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Original poster

To freak out at black mold in the house we just bought?

65 replies

PapayaCoconut · 27/07/2019 07:07

The house has been empty for almost a year and the guy we bought it from (a property developer) has never lived there. Our surveyor didn't find any signs of damp or flag up any mold issues.

When we got the keys yesterday we went round the place and had a bit of a look around. I opened some kitchen cupboards and realised two of them have some black mold inside, towards the back. It's a terraced house so the mold is on the adjoining wall with the neighbor. I was planning to clean it off and see if it comes back but after sleeping on it I'm wondering if we're going to have to get someone in to pull the cupboard out and look behind it and tell me that we have a damp problem that he can fix to the tune of £5000...

We're moving in today and were so excited but this has put a bit of a "dampener" on it for me...

OP posts:
SinkGirl · 27/07/2019 08:01

HG cleaning products are the best all round - limescale and grease removers especially

MushySeas · 27/07/2019 08:03

A general rule of thumb is if you can clean the mould off, it's a ventilation/excess moisture (usually by lifestyle, like drying clothes indoors) issue. It'll just be that it's been unoccupied for a while.

TheFridgeRaider · 27/07/2019 08:05

I second a mildew spray and I would put a dehumidifier there.
Make sure it's properly cleaned and absolutely dry before you use that cupboards.

Air the whole property properly for few days and you will be ok. Tbh you are very lucky there is mould only in one place if it has been empty for a year.

Enjoy your new home!

ColdAndSad · 27/07/2019 08:05

Most mould removers are just very expensive bleach solutions.

If a house has been empty for a year, it's almost certain to have mould in it--not being adequately heated or ventilated provides perfect conditions for mould to grow.

I would clean it all off, and then watch that area closely for a few weeks; and then start watching it again once the weather gets colder, as that's often when problems start.

Pollywollydolly · 27/07/2019 08:05

Go to Poundland, buy Astonish Mould and MIldew cleaner spray. Spray it on, wipe it off - Job done. If you had a problem there would be a lot more mould.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 27/07/2019 08:06

Lifestyle mould. Wipe it off, leave it dry. Paint over. Job done.

Open windows, don’t dry washing indoors, you’ll be fine.

Herocomplex · 27/07/2019 08:07

Most importantly, get all the doors and windows open at every opportunity to get the air circulating.

Yogagirl123 · 27/07/2019 08:09

Lack of ventilation will cause mold in any home. The dettol mold remover is amazing, spray it on leave for a little while and then wipe off.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 27/07/2019 08:11

We found this stuff effective.

To freak out at black mold in the house we just bought?
LazyDaisey · 27/07/2019 08:15

I just had a damp survey done so I can tell you what a chartered surveyor with zero interest to sell you any damp proofing crap told me. Black mould is condensation. Due to lack of heating and or ventilation. You don’t need “experts” in. Kill mould with bleach or if you don’t like the smell, Ronseal Mould Killer for £7 from B&q does the job.

Most mould is caused by people who whack the heating on when they wake up, turn it off all day when they’re out, whack it back on in evening, turn it off during the night.... etc.

Just keep the property heated at even 17C to avoid condensation and mould

Original poster
PapayaCoconut · 27/07/2019 08:15

There is a bathroom above, but if there was a leak wouldn't the surveyor have found it? He did random damp checks and said he was pleasantly surprised to find none.

OP posts:
gingajewel · 27/07/2019 08:17

Some people are so dramatic! Of course you can clean mould yourself! You don’t need a professional to clean it or to sue the vendor! U literally need some £1 astonish mould and mildew cleaner, it’s amazing and will clean it instantly, then ventilate well and keep an eye on it! If it was a full wall then it would be different but a patch in a cupboard of a house that hasn’t been lived in for year is a bit different!

TeamUnicorn · 27/07/2019 08:20

I second lazy It is most likely condensation.

Don the rubber gloves, open the windows and get cleaning.

FuriousVexation · 27/07/2019 08:21

Unless you or someone else moving in has asthma, this isn't going to be a problem.

PPs have suggested bleach, which definitely works, but if you're sensitive to that, tea tree oil is a great alternative.

IN the meantime, I'd use that cupboard for stuff that doesn't need using/cleaning daily, e.g. stand mixer, whisks, toasted sandwich maker.

Original poster
PapayaCoconut · 27/07/2019 08:22

I think that people should go on a first time home buyers course.

I'd totally go to that! Smile

OP posts:
Boysey45 · 27/07/2019 08:27

I'd say its condensation as well.
After you have cleaned the area get some condensation traps the silica ones if your not going to be there. They will absorb the moisture.

I've had a black mould problem and a few people tried to rip me off saying it was rising damp which the existence of is questionable. After the bleach treatment, condensation traps, opening the windows more the problem has gone. Check theres no leaks or anything as well. Look at the ceilings etc.

plunkplunkfizz · 27/07/2019 08:27

The HG foam is better than the spray. The spray is good but the foam has changed my life. We’re in an old Victorian terrace with little ventilation and as a result, prone to damp even when occupied. The fact the foam sits on the mould instead of running off like the liquid spray does means it works far quicker. Now we have a quick blast once a week, a quick rub and we’re done.

You DO NOT need a professional.

macdhui · 27/07/2019 09:42

boredboredbored ...do your research.
Black mould is serious and it’s what you can’t see. I am so not a drama queen.

Knittedjimmychoos · 27/07/2019 09:57

Is hg stuff readily available?

Try and wear face mask or hold breath when disturbing mold, it's the spores when they enter lungs that can cause the problem s

xyzandabc · 27/07/2019 10:03

We had some black mould in the back of kitchen cupboards when we moved in to our house. It had been empty for 9 months.

Some mould remover spray, cleaned it off, never came back.

Ifartglitterybaubles · 27/07/2019 10:31

Hg mold spray is available for a few quid in most supermarkets. A quick scrub and ventilation will sort it.

089ville · 27/07/2019 11:11

I think people are being way too relaxed about this, black mold is very dangerous and could mean water deep in the house from a leak. Get the professionals in and don't riskyour health.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/07/2019 11:24

I've lived in my house for 12 years and we've had black mould on the outside walls for all that time. We clean it off and it comes back again. To me it's just something we have to live with!

ptumbi · 27/07/2019 11:37

I get black mould in one of the bedrooms - because it rarely has the windows open. it's on an outside wall without a radiator against it, so I can see why it likes it there!

HG Black Mould remover is available in hardware stores. I think Dyas might sell it. I get it (and all the range) from the local builders suppliers.

TeamUnicorn · 27/07/2019 11:37

OP Here is some info from a local council website. The highest chance is that it is from condensation.

www.gosport.gov.uk/sections/your-council/council-services/housing/council-tenants/repairs-maintenance/damp-mould-condensation/