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Original poster

How worried would you be about this?

64 replies

Hhousee · 03/09/2026 10:22

It goes dark when it rains heavily but then seems to dry and shrink. It’s got a small circle of black mould in the middle. Has been this big for a while so isn’t getting bigger at the moment. I’m broke and very worried, homeowner. It’s in my bedroom.

Just to add hoping to sell next year, house in good nick generally but wanted to avoid substantial work before moving.

How worried would you be about this?
OP posts:
Rumors1 · 03/09/2026 10:32

Hhousee · 03/09/2026 10:26

What is going on? Does the roof need doing entirely?

Thats unlikely, its probably just a small area of tiles thats letting water in tat need to be redone.
Once its done you can get damp seal paint and stain blocker paint to cover the marks.

MellowSubmarine · 03/09/2026 10:30

Hhousee · 03/09/2026 10:26

What is going on? Does the roof need doing entirely?

I would be worried but I wouldn’t be thinking that the entire roof must need fixing. It’s probably a smaller job than that.

But if you’re wanting to sell, you need to fix it. And then you’ll need to paint the ceiling with the special paint that covers water marks.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 03/09/2026 10:30

You need to get this sorted asap. I’d get a roofer in to come and have a look. Can you speak to your mortgage lender and say it’s a housing issue and they might release some equity to cover the costs perhaps?

if you leave it and then you sell it - it’ll show up on a full survey anyway I’d say - it did when we looked at a house we realised needed a full food and loads of other jobs too, we pulled out we lost £7-800 but so pleased we’d paid for a full survey.

this could also become a much bigger problem if you leave it and more expensive to sort.

EBITDAisMyHappyPlace · 03/09/2026 10:29

You really need to get it seen to and sorted, it must be leaking from roof or gap in bricks or something but that constant dampness will be causing further issues and could make whatever the matter is 100x worse

if someone does but your house and gets a survey or sees that when viewing it will massively decrease the desirability of your house, something which may cost a few hundred to fix now could end up costing thousands if not remidied

rathersleepy · 03/09/2026 10:28

If you want to sell you’ll need to find the money to fix it

Rumors1 · 03/09/2026 10:28

There is obviously water getting in somewhere. This happened in my bedroom and it was the gutter in the corner of the house. I believe it can happen with loose roofing tiles.
As PP said, can you get into the attic and see if you can find the source of the leak?
There are loads of house renovation/DIY groups on facebook that I find are great for advice on this sort of thing.

For the black mould, use vinegar (not bleach) to kill it but it will keep coming back as long as there is moisture.

MelonSorbet · 03/09/2026 10:27

No-one is going to buy a house with that going on! I would run a mile.

Original poster
Hhousee · 03/09/2026 10:27

This is further pic so smaller area than first pic suggests

How worried would you be about this?
OP posts:
2chocolateoranges · 03/09/2026 10:27

I’d be really worried about that.

you could have a blocked gutter or a roof tile that’s missing, both cheap and quick fixes.

Original poster
Hhousee · 03/09/2026 10:26

What is going on? Does the roof need doing entirely?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hhousee · 03/09/2026 10:26

MellowSubmarine · 03/09/2026 10:24

Quite worried, sorry.

Is there a loft above it you can get into and see what’s going on? Maybe go up when it’s raining? I’d want it sorted before autumn, even if it’s just patched up a bit as a minimum.

Edited

@MellowSubmarine yes there is a loft, this patch has been there a while though and people have been in and out and never said anything. I can’t get up there myself.

OP posts:
Mum2Fergus · 03/09/2026 10:26

Very.

Overthebow · 03/09/2026 10:25

Very worried, it needs sorting quickly before winter.

MellowSubmarine · 03/09/2026 10:24

Quite worried, sorry.

Is there a loft above it you can get into and see what’s going on? Maybe go up when it’s raining? I’d want it sorted before autumn, even if it’s just patched up a bit as a minimum.

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