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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH and the ruined cot

31 replies

WindyNeighbour · 17/05/2018 15:27

A bit of backstory ... Last year we bought an cot but DC was too small for it and would not sleep in it due to there being so much space. We used a next 2 me crib and DC has only just got too old for it at 9mo due to sitting, crawling and standing in it.

Anyway, our home was originally built in the early 1900s and we got a lot of problems with humidity due to double glazing holding it in (as soon as the windows are closed after being open, it boxes it in again). We managed to solve the issue permanently now but in December, I noticed a musky, damp smell and looked everywhere. Some of our walls had grown mould in weird places you wouldn't think condensation usually grows (like inner walls at skirting height) and when I looked for something under the cot on a separate occasion, there was a whole layer of mould (it looked like someone had built sand dunes on it, growing downwards from the cot). We'd never noticed because we'd pull the cot out to hoover and never needed to look under it. I pointed it out to DH and said he'd have to take it down and get rid of it.

It turned out it was only growing on the bottom ply where it wasn't treated wood. Now DC needs to be moved into a cot, DH wants to make a complaint because he said lots of people have old homes like ours and the ply should also have been treated/external ply for this reason. I told DH he was being ridiculous and that we have two options, as we kept the rest of the cot to try to obtain another part for the cot from the store we got it from (somehow I don't think it's going to be easy to just pick up the ply as a spare part because it specifically has to fit this cot) or buy a new cot.

DH is still saying he wants to complain about it, refuses to even explore the option of buying a new cot and is really annoyed. I don't think IABU, am I?

OP posts:
BuntyII · 17/05/2018 15:30

Let him complain, it won't get him anywhere but if it cheers him up. You need a new cot.

Shadow666 · 17/05/2018 15:31

Can you pick up a piece of plywood from a Home Depot and give it a paint? It would be pretty cheap to do and a lot of places will even cut it to size for you.

Some places are great with refunds/replacing things and some aren’t. Hard to say if he’ll have any luck or not.

Furano · 17/05/2018 15:32

Your DH wants to take a cot back because your house is damp? Yeeeeaaaaaah thats not going to work.

SendintheArdwolves · 17/05/2018 15:32

Well, seeing as it's your house that has the damp problem, it seems unlikely that the cot is at fault.

However, if you DH is so adamant, tell him to crack on and make the complaint. Give him a deadline by which you will need a new cot (either bought outright, new plywood piece bought for the old cot, or replacement supplied by the company) and leave him to it.

Make sure you stand firm and refuse to help with the complaint, or listen to him ranting about him. This cot-project is his responsibility and you will have nothing to do with it until the deadline.

UpstartCrow · 17/05/2018 15:32

Lots of things such as shelves are sold as untreated, and you stain or varnish them yourself. But they give off fumes. I dont think sellers would use something like a fungicide on a cot, so I don't think he's being reasonable.

BlueJava · 17/05/2018 15:35

Let him take up the issue if he wants, but subtely don't have anything to do with the problem. You do need a new cot though and fairly quickly.

JenBarber · 17/05/2018 15:36

Damp ruins everything, treated or not.

I'm not sure he'll get anywhere with a refund.

BaronessBomburst · 17/05/2018 15:38

Humour him.
Let him complain. He won't get anywhere, so then you can buy a new cot.

TroubledLichen · 17/05/2018 15:43

Yes lots of people have old houses but most people don’t have mould growing up their walls. That’s why the cot got mouldy. It’s your house that’s at fault, not the cot and your DH is being ridiculous to expect a refund. If he wants to complain let him crack on though, he won’t get anywhere but it’s not worth arguing with him if he’s being that bloody minded about it.

Hope you managed to get your damp problem sorted though. As for the cot can you not just measure the board and get a new one from B&Q where they cut to size? And keep the mouldy one in the garage/shed as ‘proof’ in case DH needs it for his complaint.

Juells · 17/05/2018 15:48

I had a similar problem in downstairs rooms (black mould on outside walls), thought I might have to have work done on DPC, but had damp specialists out and and they said all that was needed was anti-condensation paint. You can get that from 'damp' stores.

LIZS · 17/05/2018 15:52

Can you not scrub it with dilute bleach or Milton. Or replace the plywood?

Pumpkin1975 · 17/05/2018 16:03

We had endless problems with damp in our previous house (1920’s built). Even after we repaired the DPC, drylined some of the walls, etc etc, we still had mould growing on some of the furniture regardless of whether it was treated wood or not. I just used to wipe it off with dilute bleach. You might want to move the cot a different part of room away from the wall, or try a dehumidifier. I don’t think you’ll get anywhere with a refund unfortunately.

Yecartmannew · 17/05/2018 16:10

Go to B&Q or Jewson or similar DIY/builders merchant.

Take the old cot base with you.

Get a new one cut to size.

Wipe the rest of the cot down with dilute bleach/milton/mould remover and allow to dry.

Sorted.

LarkDescending · 17/05/2018 16:33

My 1850s house is infested with clothes moths - perhaps your DH thinks I should be taking my ruined knitwear back to the shops for a refund!

WindyNeighbour · 17/05/2018 16:36

We've actually cracked the issue with the mould the mould (so far, it's been fine since Christmas) due to having a PIV unit installed. If anything it can get too dry at times, especially when the weather is so hot and cold but must better!

The old base is long gone now, it was the stuff of nightmares and upset both me and DH that it was in the room without us knowing.

I thought they'd just laugh him out of the shop! We have treated ply at home but I think him trying to guess the size without any dimensions is going to frustrate him endlessly Grin

OP posts:
howabout · 17/05/2018 16:38

Go to IKEA and get a new cot for under £40. Faffing around with replacing the base and cleaning will cost almost as much and if it were me I would never be convinced it was properly mended. Mine was in a travel cot till she was 9 months because we were between houses. When she eventually went into her cot she hated it and was in a bed by 20 months.

Your DH needs to take a step back but I can understand why he is upset and in the mood for a rant - I would be too.

Lindy2 · 17/05/2018 16:43

That sounds like quite a damp problem. It's a shame about the damage to the cot but the problem is with your damp not the cot.
It was in fine condition when you first bought it. What happens to it after that is your responsibility not the cot manufacturers.

tolerable · 17/05/2018 16:43

join your local freegle and put a "wanted"up

SunnyCoco · 17/05/2018 16:51

Oh just get a new cot mate, they go for about £20 on your local Facebook selling page

ProseccoPoppy · 17/05/2018 16:53

When we got DC1’s crib out of storage for DC2 the base was warped so we got a new one cut to size at our local DIY store. It’s nicer than the original, works perfectly and cost less than a tenner. I’d measure the cot and get a new base cut, go slightly larger size wise if in any doubt as you can always plane or sand the edges down to get it to fit. Good luck!

bearbehind · 17/05/2018 17:05

The old base is long gone now

How on earth does your DH think he'd be able to argue anything if he hasn't even got the base?

You could have done anything with it?

Does he think he can just turn up at the shop and 'tell them it went mouldy'?

I'd tell him that you're not discussing it anymore as there's simply nothing to discuss.

frankiestein401 · 17/05/2018 17:09

agree with treat as lost cause - but cots do get wet, often and using normal/unsealed ply on the base sounds unusual

Shadow666 · 17/05/2018 17:11

If it’s a nice crib, replace the base. It’s really easy to do.

If it’s a cheap crib, buy another and don’t worry about it.

I used to live in a damp flat and it was so frustrating. Everything in the cupboards would go rotten. It drove me crazy, so I feel your pain.

maccaroni · 17/05/2018 17:12

Please don't go back to the shop and complain. I used to work for a well known "high street retailer of baby goods" and I hated having to deal with people like him. Its not a manufacturing fault, it would be classed as 'accidental damage' caused by the customer. Most brands sell spare parts, you may well be able to order a new base if the cot isn't very old and is still made. If not get a secondhand one and buy a new mattress.

BertieBotts · 17/05/2018 17:21

They are a standard size, either 60x120 or 70x140 depending on whether it was a cot or a cotbed. Add a cm or two to each side if it intersects the legs.

I'd just dump the lot though and get a new one. Your description of the sand dunes has made me go all funny :(

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