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Dr Doofenshmirtz
6,903 posts
69 months
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Not sure if this helps in your situation, but we used to suffer terrible condensation upstairs. The walls would go black with mould if anything was up against an outside wall (like a cupboard).
90% of the problem was fixed when we fully insulated the loft (which surprised me a lot I have to say). The core house temparature rose by some 3-5 degrees, and it made a massive difference to the warmth and comfort of the place, not to mention less use of central heating (we have a multi-fuel stove, so don't actually use the CH much anyway).
We have also now had the walls insulated, and have yet to see any more mould develop.
A good mould cleaning product is Dettol Mould And Mildew Remover - it's the only stuff that actually works.
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Blib
Original Poster
20,639 posts
66 months
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Thanks doctor.  The building was originally offices. It has a flat roof. The brickwork is single skinned. I don't know how it could be insulated . Other than by the "false wall and bubble wrap" method mentioned earlier in this thread. Any other methods to insulate a single brick thickness wall out there?
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mk1fan
3,725 posts
94 months
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Internally,
Fixing insulated plasterboard internally.
There are insulating wall papers like 'wallrock'
Erecting false walls and fitting insulation behind.
Externally,
Fix rigid insulation and render over.
Clad the builidng in insulated panels.
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Blib
Original Poster
20,639 posts
66 months
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C Lee Farquar
800 posts
85 months
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The type and position of radiators can be significant factor with condensation.
Incidentally if you have evidence of salts on the plasterwork then there is an additional source of dampness.
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Wings
3,969 posts
84 months
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Blib said: Thanks doctor. The building was originally offices. It has a flat roof. The brickwork is single skinned. I don't know how it could be insulated . Other than by the "false wall and bubble wrap" method mentioned earlier in this thread. Any other methods to insulate a single brick thickness wall out there? All flat roofs should have insulation either in the void between roof and ceiling, or between false ceiling and original ceiling, for cold roof, ceiling and warm air in room creates condensation. Single brick construction, requires external cladding, rendering etc.. I have had one property had the false wall and bubble wrap treatment, the same lasted less than 6 months, before mould reappeared. There are lots of services, products and tradepersons that will offer their services in treating condensation issues, but OP don't be tempted,my advice would be to first get an independent structured survey carried out on the property.
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Blib
Original Poster
20,639 posts
66 months
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Thanks Wings. I've read so many sites which offer miracle cures to this problem it becomes all a bit of a blur. It's nigh on impossible for the likes of me, an ordinary punter, to sort the wheat from the copious amounts of chaff. 
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D3fender
521 posts
32 months
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I generally find unvented tumble dryers, switched off kitchen/bathroom extractors, ignorance of upvc nigh latches, taped up/never opened trickle vents etc on my properties.
There are obviously some genuine exceptions where I fit passive vents, vented roof tiles, air bricks, extra trickle vents, rake cavities and always educate tenants about reducing condensation. We also produced our own leaflet in conjunction with our local authority.
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C Lee Farquar
800 posts
85 months
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Blib said: Thanks Wings. I've read so many sites which offer miracle cures to this problem it becomes all a bit of a blur. It's nigh on impossible for the likes of me, an ordinary punter, to sort the wheat from the copious amounts of chaff. To be honest if you spend a bit of time learning about condensation you'll pretty soon work out what's worth having and what's not. Schoolboy physics really.
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Big_Dog
559 posts
54 months
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I have had some similar problems, I initially blamed on my tenants lifestyle but the problem was a leaking shower waste.
On flats with non cavity walls I have had some success with high level acoustic vents. The ones with the mushroom face as they seem to vent the wall without causing drafts. Theres a lot to be said for the occasional out of sight tube heater too.
Obviously this after you have ruled out structural woes.
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S6PNJ
1,795 posts
150 months
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Blib said: I'd be really grateful if you could update your experiences with that company here, when you get the time. Blib, you asked for a back-brief - well, I wouldn't bother with any company whose name relates to the effect when a raindrop is split into its prismatic light components, and who may or may not claim to be represented across foreign boundaries. Suffice to say they didn't keep their first appointment but turned up 2 hours early, thus another appointment had to be made, then it took them 6 working days to get a 2 sentence report to me! If you want to see the report, pm me!
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