Mound on walls and condensation on windows

Beanybabog

I'm having a problem with my windows steaming up and mould growing around them. It's a 1950s build and I don't think it's well insulated. The bathroom has no extractor fan (worst mould) I don't believe there is much insulation. I don't think I can get beads in the walls, don't think they're cavity walls and so insulating the walls is a big job I think: Would new windows help the condensation or do I have to sort the insulating first? I could have a few thousand to spend but not mega bucks.

dok_golf

New windows could make things even worse as they tend to be even more airtight. You defo need an extractor fan in the bathroom and make sure to leave the door open at all times when not in use. With regards to insulating the walls etc, there are different methods. My advice would be to get a few quotes from different insulation installers.

Alkers

There's been a load of similar threads recently, do a search. In your case I would tackle ventilation first.

TopTec

It is not air from the outside that is your problem, it is warm air on the inside.

This warm air is very moist, and when it contacts a colder surface, like a wall, or window the air rapidly cools and the moisture then sits on the surface which then promotes mould growth. As stated you need to sort out your ventilation first and then think about your insulation.

A extractor fan, rated for your sized bathroom, is the key. Lots of people put in fans, most are to small and weak to do the job properly. You could just insulate the one room with internal boards but it would be pointless in the greater scheme of keeping your expensive heat in the house.

A single skinned building can be insulated inside or outside. Unless you are a competent DIY'er, I would get in some companies for quotes.

My place is part stone part 9 inch block. Insulated interior walls, 300mm rockwool in the loft. I have trickle vents in all rooms, proper extractors in kitchen and bathroom, transom windows in the bathroom, opened when the shower or bath is used and we NEVER dry washing indoors.

Never had a condensation or damp problem.

You need to make a plan, get an expert to advise you if you are not sure. You will save money in the long term.

Good luck.

TT

EndaHonesty

A dehumidifier will fix the problem for around €200.

I have a similar one to this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B011EI9P8Y/

Leave in a central part of the house running every day.

It will remove the moisture from the air without losing heat out a window or extractor fan.

The house will be easier to heat in the winter with dry air and in the summer the house will be cooler.

Clothes will also be easier to dry indoors.

It's a no brainer. Around €200 for a guaranteed fix.

fred funk }{

EndaHonesty wrote: »

A dehumidifier will fix the problem for around €200.

I have a similar one to this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B011EI9P8Y/

Leave in a central part of the house running every day.

It will remove the moisture from the air without losing heat out a window or extractor fan.

The house will be easier to heat in the winter with dry air and in the summer the house will be cooler.

Clothes will also be easier to dry indoors.

It's a no brainer. Around €200 for a guaranteed fix.

It's not fixing the problem though.

EndaHonesty

fred funk }{ wrote: »

It's not fixing the problem though.

It is.

Too much moisture in the air is causing the mould.

A dehumidifier removes the moisture. Problem fixed.

It's the only guaranteed solution.

fred funk }{

EndaHonesty wrote: »

It is.

Too much moisture in the air is causing the mould.

A dehumidifier removes the moisture. Problem fixed.

It's the only guaranteed solution.

It's a temporary fix. There needs to be a solution to the problem in the design of the building. Who has a dehumidifier running in their house all the time? I've only ever seen them on sites or someone using one as a once off. I'd say they're hefty enough on electricity too.

EndaHonesty

fred funk }{ wrote: »

It's a temporary fix. There needs to be a solution to the problem in the design of the building. Who has a dehumidifier running in their house all the time? I've only ever seen them on sites or someone using one as a once off. I'd say they're hefty enough on electricity too.

You have just admitted you have no personal experience of the machine I linked yet you're making incorrect comments about them.

Why?

I have a similar machine to the one I linked. I bought it for an apartment I own and lived in which had damp from poor ventilation, similar to OP.

I couldn't open the windows during the day as it is a ground floor and in the winter I don't want expensive heating going out the window.

The dehumidifier solved the damp issues immediately and the apartment was more comfortable and warmer.

Any extra costs for running the dehumidifier were not really obvious on bills, they are small efficient machines.

My dehumidifier is still working every day 4 years on, in the now uninhabited apartment.

It's the only guaranteed way of removing the excess moisture without losing heat out a window or vent.

It will cost around €200.

Can you offer a cheaper or quicker solution?

fred funk }{

You're treating the symptoms - not the cause. Surely you can't really think that it's ok to permanently run a dehumidifier and not fix the cause of the problem. Bizarre stuff.

EndaHonesty

fred funk }{ wrote: »

You're treating the symptoms - not the cause. Surely you can't really think that it's ok to permanently run a dehumidifier and not fix the cause of the problem. Bizarre stuff.

The problem is most likely caused by a lack of ventilation.

A dehumidifier will solve that problem quickly and cheaply.

You have not offered any help to the OP just criticism of dehumidifiers when it's clear you do not know anything about them.

That is truly bizarre.

dok_golf

Be careful with the dehumidifier if anyone in the house has asthma .

EndaHonesty

dok_golf wrote: »

Be careful with the dehumidifier if anyone in the house has asthma .

Why do you say that?

Dehumidifiers are good for asthma sufferers as they remove excess moisture and prevent mould from forming.

Many dehumidifiers have filters and ionisers too which also help asthma sufferers.

brokenarms

Surly the costs involved in running a dehumidifier as well as buying it and emptying it every day would soon become a false economy?

RHJ

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EndaHonesty

brokenarms wrote: »

Surly the costs involved in running a dehumidifier as well as buying it and emptying it every day would soon become a false economy?

No.

They are small efficient machines that do exactly as they are designed to.

Any extra electricity costs are offset by a home that's easier to heat, quicker drying of laundry and improved living conditions.

RHJ

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Water John

I don't see anybody say, dehumidifier won't work. But it isn't a good longer term solution.
I know it's not cheap but was in a single skinned house, a week ago, that had exsulation recently fitted. Brilliant job. That and possibly new windows along with ventilation will make your house comfortable and easy to heat.

listermint

RHJ wrote: »

I agree with others. You should definitely get a dehumidifier from what I understand the best type for this country is a desiccant dehumidifier as they work across a wide range of temperatures and are especially suited to cooler homes, where I am currently living. I have no choice but to run a dehumidifier as I don't have a dryer, so have to dry my clothes indoors, especially with the weather we're having at the moment and when it comes to Windows dripping with condensation is not really practical in low temperatures to leave windows open and I doubt in this high humidity, climate it would make any difference anyway.

So in short, ignore anyone who tells you a dehumidifier won't make a difference.

No one said that.

Can you retract that statement.

RHJ

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listermint

RHJ wrote: »

Someone did say that there dehumidifier wouldn't fix the problem. So my point still stands

It doesn't fix the problem .

You know well you are not solving the source.

You are working around the problem..

Yes it will dry the air for sure.it's not allowing the house to do that itself.which is what solving the problem means.


So no.

CIARAN_BOYLE

brokenarms wrote: »

Surly the costs involved in running a dehumidifier as well as buying it and emptying it every day would soon become a false economy?

A lot of people feel warmer with less moist air. If it allows you to reduce the thermostat in your house by 1 degree I would say it would break even in terms of running costs.

RHJ

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Water John

Goodness me, drying clothes over rads etc indoors really is not a good idea , even in the best of houses. A condenser dryer, preferrably with a heat pump, would be a far better alternative use of dehumidifier tech. Purchase cost, about €500.
Hope the OP is not drying clothes, as mentioned and expecting no condensation and mould problems.

EndaHonesty

Water John wrote: »

Goodness me, drying clothes over rads etc indoors really is not a good idea , even in the best of houses. A condenser dryer, preferrably with a heat pump, would be a far better alternative use of dehumidifier tech. Purchase cost, about €500.
Hope the OP is not drying clothes, as mentioned and expecting no condensation and mould problems.

Drying clothes in a house using a dehumidifier is perfectly fine.

Tumble dryers are terrible devices. Inefficient and damaging to clothes.

RHJ

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Water John

Talking about a HP dryer. That's the same tech!!! Just is applied directly to the clothes.

EndaHonesty

Water John wrote: »

Talking about a HP dryer. That's the same tech!!! Just is applied directly to the clothes.

This thread is about damp problems in a house. Not about drying clothes.

A dehumidifier will solve the damp/mould problems and make drying clothes easier.

It's a no brainer.

Water John

You must sell them. I have a dehumidifier which is very handy in certain situations. As others said, it's not a solution, long term for the OP.

famagusta

The only long term solution is ventilation and insulation. Forget the dehumidifier.
Put a 4'' vent in all the rooms and you won't have mould

EndaHonesty

famagusta wrote: »

The only long term solution is ventilation and insulation. Forget the dehumidifier.
Put a 4'' vent in all the rooms and you won't have mould

And leave all your expensively bought heating out the 4" vent too?!

RHJ

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EndaHonesty

Water John wrote: »

You must sell them. I have a dehumidifier which is very handy in certain situations. As others said, it's not a solution, long term for the OP.

I don't sell them. Just a happy long term user of one.

They are a beautifully effective way of solving damp problems.

fred funk }{

EndaHonesty wrote: »

I don't sell them. Just a happy long term user of one.

They are a beautifully effective way of solving damp problems.

You need to replace the air inside your home with fresh air. I can only imagine the smell of a home that doesn't do that.

EndaHonesty

fred funk }{ wrote: »

You need to replace the air inside your home with fresh air. I can only imagine the smell of a home that doesn't do that.

It's quite obvious that you know nothing about the subject of this thread or the solutions that are being offered.

Keep imagining away...

RHJ

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naughtysmurf

Can someone assist with my mold problem please, we have a 4 bed semi, we have a slight mold issue in two of the bedrooms around the windows, one of the windows is north facing, the other south facing, radiators under both windows

These are the only two rooms affected, the windows are all opened slightly during the day time, open but locked, all rooms have the ventilation hole, house built late 90's

Central heating is on 5pm to 10pm at the moment, not in the morning if that matters? we have a stove downstairs & dry clothes in front of it, no mold in that room at all

Attick is properly insulated & the walls have been bead insulated,

The only thing that's different is that since the stove is in use we don't turn on the heat for an hour in the mornings

Appreciate any advice

CIARAN_BOYLE

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Can someone assist with my mold problem please, we have a 4 bed semi, we have a slight mold issue in two of the bedrooms around the windows, one of the windows is north facing, the other south facing, radiators under both windows

These are the only two rooms affected, the windows are all opened slightly during the day time, open but locked, all rooms have the ventilation hole, house built late 90's

Central heating is on 5pm to 10pm at the moment, not in the morning if that matters? we have a stove downstairs & dry clothes in front of it, no mold in that room at all

Attick is properly insulated & the walls have been bead insulated,

The only thing that's different is that since the stove is in use we don't turn on the heat for an hour in the mornings

Appreciate any advice

First off is there any condensation on the windows in the morning. If so wipe the windows down with a jay cloth. Honestly simply things like that has more of an effect than anything else.

Also a humidifier as recommended in the previous posts is a good thing.

It's worth noting that opening windows while generally a good idea can sometimes just let wet air into the house so may not solve mould.

naughtysmurf

The thing is, we been living in the same house for 14 years with no issue so why all of a sudden now?
Other than the stove install a couple of years ago, nothing has changed,
There was a good bit of condensation on the north facing window yesterday morning, less on the south facing, none on any other windows in the house so it's confusing, we don't dry clothes on rads

Would having the heat on in the morning for an hour help in any way?

gctest50

Get a dehumidifier, only way - we live in a swamp

naughtysmurf wrote: »

..
....stove in that room and dry clothes in front of it, no mold in that room at all

The water from drying clothes won't condense in room the stove is in

The damp air will condense on the walls of a cold room though

.

naughtysmurf

gctest50 wrote: »

Get a dehumidifier, only way - we live in a swamp

Why haven't I needed a dehumidifier for the last 14 years though?

Beanybabog

Thanks all. I'm no a competent DIYer, I just didn't know where else to post this!

We have decided to insulate the attic, get the fan in the bathroom and then replace the windows as soon as we can. The house whistles in the wind so they need to be done. I don't dry clothes on the radiators if I can avoid it, I have a good condenser dryer and a a garden with a line so it's limited to putting the odd damp thing on it if it rains. I'll look into getting a dehumidifier too.

I'll get someone out to advise on insulation too, but I imagine it'll be out of budget at the moment. I don't know anything about insulating, but I assume the outside is a big job as there's pebble dash which would have to be replaced and the inside probably is too - the people before us did up part of the house and reskimmed the walls and put in nice coving, which I assume will all have to come down. I have no idea if they insulated when they did it. I wonder could an expert tell?

CIARAN_BOYLE

naughtysmurf wrote: »

The thing is, we been living in the same house for 14 years with no issue so why all of a sudden now?
Other than the stove install a couple of years ago, nothing has changed,
There was a good bit of condensation on the north facing window yesterday morning, less on the south facing, none on any other windows in the house so it's confusing, we don't dry clothes on rads

Would having the heat on in the morning for an hour help in any way?

What do you do with the condensation? Is it wiped away first thing in the morning or does it sit on the window til it disappears?

As to why now? Probably there's a vent blocked or perhaps you got the house painted with mould resistant paint previously but the last paint job used normal paint or one of a thousand things.

I doubt having the heat on for an hour in the morning will help.

loyatemu

bathrooms should have extractor fans. - LOW COST

if you dry washing indoors, definitely get a dehumidifier; may be a good idea to have one anyway if the house is prone to dampness. - LOW COST

maybe consider PIV - MEDIUM COST

As for external insulation - that's a much bigger question at a much bigger price. I've looked into it for our house and I think the payback period could be 15 years or more. That raises a number of questions:

• how long will you be living in the house
• does it add any value if you decide to sell
• how long does it last (it's only become widespread in the last 10 years or so, how durable is it?)
• will the govt be forced to increase the subsidies for retrofitting insulation in the next few years (we're currently failing to meet our climate commitments)

Beanybabog

loyatemu wrote: »

As for external insulation - that's a much bigger question at a much bigger price. I've looked into it for our house and I think the payback period could be 15 years or more.
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When I saw the level of the grants I assumed it's a huge job! I really don't have the money at the moment, and I don't want a huge renovation job as I have a baby and am expecting another. I would have loved the beads in the walls as my folks got them and it has made an incredible difference to their house but all my googling of this area shows houses that got Kingspan or the external insulation only, so I assume this type of house can't have the beads.

naughtysmurf

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

What do you do with the condensation? Is it wiped away first thing in the morning or does it sit on the window til it disappears?

As to why now? Probably there's a vent blocked or perhaps you got the house painted with mould resistant paint previously but the last paint job used normal paint or one of a thousand things.

I doubt having the heat on for an hour in the morning will help.

It's a very recent phenomenon, I wiped down yesterday morning & treated, didn't check this am, will check the vents but would suspect that they are clear but as I say windows, double glazed, never had condensation or mold issues in the past

BryanF

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Can someone assist with my mold problem please, we have a 4 bed semi, we have a slight mold issue in two of the bedrooms around the windows, one of the windows is north facing, the other south facing, radiators under both windows

These are the only two rooms affected, the windows are all opened slightly during the day time, open but locked, all rooms have the ventilation hole, house built late 90's

Central heating is on 5pm to 10pm at the moment, not in the morning if that matters? we have a stove downstairs & dry clothes in front of it, no mold in that room at all

Attick is properly insulated & the walls have been bead insulated,

The only thing that's different is that since the stove is in use we don't turn on the heat for an hour in the mornings

Appreciate any advice

Moisture from drying clothes etc is migrating upstairs, And condensing on the cold surfaces around window reveals & wall plate. This is very common. Stop drying clothes in doors, get vents for bathroom/kitchen and keep those doors closed.

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naughtysmurf

BryanF wrote: »

Moisture from drying clothes etc is migrating upstairs, And condensing on the cold surfaces around window reveals & wall plate. This is very common. Stop drying clothes in doors, get vents for bathroom/kitchen and keep those doors closed.

Thanks,

All rooms including bathroom have vents, extractor fans in bathroom & en-suite

It's going to be pretty impossible to stop drying all clothes inside in front of the stove over winter months, we've dried clothes for years also when we had an open fire pre stove, maybe the chimney had an effect

We would often open the door of the sitting room to the hallway to help warm the rest of the house so take your point as regards the moisture migrating upstairs but why those two particular rooms & not the other three rooms upstairs I wonder, the two windows in question are also very far away from eachother, one at front & one at rear of house

Maybe will have to look at a dehumidifier as a solution

naughtysmurf

So would the upstairs landing area be the right spot to locate a dehumidifier in my situation, to catch the moisture laden air before it reaches the bedrooms?
Or in the room where the clothes are drying?

223vmax

....... wrote: »

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Cant be right...I think dehumidifiers run @ 250W.