Condensation/mould help

[Runningmummy41]

Hello, just looking for any suggestions which may help. I live in a 3 bed purpose built 3rd floor HA flat. The condensation in the flat is quite bad and I have to keep wiping down the walls to get rid of the mould. I have a decent sized dehumidifier which I run several hours throughout the day/evening. Heating is on from 0600-0830 and 1630-2130, windows get wiped down daily and walls get cleaned frequently due to the mould which starts. I have a condenser tumble dryer however cannot afford to dry clothes straight from washing so I do hang my laundry up indoors (have a tiny balcony which is great in sumner but nothing drys at this time of year). Even when there is no drying hanging there will still be loads of condensation. Money is tight and heating the flat has become more expensive due to increased gas prices. The HA are not remotely interested and just fob me off. I think the wall in my daughters room which is worse is so bad because it’s on an outside wall which does not have a radiator. Her wall and ceiling have water droplets forming which makes the mould worse. I’ve used dryzone products this week but just wondered whether anyone can give me any advice/tips?

I am aware that I am fortunate to have a home for myself and my children and that many families are living in worse conditions

I'm so sorry, that looks really awful.

We have a big condensation problems, just on our windows fortunately. We were wiping down, and opening the windows for an hour every morning but it didn't help. Our dehumidifier is helping, but only if left on for a long time (we had it running constantly for the first week (24 hours a day in different rooms) and now have it on all night in the worst areas. Have you tried running it for longer. If there's not one built in to your dehumidifier it might be worth seeing if you can borrow one of the little machines that measures humidity in the air to confirm that that's definitely the problem too.

Also, hopefully someone with better knowledge will come along, but I think it can help to wipe down the walls with neat white vinegar to kill the spores too (I hope that's not something I've just made up, but I'm sure I've heard it somewhere!).

Your last sentence is unnecessary - you have every right to be unhappy and complain about this. It's unacceptable that your HA expects you to live with this. It's a health risk.

My suggestion would have been a dehumidifier, but you're doing that. I would think that you should still try hanging out washing on your balcony even in the winter; clothes will dry to a degree even if it's cold. You'd then only be bringing the washing in to finish drying.

Mostly though, I feel that you shouldn't allow yourself to be fobbed off by the HA. Could a local councillor or your MP be persuaded to get involved? I'm furious for you.

A window vac?

We have problems with mould. I think the HA don't seem to care because there's just not much they can do.

I think a window vac is a good idea - you need the water to leave your flat. If you wipe down the moisture with a cloth and then leave the cloth to dry, the moisture is still released into the flat. A window vac would at least let you pour the water away.

I can't recommend Dettol anti mould spray enough, spray over all the mould and no need to wipe, or if needed after 5 or 10 mins wipe with some kitchen roll. It doesn't solve the problem of the returning mould of course, but it very effectively gets rid of what's there for a bit of time.

Finally, opening windows for ventilation is key. Do the windows get opened? Try to do it for a decent amount each day.

Our bay windows do this (DH says fitted by an imbecile 😬) and can cause mould, we got a Karcher window vac, as PP have suggested.

It's the first thing I do every morning (living the dream eh?!) but it completely clears the condensation and as has been said you are actually getting rid of the water rather than just moving it around.

For the the mould, clean with a mould spray, we use HG. I do it regularly, say once a week to keep it away.

It's a pain to have to do all this, but it's worth it.

Though it runs contrary to common sense you have to ventilate rooms even during the coldest weather.

The dehumidifier will only do so much, depending on type, size etc.

The advice I give tenants is to ventilate, use a dehumidifier, use a window vacuum, squeegee, and HG mould spray.

HG mould spray is slightly different to many others, it seems to kill off spores more easily. I have used it on my own single glazed bathroom window and it has stayed clear for years - I've used it twice in 6 years rather than regular use with other sprays. I wish I had shares 🙂

And keep telling the HA what you are doing to combat it and how quickly it comes back.

Thank you all for your comments. Have ordered a window vac so fingers crossed that helps a little!