have painted the ceiling on multiple occasions with bathroom ceiling paint to no avail, is there anything else I can do?

What have you tried so far to clean the ceiling?

sevenhills

JPin said:

Hi,

I have been having issues for years now with mould on the bathroom ceiling. The batroom window is open most of the time, there is a functioning extractor fan that automatically comes on when the shower is on and reamins on for about 10 minutes afterwards but none of this helps.

The ceiling is virtually impossible to clean and I have painted the ceiling on multiple occasions with bathroom ceiling paint to no avail, is there anything else I can do?

You seem to be saying that the mould comes back, not that you cannot clean it? The window needs to be open more, or more heating to dry the bathroom.

Emmia

Personally I find white vinegar, applied with a sponge (to prevent drips) more effective than bleach at killing/ removing black mould. 

However, DO NOT mix a solution of white vinegar and bleach thinking it will be mega effective - as I believe that creates chlorine gas!

Zinsser Perma White is fantastic paint - which I've used to great effect.

But really you need a decent fan with a humidstat, which will run irrespective of whether the light is on or not, if the humidity goes over a certain level.

JPin

I have tried in the past white vinegar and then paint but all to no avail. 

Emmia

JPin said:

I have tried in the past white vinegar and then paint but all to no avail. 

Which paint?

Bog standard Dulux/Crown/etc. won't cut it  - but if you've got mould you have dampness, so you need to fix that and an extractor with a humidstat or cracking the window permanently open (if possible) is the route.