Damp / mould problem *with muchos PICS!*

[boolie]

I want advice on how to tackle this damp/mould problem. We've had this problem for over a year now.. Ive painted over it in the past but the 'black' keeps coming back. By the way we cant really smell anything. The damp/mould is behind some kitchen units but seems to be going higher. The house is quite old (about 100 years) and there is a cellar. Pictures below with some further explanation.. anyone know how I can fix it?

Pics below with more info, summarised here

PIC 1 - So I've removed the doors from the units here.. you can see the mould / damp
PIC 2 - This is what it looks like with the units removed
PIC 3 - Grill removed from vent
PIC 4 - moisture reading from the blackest part doesnt show any significant reading
PIC 5 - Picture of cavity (taken from inside air vent)
PIC 6- Cellar section directly underneath. In the past I have noticed some water in that hole area in. Not sure where that water comes from because it's raining cats and dogs outside today but it looks pretty dry to me
PIC 7 - Outside section
PIC 8 - Outside section top
PIC 9 - Outside section - roof


PIC 1
So I've removed the doors from the units here.. you can see the mould / damp

PIC 2
This is what it looks like with the units removed

PIC 3
Grill removed from vent

PIC 4
moisture reading from the blackest part doesnt show any significant reading

PIC 5
Picture of cavity (taken from inside air vent)

PIC 6
Cellar section directly underneath. In the past I have noticed some water in that hole area in. Not sure where that water comes from because it's raining cats and dogs outside today but it looks pretty dry to me

PIC 7
Outside section

PIC 8
Outside section - top

PIC 9
Outside section - roof

 

[catlad]

Was it the old toilet originally when the house was built? Looks like the yard wall is creating a cold spot exacerbating the mould in that corner, coupled with the dead air behind the cupboards.

 

[boolie]

Was it the old toilet originally when the house was built? Looks like the yard wall is creating a cold spot exacerbating the mould in that corner, coupled with the dead air behind the cupboards.

no it wasn't the old toilet.. there did used to be an old toilet in another part of the garden (completely separate from the house)

 

[catlad]

Seems a strange room to have in a house! Has it got a stone roof?

 

[boolie]

Seems a strange room to have in a house! Has it got a stone roof?

it used to be a kitchen in the old days.. still is kind of - but the kitchen now extends out in the main room. Also have a tumble dryer in the room which gets a lot of use - which may be causing the problem.

 

[JP_]

Looks like cold condensation mould to me, so foiled backed insulation boards glued in place and boarded over.
And maybe make sure the tumble dryer is vented out properly.

 

[catlad]

Tumble not maybe!

 

[JP_]

I bought a condenser dryer a few years ago, so good - rather than pumping out moist air, it blows out warm dry air. Probably costs more to run, but no risk of condensation problems, and helps warm up cold utility rooms.

 

[boolie]

I'm gonna try relocating the tumble dryer to the cellar - btw it is a condensing one. It does make the kitchen very warm though.

Aside from that gonna treat the mould with mould cleaner and special anti-mould paint. Hopefully that will solve it.

https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-3-in-1-mould-killer-spray/p39347
https://www.toolstation.com/ronseal-6-year-anti-mould-paint-25l/p86512

 

[kingandy2nd]

I'd also be looking at that rear wall and how any moisture could be getting in from there.

 

[JohnD]

is the airbrick blocked?

condensation behind furniture is common when the external wall behind the furniture is not warmed, and damp air can get to it.

this can be prevented either by ventilating to the outside; or by warming the wall.

 

[boolie]

is the airbrick blocked?

condensation behind furniture is common when the external wall behind the furniture is not warmed, and damp air can get to it.

this can be prevented either by ventilating to the outside; or by warming the wall.

no the air brick isn't blocked - heres a picture of it (I did vacuum the spider webs afterwards!

 

[JohnD]

it looks blocked

..apart from those slits.

 

[boolie]

it looks blocked

..apart from those slits.

I see your point - Ive never cleaned it in say 20 years or so! What's the best way to clear it? Should I just give it a good scrape with a chisel ?

 

[JohnD]

airbricks are usually choked with cobwebs and dust. I'd probably hose it from the inside.

If you ever tidy the wall, lay a mortar bed sloping so any water will run outwards. Sometimes, slate offcuts from the DPC are used to prevent it soaking into the bricks.