Black mould and raised discs of something on outer wall?

muffin1973

Registered User
Messages
633
Hi all,

We have had mould under our bedroom window for quite a few months now. I tend to wipe it off with Flash Mould & Mildew remover which always works - well, temporarily. I'm assuming it's our gutters causing this from the outside as they are quite old and we think need replacing but we can't afford it at the moment.

Woke up this morning and noticed that in the corner of the bedroom, right beside where we sleep, the usual black spotty mould has been joined by raised white discs of what I assume is some other sort of mould? Again, these are on the inside of an external wall, the wall itself is always freezing.

Would anyone know what we should use to treat this?

Thanks

Muffin
 
Muffin

I know I've said this loads, but I used to get mould in my house and now use a dehumidifyer, which has taken it all away once I cleaned it all up. It hasn't come back which is great.

Unfortunatly, I havent a clue what the white stuff is, probably mould as you say. It grows kinda fluffy, like cotton or something of that sort.
 
Hi Smashbox

thanks for that. I do have a dehumidifier actually - it's running at the moment. I've cleaned the mould a few times and ran the dehumidifier but the mould still comes back? Sure i'll leave it run a bit longer and see if that makes a difference.

cheers

M

ps: yeah, the mould is white and fluffy...
 
Its just a type of white mould for sure then. Mould can actually be any colour - black, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or violet

When I got my dehumidifyer, the mould never came back after I washed it away. I used an antibacterial kitchen cleaner, soaked it, let it soak for a little while, then washed it off.

If you keep something dry ie. the wall, windows etc, mould cannot survive.

Could you have a leak in or behind the wall?
 
What we think it is, is the water from the gutters overflowing and hitting the wall on the outside of the house, and getting through (it's just under and to the right of our window). I'll try your method of cleaning it - I have Cif bathroom spray or Dettol Antibacterial spray - would one of them do?

the wall is very cold though as well, also there's no vent in the room which I suppose doesn't help...

thanks again

M
 
I'd try the Dettol Antibac. I just used a cheap one, leave it on for a bit and hopefully it will help.

What make is your dehumidifyer? Is it powerful enough do you think?

Perhaps the water is seeping in from the outside, causing this mould. Its definatly wet or damp somewhere, thats why you are getting it.

Any friends in the know that could take a look at it?
 
Great will do that so. Our dehumidifier is the Homebase one - it seems good, collects a lot of water. I have it on now in the back room as i'm drying the clothes on a clothes horse and I've read it helps dry them faster. Will move it back into the front room tomorrow, see how much more water it collects. It's amazing the amount of moisture in the air!

Don't really know anyone in the business so might have to get a professional out in the new year.

Thanks again

M
 
It really helps with clothes. I'm short in stature so when I go out, a lot of my trousers/jeans drag on the ground. If it's wet, they get soaking. Leave it by the dehumidifyer and it dries in no time at all.

I empty mine loads, its crazy how much water is around. I've been lucky that the damp has never returned, hope it works for you too!
 
You really need to address the problem rather than concentrating on removing the mould itself.
The room should be vented or at least have some air circulating.
Take a look at the gutters - could simply need to be siliconed at a joint or the leaves/moss build up should be removed in order for water to run off to downpipe.

Brendan.
 
We have vents in our bedrooms, kitchen and sitting room, and yet we still got mould on our windows and doors. All vents are open and fully operational, heating is on and windows opened regularly.

The dehumidifyer is the only thing that will keep this mould and condensation at bay.
 
The black mould is probably cladosprium (common on internal walls); the white ring 'fluffy' mould could be either penicillium or aspergillus. A mould professional can test it to tell you.

Certainly sounds like damp getting in - the cause of teh mould growth. That will have to be fixed if you want to stop the mould coming back. In the meantime it needs treating with an effective mould remover (Teflex). Search that name on Google Ireland and you'll soon find it.
 
Dehumidifiers are very expensive to run. My ex-wife put one in the kids bedrroms due to condensation and the electric bill sky rocketed!
 
Mine hasnt been too bad, its roughly 80c - €1 per 24 hours. I don't mind paying it to keep the mould/mildew and condensation at bay.