Mould - Structural Survey

banchang

I have a mould issue in my 1 bed apartment. Measures taken :

Arranged for 3 new vents in the walls under the 3 windows (one in bedroom). These in addition to existing vents in bed/living rooms & kitchen

Replaced wooden windows with new uPVC with trickle vents - all open

Bought dehumidifier & asked tenants to use, which they did (good tenants & I believe them)

Hygrometer reading 70-80% humidity

Asked tenants to ensure rooms ventilated - one of them worked from home & would have done this, which is much better than apartment being sealed up for 10 hours & then heating/cooking taking place when both arrive home.

They still experience mould, & pools of water on bedroom windowsill in the morning from window condensation.

Understand that more ventilation & less moisture is the magic formula, but with mould still forming on windowsills & in ceilings at corner (external wall), I am thinking of getting a structural survey to see if there is something other than ventilation/moisture/lifestyle at issue here.

I don't want to shell out Eur250 or whatever for someone to tell me the magic formula, which I know already, but wanted to focus on any potential issues with the external walls, insulation etc which may be giving rise to mould internally.

Thoughts appreciated, & recommendations for potential mould surveyors which would specialize in this area.

DOCARCH

Biggest problem I have seen with mould and apartments is people drying clothes!

Are your tenants drying clothes on radiators?

In addition, are there extract (mechanical) vents to the Bathroom and over the hob?

Also ongoing thread here with some relevant information/pointers: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057722369

Lumen

Radiators under windows prevent condensation.

MicktheMan

1. I assume this is a winter time issue. Is it?
2. A bit of history please; how old is the apartment? Did you buy it from new? If not, when did you buy it? Did you live in it yourself? If so, did you have the same problem? When did the problem start? Were there any changes to the apartment prior to this (including change of tenants)?
3. How is the apartment heated?
4. Is the apartment being heated? How do you know?

MicktheMan

Lumen wrote: »

Radiators under windows prevent condensation.

Only if they are used sufficiently:)

Calahonda52

banchang wrote: »

I have a mould issue in my 1 bed apartment. Measures taken :

Arranged for 3 new vents in the walls under the 3 windows (one in bedroom). These in addition to existing vents in bed/living rooms & kitchen

Replaced wooden windows with new uPVC with trickle vents - all open

Bought dehumidifier & asked tenants to use, which they did (good tenants & I believe them)

Hygrometer reading 70-80% humidity

Asked tenants to ensure rooms ventilated - one of them worked from home & would have done this, which is much better than apartment being sealed up for 10 hours & then heating/cooking taking place when both arrive home.

They still experience mould, & pools of water on bedroom windowsill in the morning from window condensation.

Understand that more ventilation & less moisture is the magic formula, but with mould still forming on windowsills & in ceilings at corner (external wall), I am thinking of getting a structural survey to see if there is something other than ventilation/moisture/lifestyle at issue here.

I don't want to shell out Eur250 or whatever for someone to tell me the magic formula, which I know already, but wanted to focus on any potential issues with the external walls, insulation etc which may be giving rise to mould internally.

Thoughts appreciated, & recommendations for potential mould surveyors which would specialize in this area.

Please clarify what under the windows mean?
Where exactly is the mould?
The water on glass would suggest insulation is warmer than windows...
No mention of extractor fans in kitchen or bathroom.
Humans produce lots of H2O at night and thats just breathing, more if ....

What aspect is the apt, apt window

http://www.rte.ie/lifestyle/living/2017/0105/842842-the-dangers-of-drying-clothes-indoors/