How can I clean this mould behind kitchen counters?

NibblyPig

I've bought a house recently and I am getting the kitchen redone and I've ripped out all the existing stuff.

In the corner/edge of the room there is a lot of mould. The kitchen has been there since the house was built 40 odd years ago!

Any idea how to remove it? Do I just spritz on some mould spray and scrub, or is there a better solution cos it looks pretty extensive and has likely been there for ages.

born_again

I'd be tempted to take plaster off & see if there is a damp issue.

Sprays may get it off, with a lot of hard work, but may not sure the problem.

NibblyPig

born_again said:

I'd be tempted to take plaster off & see if there is a damp issue.

Sprays may get it off, with a lot of hard work, but may not sure the problem.

Thanks, if I do remove some plaster what would I expect to see if there is a damp issue?

Eldi_Dos

Get some spray sugar soap, spray it on and leave for a couple of hours then wash off with a dish scourer while wearing gloves.
Problem could have been caused by condensation on pipe.

Emmia

what's on the other side of that wall? that looks like a damp issue which might be related to the pipes in the corner, or possibly as a result of the other side of the wall being wetted, perhaps some cracked mortar or the damp proof course has been breached. Other than the mould, is the wall dry? or moist?

I think I'd want the plaster off, to properly investigate. 

NibblyPig

Emmia said:

what's on the other side of that wall? that looks like a damp issue which might be related to the pipes in the corner, or possibly as a result of the other side of the wall being wetted, perhaps some cracked mortar or the damp proof course has been breached. Other than the mould, is the wall dry? or moist?

I think I'd want the plaster off, to properly investigate. 

It's the corner of the house, so there's just the cavity wall and then the outside.

The wall is bone dry. I will have a poke around outside and try to remove some of the plaster, thanks.

chris_n

What is going on with the floor?  It looks to me as cold outside air is coming through the floor and creating cold spots where everything condenses then mould grows.

NibblyPig

chris_n said:

What is going on with the floor?  It looks to me as cold outside air is coming through the floor and creating cold spots where everything condenses then mould grows.

Could be, there is a channel around the edge of the room, I'll be filling that in once the plumbing has been redone!

FreeBear

NibblyPig said:

chris_n said:

What is going on with the floor?  It looks to me as cold outside air is coming through the floor and creating cold spots where everything condenses then mould grows.

Could be, there is a channel around the edge of the room, I'll be filling that in once the plumbing has been redone!

Assuming this is a concrete floor, just insulate the pipes and don't fill the channel. Cement in contact with copper will corrode it. And if you leave the pipes accessible, maintenance, repairs, & modifications are much easier. As long as there are no draught, the channel is not going to cause a problem.

JohnB47

I've found the HG brand of mould killer/remover sprays really effective and definitely not 'hard work'.

As a 'first go' I'd use that on the mould. Knocking off plaster seems too extreme unless it's actually crumbly and falling off anyway. Take it a step at a time.

prettyandfluffy

NibblyPig said:

Thanks, if I do remove some plaster what would I expect to see if there is a damp issue?

If the plaster's blown, you will know.  It will be soft and crumbly to touch and you will easily be able to pull it off with nothing more than your fingers.  If it IS blown, it needs to come off and the damp issue addressed before you re-plaster.