Hi everybody,
My kitchen wall underneath the main window is suffering from some type of mould. It has been about for a few years, but every now and again , i just clean down the walls with a good kitchen cleaner, and its ok for a bit.
Its out of view, behind the washine machine, and close to some cold water pipes, so im thinking there may be a connection here.
Its the type of mould which is nearly all gone in the summer, but returns back in the cold winter months worse.
Its on a stone/brick wall (unpapered) and this is the main wall to the outside of the house.

Any tips here

Thanks

Tom

What you have is mildew.

Mildew occurs where condensation collects but there is no ventilation nearby to let the condensation out.

During the summer, you have your windows open, and therefore ventilation. During the winter, you mostly keep your windows closed, thus insufficient ventilation, therefore mildew.

Dettox do a very good spray on Mildew treatment.

Ary.

we have trouble with black mould in damp areas where there is bad ventilation.

try to move stuff a bit away from walls. and keep the walls as dry as possible.

HG cleaning products are very goos and they do an excellent spray for black mould. Keeps it at bay for months.

However, I believe that once the spores have got into brickwork, paper or plaster, there's no way you'll get rid of it unless you can completely get rid of the damp.

Yes, once it's established, it is hard to permanently eradicate Mildew... however you can keep it very well under control with the occasional treatment with Dettox Mildew spray.

Ary.

Hi Re moulds.Came across this piece, hope it's not the nasty one.

Important notes on health risks as a result of inhalation of mould spores.
It is now accepted amongst most Environmental Health and Health Professionals that exposure to high levels of certain household moulds can have a variety of ill affects , especially to those with a low immune system ie. Infants and the elderly.
Typical reported ill affects, include, Asthma , flu like symptoms, headaches, nose and throat infections, nose bleed, fatigue, cough and in severe cases can result in chronic respitory illnesses and a suppression to the immune system .
Both of the above mentioned spores contain toxins and especially Stachybotrys charterum which only in the past 5 years has now become a major public health issue in both North America and Canada where extensive research has been carried out ,it is now regarded there as the new Blue asbestos of buildings, where found, can now result in the closure and isolation of public buildings.
Furthermore, this problem was identified and published as long go as 1985 in the British Medical Journal, (Environmental Health Profession practice, Mould fungal spores 24.6.1985)
It is also worth noting that the wrong use of biocides ie using a fungicide instead of a mouldicide can make the situation worse by destroying the spores but releasing the toxins within, therefore once dried ,can become airborne ;they can , if inhaled be drawn into the blood stream via the lungs with obvious ill effects.

I have recently been informed , there is a reoccurrence of the problem which indicates, high levels of spores are still present, note one single spore can be germinated within 24 hours and will reproduce thousands more within 3 to 7days.
I trust you find my report helpful, and hopefully this may alert the authorities concerned as to the
Health risks you and your daughter are exposed too .

Spray on a 20% bleach solution.

Avoid contact with eyes, clothes or dangly bits.

This is a very cheap but very effective treatment.

Noxious toxins indeed

Next, you'll be telling me that it's unsafe to go out in the garden because it's full of germs

Ary.

have been looking about for the Dettox one.
Is it something from ur local supermarket, or it a DIY store for this

cheers

Tom

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Aryldi:
Noxious toxins indeed

Next, you'll be telling me that it's unsafe to go out in the garden because it's full of germs

You jest, but Aspergillus niger commonly known as one of the Black spot moulds do contain toxins, and should not be treated lightly, and especially Stachybotrys charterum . The advise of using bleach or dettox is poor advise this can actually encourage new growth, by only temporarily sterilizing the affected areas, and in doing so provides a perfect enviroment for the moulds to reproduce as you have removed their natural competitors of the higher order of certain fungi.
You need to understand that once you have a case of mould in an enclosed space the spores will have spread within the enviroment of this space. A single spore will germinate within 24 hours and will have multiplied a thousand fold within a few days. It is essential when dealing with moulds to use a "mouldicide" and no other type of biocide, the mouldicide will destroy the toxins within the spores.
To effectively eradicate mould growth from returning, it is vital to remove the conditions for germinations ie. humidity in an unventilated space.
I understand Silvershadows original problem was adjacent to some cold water pipes and behind the washing machine beneath a window. Therfore you have a simple problem of condensation, the warmth of the back of the washing machine against a cold area. so first try insulating your cold pipes. Then provide some ventilation into the room butimportantly with a constant room tempreture ,ideally 22 degrees. The constant heat will allow any surplus moisture to become airborne but will be realised through suitable ventilation.
This will eventually resolve the problem. trust me I had spent many years resolving these problems and have seen the ill effects, especially to children and the elderly.

quote:

Spray on a 20% bleach solution.

Avoid contact with eyes, clothes or dangly bits.

This is a very cheap but very effective treatment

... or wipe with thick bleach - both cheap and effective alternatives to commercially available mould sprays which are basically a solution of bleach anyway....

... there are some health risks associated with mould but I don't think you need to run for th hills quite yet...

quote:

Originally posted by silvershadow21:
have been looking about for the Dettox one.
Is it something from ur local supermarket, or it a DIY store for this

cheers

Tom

I know the one he means, it's Dettox Mould and Mildew remover and it's in a bright green plastic spray - you can get it from the supermarket. It's also good for the bottom of shower curtains if they start to go a bit iffy!

Cheers

Yes, that's the one, a bright green bottle. Smells to high heaven. But really effective.

ps. I'm a she btw

Ary.

White vinegar should kill the mould (unless it's in the plaster) - much kinder than bleach

Whilst we're on the subject of moulds etc. Does anyone else have a sort of burnt orange colour deposit around their bathcurtain shower nozzle and splashbacks etc? It does scrub off the curtain and tiles, but Im finding its tainting the white colour of the sealant.Dettox is keeping it under control as long as used every day, but any opinions as to the cause? Is it a mould of sorts? Or a content of the water?

quote:

Originally posted by Cypriana:
Does anyone else have a sort of burnt orange colour deposit around their bathcurtain shower nozzle and splashbacks etc? It does scrub off the curtain and tiles, but Im finding its tainting the white colour of the sealant.Dettox is keeping it under control as long as used every day, but any opinions as to the cause? Is it a mould of sorts? Or a content of the water?

I've had that twice, both times in new build houses. Could be totally wrong but I always thought is was brick/plaster dust. Under the bath was a mass of fine plaster dust and a good clean out there coupled with blocking up the large holes in the floors/walls where pipes went through solved the problem. I assumed that the air flow through the holes and under the bath (which can be quite a lot, especially if you run an extractor fan and so depressurise the room causing air to be drawn in from anywhere it can) causes the dust to move about and it shows up on the tiles. I originally thought it was in the water but then as I said a good clean up of the plater dust cured it.

Edit error.

Nope Fran, were definately not newbuild. Any other offers?

quote:

Originally posted by Cypriana:
Whilst we're on the subject of moulds etc. Does anyone else have a sort of burnt orange colour deposit around their bathcurtain shower nozzle and splashbacks etc? It does scrub off the curtain and tiles, but Im finding its tainting the white colour of the sealant.Dettox is keeping it under control as long as used every day, but any opinions as to the cause? Is it a mould of sorts? Or a content of the water?

I think Fran is correct, that it's brick or plaster dust being blown around from somewhere. I am not too sure what you can do about it though, sorry.

Perhaps you could try one of the coloured sealents, so that the discoloration is less noticeable?

Ary.

Cant imagine how it could be brick dust, although I have to admit, it is that bright orange of common brick. My bathroom is totally sealed off with sealant from any source of dust , and that wouldnt explain the affected showerhead. I feel it must be from something in the water . I live near an estuary and marshes, and Ive noticed sometimes the marshy puddles in the areas rarely caught by tide, get a similar orange gunge in them. Our water is from a localborehole, so perhaps it is from trace elements or something . Were not an old oldproperty with ancient piping, so I think maybe Ill have a word with the waterboard. Thanks for all the replies.

quote:

Originally posted by Cypriana:
I feel it must be from something in the water . I live near an estuary and marshes, and Ive noticed sometimes the marshy puddles in the areas rarely caught by tide, get a similar orange gunge in them. Our water is from a localborehole, so perhaps it is from trace elements or something .

If it is in the water supply then would it affect anyone else around you, so perhaps you could ask a neighbour if they know what it is.

oh, yes, in the Lake District they get a kindof orangey brown water due to the minerals in it.

Here in kent, we have blue water, due, I think, to copper piping.

Ary.

I always had the orangy issue in my 1950s flat in South London - I'd always just assumed it was something in the water, like Lime scale.

I have had this orangey/pink mould prob too - it won't bleach away. Def not brick dust it must be an orange coloured mould.