?Damp?Mould? Please diagnose

[AMLK]

Could anyone tell us what kind of problem we have, and how serious it is please.

Last night we notice a tiny bit of water had seeped through one of the joins in the laminate floor in the kitchen, and that the floor was very slightly warped in the area. When you press on the joins tiny amounts of water seep through. This mornig I have pulled out the washing machine in case it was this leaking, causing the problem, but it is not. Behind the washing machine the wall is blackening at the bottom - any idea what the problem is? Sorry about the poor quality of images.







The house is a very old stone cottage, but the kitchen is an extension on the original cottage, and I am not sure when it was done (we fortunately don't own it, just rent it!).

Mods - please don't move this to the homes and diy forum just yet - I know this is one the busiest forums and I need replies ASAP - thanks

[Menguin]

Judging by the bottom image, you have some artistic mice attempting to paint landscapes.

[AMLK]

lol!!!! Actually we do have a mice problem, but that is another issue!!!!

[rfn]

The "spots" look like mould to me, but the artistic mice paintings look they could just be dust. I'd recommend getting the vaccuum cleaner out and vaccuum the wall to get any dust etc off to give you a better picture of what the wall looks like.

[st_files]

Looks like rising damp, whats on the other side of the wall?

[s4avant]

Looks very like rising damp and most likely caused by the lack of a damp proof course in either the floor or the wall.
High external ground levels ( in relation to internal floor level) could also be a factor.
Also check that all external rhones and downpipes are operating correctly and not spilling onto the wall base externally.

[AMLK]

The wall is an external wall. I have been outside and the ground is relatively high at that point. It wouldn't surprise me if there isn't a proper damp-proof course, it seems like alot of the jobs on this house have been done on the cheap. We have had the plumber out several times to fix the heating - said that it is a new boiler (but a crap one), but they haven't replaced any of the internal pipe work when the boiler was fitted which apparently needs doing.

All I can say is thank god we are only renting it and not buying it (it is on the market!). If it is rising damp, then at least we are not responsible. Now I just have to wait for the lettings people to get back to us about it.

Thanks for the replies.

Edited by AMLK on Thursday 28th January 11:13

[st_files]

AMLK said:

The wall is an external wall. I have been outside and the ground is relatively high at that point. It wouldn't surprise me if there isn't a proper damp-proof course, it seems like alot of the jobs on this house have been done on the cheap. We have had the plumber out several times to fix the heating - said that it is a new boiler (but a crap one), but they haven't replaced any of the internal pipe work when the boiler was fitted which apparently needs doing.

All I can say is thank god we are only renting it and not buying it (it is on the market!). If it is rising damp, then at least we are not responsible. Now I just have to wait for the lettings people to get back to us about it.

Thanks for the replies.

Edited by AMLK on Thursday 28th January 11:13

Let the landlord sort it.

Its amazing how much rising damp can be easily cured by lowering the external level though. Damp proofing is a huge scam in this country IMO.

[AMLK]

Thanks mods for keeping this thread in the lounge for a while, I appreciate it.

I feel reassured now that it is not our responsibilty - which is what I thought. Wonder what problem we will next encounter with the property!!

[NateWM]

Menguin said:

Judging by the bottom image, you have some artistic mice attempting to paint landscapes.

ROFL!!

There painting Trees!

[AMLK]

st_files said:

Let the landlord sort it.

Yeah right. The lettings guy has just come round to have a look. He said they have made the landlord aware of the problem, but he is not prepared to do anything about it. The landlord said that whoever buys the property will have to sort it!! Great attitude!. Has it not sunk into his skull that the reason thay have not sold the property (been on the market for nearly 2years) is that there is far too much work required on it for the price it is on for!!!!!

Edited by AMLK on Thursday 28th January 12:53

[AMLK]

rfn said:

The "spots" look like mould to me, but the artistic mice paintings look they could just be dust. I'd recommend getting the vaccuum cleaner out and vaccuum the wall to get any dust etc off to give you a better picture of what the wall looks like.

Have hoovered, but no change. The 'trees' are some sort of growth on the walls, feels slightly slimy to the touch - eeeww! Any ideas on what is growing in our kitchen? - I can only hope it is poisonous to mice, then that would at least solve one of our problems!

[VxDuncan]

Fungal spores. Not great for your health to be honest. You can get mould and mildew sprays from the supermarket - but these are overpriced for what is basically bleach. And as they are bleach you can easily damage the surrounds with them. First off and simple damp sponge should get the worst of it off. I'd also seriously inspect outside, and see if there is a pile of soil bridging the DPC, as suggested.

[anonymous-user]

Even if it does have a DPC it will not stop penetrating damp if it has been bridged! If there is paving, concrete or soil against the wall this will allow water to penetrate the wall! It is unlikely to be rising damp as this is in fact a very rare occurrence and often miss diagnosed when penetrating damp is the issue. Have you checked the position or condition of the rainwater goods and the possibility of a roof leak? It may even be a leaking pipe within the cavity.

What ever it is get onto the landlord as it will be up to them to get it fixed and in all likelyhood they will want to get a damp probelem fixed pretty quick (good landlords would anyway!)

[C Lee Farquar]

The fern like shapes are mycelium, probably wet rot from a skirting that used to be there. The black mould on the wall confirms that it is not rising damp, so either a plumbing leak or penetrating damp, probably guttering or outside ground level. Could be condensation, but that would assume the mycelium was caused by another problem.

Nothing for you to worry about, as has been said you can control the mould with bleach.

[V8A*ndy]

Condensation.

Stick a dehumidifier on.