To ask how to prevent this?

[amrscot]

This is the windowsill in my bedroom. It's constantly covered in mould and I regularly have to use mould and mildew cleaner on it.

My bedroom window is always open, I try not to hang wet clothes on the radiator and if I do then I open the windows downstairs to let the moisture out.

It seems as though the windows are wet on the inside.

How do I prevent this and would I be unreasonable to want to raise it with the landlord?

[amrscot]

Anyone??

[Finfintytint]

What is the outside brickwork like? Does that look wet? Could be leaky guttering and the water is seeping through.

[amrscot]

It looks fine from the outside. I think there must be a problem though because as I've been cleaning the windowsill I've noticed there is also mould under the ledge

The corners of the ceiling have also started to turn brown also

[Finfintytint]

I wonder if the window seal has started to fail. Do you know how old the windows are?

[BuildingBackUp]

Buy one of those damp traps - the plastic carton full of crystals.

They work wonders and solve lots of minor issues with damp/mould.

[amrscot]

@Finfintytint I have no idea

[amrscot]

@BuildingBackUp ooooh good idea! My mum has those and they worked quite well for her

[WBWIFE]

Seal is probably worn and allowing the condensation to build x

[lljkk]

Don't breathe.
Seriously, we get lots of condensation in the bedrooms.
It's from people breathing out.
I have less mould in our bathroom & none in the spare bedroom no one sleeps in.

So annoying.
I have only just discovered mould/mildew removal. If I can handle the smell of swimming pool, it's great!

[plattercake]

It looks like condensation to me rather than a structural damp issue, as structural issues or seal fails etc are usually produce worse mould but do check.

My guess is that it is a north/north east facing wall without heating under the window, that probably doesn't get much sun. If so, the coldness will cause moisture in the air to condense there more than anywhere else. We had a house that had a strangely cold corner due to the design where the terraced houses where stepped out as they went along, and it was prone to mould if there was furniture there but the whole room was inadequately heated so we had to heat and ventilate the whole room better and keep the air moving.

A heater under your window would likely make a big difference if there isn't one. You can get small heaters eg tube heater that will take the chill off the wall and should not cost too much to run. If it has a radiator that works and is on regularly, then something structural is probably wrong.

If possible I would heat the room more, open all the air vents on all windows all the time or as much as you can to get the air flowing through the house constantly, (use a fan if needs be as some new homes are stuffy by design) and probably get a dehumidifyer. If you can dry the house out a bit, it might become more manageable and you wont need to run the dehumidifyer too often. Mould is a bugger when it takes hold.

Also, a lime based or eco alkaline paint will help keep mould at bay naturally as it doesn't like an alkaline environment and eco paint breathes where modern vinyl paint does not and just traps moisture.

this is helpful and the maker Auro make great eco and anti mould paints and mould eradicators www.auro.de/downloads/pdf_e/Thema_Pur-san3_e.pdf www.auro.de/en/products/walls-and-ceilings/special-wall-paints/327-anti-mould-paint/

I appreciate that not all landlords will let you paint, but their other tips are good. You can remove mould without harsh chemicals whichis good to know!

[amrscot]

@plattercake you're right!! Thank you so much, very helpful

[plattercake]

Its a pleasure amrscot!

Hope you can find a solution without too much bother or expense :)