Mouldy Kitchen Wall

Bachistricky

Can anyone suggest a way to eliminate mould on one particular wall. The damp is not coming from above or below, methinks it is general kitchen use. I have tried the mould remover but it comes back.
Do I need new plaster, dry lined walls or any other suggestion would be helpful. Thanks

M.Lynch

I dont know but I have the same problem in the kitchen, where damp is forming in the middle of the ceiling. I thought that it might be from steam coming from the oven, but it is not happening directly above this area. I thought perhaps the steam was finding its way to the weakest (less insulated) part of the ceiling.

Jimmy_M

answer is usually;
more ventilation.

M.Lynch

Yeh I actually think we have vents covered up by pebble dashing around the house.

Jimmy_M

M.Lynch wrote: »

Yeh I actually think we have vents covered up by pebble dashing around the house.

Short term solution is leave the widows open as much as possible - but you should really get the vents sorted.
Have you flat roof extension by any chance??

M.Lynch

Yeh have an extension done alright. 30 degree pitch I think, so not a flat roof.

Jimmy_M

M.Lynch wrote: »

Yeh have an extension done alright. 30 degree pitch I think, so not a flat roof.

K - it would be unusual to have mould on the lower ceiling of a 2 storey.

Its basic enough - it happens when moisture from hot air condenses on cold surfaces and doesnt get a chance to dry out.
So you're right about your ceiling - its prob where there is no insulation above - if everywhere else is ok - insulating alone might get you out.

And OP's wall is more than likely an outside facing wall.

M.Lynch

We have a bungalow. Yeh the problem is that herself never wants to open windows as shes afraid of things coming in :-)

Jimmy_M

haha - have the same problem in my own house

MicktheMan

Bachistricky wrote: »

Can anyone suggest a way to eliminate mould on one particular wall. The damp is not coming from above or below, methinks it is general kitchen use. I have tried the mould remover but it comes back.
Do I need new plaster, dry lined walls or any other suggestion would be helpful. Thanks

Mould remover won't solve the problem as it doesn't address the source of the problem.
Dry lining will only hide and exasperate the problem.

A combination of
1. less moisture in the air,
2. warmer structure and
3. better (more appropriate) ventilation
will reduce / eliminate the issue.

Bachistricky

Thanks for the feedback everybody. Just to say that my wall has a vent which was open.

Would anyone know could the plaster (which is old) contribute to this problem?

( And by the way I have found that bleach and alittle washup liquid is better than mould remover.)

Jimmy_M

Bachistricky wrote: »

Would anyone know could the plaster (which is old) contribute to this problem?

Cant imagine it would, once its been cleaned. But im open to correction on that.

On your ventilation... what about the rest of your room?
You need air to be able to move through - so if you have a vent and the rest of the room is airtight - air wont flow through.
Whats on the otherside of the wall where the mould appears?

Bachistricky

There is a cooker on the other side of the room, and a window above the cooker which I open when cooking. Beyond the kitchen is a bathroom and then bedroom (which the door is closed), the house is one storey.

Do you think an extraction fan could solve the problem?

srf

Without a doubt you will need extraction if you dont already have it as the moist air needs to be taken to the outside a fast as possible before it begind to condence and form condensation. The plasterwork externally is not your problem as if this was the issue, you would be seeing dampness on the wall and not necessarly mould growth. The wet patch in the ceiling may be from a leak overhead, check to see if there are any leaky pipes nearby. Insulation and ventilation are key to solving your problem.
Regards
srf