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Bathroom Woes

8 replies

JarlBalgruuf · 21/12/2018 20:58

Recently moved to a new (to me) flat and the bathroom is a nightmare.

The walls are all artex, but it's so ancient that it's all flaking and crumbling off, especially in places where it's a bit more damp. The wall above the bath isn't tiled as there is no shower, but there is what I can only describe as years of accumulated filth all in the texture of the artex.

The bath and basin are so chipped they look minging even when sparkly clean. The toilet is really old, uses so much water, and there are bugs living in the cistern which is so black on the inside that I can't even see the bottom. I've lived in some crummy flats and cleaned some manky cisterns but this is on another level. It's like there's been stuff growing in it at some point.

I did mention the artex briefly to the housing association but they just said they don't do any decorating work. I haven't told them about the cistern yet.

The whole room needs redone, but I can't afford that.

So my questions:

Is it possible to clean the artex that isn't damaged? It really needs to come off but I dont have the money.

How might I go about cleaning the cistern? It's so bad I dont even want to touch it. Should I just moan at he housing association until they come and look at it?

Are there any ways I can generally make the room nicer without spending much money? I've been considering getting stickers for the few tiles, and I have a grout pen, but I dont think those things will make any difference because the whole room is just horrible.

Thanks, any answers appreciated because it is stressing me out so much. I want to find whoever thought artex in a bathroom was a good idea and punch them.

OP posts:
JarlBalgruuf · 21/12/2018 20:59

There were paragraphs, but they haven't showed up, sorry!

OP posts:
Rumboogie · 21/12/2018 21:31

If this is quite old artex it might contain asbestos and therefore be a danger especially if flaking. Your housing association should have info if it is their flat, or have analysis done. I would have thought it should not be occupied if there is any question of asbestos being present. Don't touch it!

Xiaoxiong · 22/12/2018 00:10

Rumboogie is right, artex pre 2000 will have asbestos and post 2000 "may or may not" have it. And it's only a danger when flaking and crumbling which it sounds like yours is.

I'd have another moan at the housing association very forcefully and say "crumbling asbestos" a few times - asbestos exposure carries a scary obligation for duty of care so they really need to come and sort it.

For the cistern, try dropping a couple of denture tablets in there? See if that shifts some of the mingingness before you get in there with a pumice stone?

Otherwise, it's amazing what a good clean, a nice clean and fluffy bath mat, lovely smelling soap in a dish on the sink and a spider plant or a fern can do - if only to draw the eye Grin

Xiaoxiong · 22/12/2018 00:12

Also, as long as it's as clean as you can get it, it's probably not as bad as you think. I went to a friend's student house once and there were actual snails on the wall in the bath and green and black mould - it was like visiting Fungus the Bogeyman!!

JarlBalgruuf · 22/12/2018 11:17

Thanks for the replies. I would guess that the artex is quite old - there are at least three layers of paint that I can see on the walls, and just by how disgusting it is. I will get on at the housing association after Christmas because I don't want my baby breathing asbestos!

I'll try the denture tablets as well, that's a good idea.

I just dont see how I can keep the floor clean when there's artex flaking off all over the place.

OP posts:
FritzyMousey · 22/12/2018 15:10

If you know how to turn the water off you can empty the cistern so you can get in there and give it a proper clean

JarlBalgruuf · 22/12/2018 21:09

Fritzy, I wouldn't have the first clue how to do that! Would probably end up flooding the place or something.

OP posts:
FritzyMousey · 23/12/2018 09:23

Your landlord should show you where it is incase you ever have a flood. www.affinitywater.co.uk/how-to-video-finding-your-inside-stop-tap.aspx

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