Musty smell/mould in vanity cupboard

[jicms]

Hi
We've recently had a small basin vanity cupboard unit fitted in our new cloakroom. It's developing black mould under the basin and the cupboard smells very musty. There're no leaks. The cupboard has no ventilation which is presumably the problem.
Do you think cutting a hole in the base of the unit where it won't show and inserting a ventilation vent is the answer. I don't want to leave the cupboard open all the time!

 

[JohnD]

you need an extractor fan. It may need to be ducted. You might be able to run it in the loft.

 

[jicms]

you need an extractor fan. It may need to be ducted. You might be able to run it in the loft.

Thanks, but it's just a small downstairs loo. It doesn't have any condensation problems and is well heated, it's just the inside of the cupboard that's unventilated.

 

[TheVictorian]

Is there an extractor fan in your new cloakroom though? There needs to be....

 

[jicms]

No, there's not. There never has been and it has a good size window and radiator. A fan really wouldn't help as the cupboard is completely sealed.

I've tried wiping all the mould off the bottom of the sink with mould remover and will leave the door open for a few days then see if the mould and musty smell returns.

 

[foxhole]

Window is of no help unless it's left open, radiator has no affect on mold.Room should be ventilated as it will always have a fair moisture content.

 

[JohnD]

in humid rooms, condensation, damp and mould often appears first inside and behind furniture which is against unheated walls.

I gather you don't want to add ventilation, so you're stuck with it.

 

[jicms]

It's not moist or humid in any way and never needed an extractor. When the room was refurbished there was a leak into the new cupboard which caused the mould. After it was fixed, cleaned and dried out I failed to notice the black mould covering the underside of the sink. Now that has been treated and has dried out I'm fairly sure it will not reoccur. Just thought I'd ask the best way to vent the vanity cupboard if we need to.

 

[foxhole]

I've heard of people who claim their poo does not stink.

 

[JohnD]

original post:

Hi
We've recently had a small basin vanity cupboard unit fitted in our new cloakroom. It's developing black mould under the basin and the cupboard smells very musty. There're no leaks. The cupboard has no ventilation which is presumably the problem.
Do you think cutting a hole in the base of the unit where it won't show and inserting a ventilation vent is the answer. I don't want to leave the cupboard open all the time!

can anyone see the words "damp caused by a leak" in there?

latest post

It's not moist or humid in any way and never needed an extractor. When the room was refurbished there was a leak into the new cupboard which caused the mould. After it was fixed, cleaned and dried out I failed to notice the black mould covering the underside of the sink. Now that has been treated and has dried out I'm fairly sure it will not reoccur. Just thought I'd ask the best way to vent the vanity cupboard if we need to.