Please help:( - don't know where to start with damp problem

[ThereMustAndShallBeTea]

We live in a 60s (probably) ex council red brick semi. Our bedroom is upstairs, furthest from the party wall and the shorter external wall has horrific mould all over it. Most of the wall is covered with a massive Ikea wardrobe, there is also a small constantly damp window. Other walls are fine.

The house was flooded for a while before we moved in and damp course people did mention damp might be an issue but on completely different ground floor wall (which is fine, although we didn't get damp course put in).

Haven't been outside to check whether gutter is leaking but damp is only in our room. Similarly, there was a pipe running along the bottom of the affected wall to an outside loo (now demolished) but would expect this to leak down rather than up.

DH thinks it's just condensation from us breathing at night that's condensing on the wall. He's put some foam camping mats behind the wardrobe to partly fill the gap and thinks it's fine. I don't think he realises how much mould there is and feel as though it's being left to me to worry about/sort out and am feeling completely overwhelmed. I don't even know where to start. Also, we're broke. Any suggestions, please?

there might be draught-gaps between the floor and the walls. One of the purposes of skirting boards is to hide this gap. You could perhaps stuff it with mineral wool, as used for loft insulation. Get the brown variety, treated with Ecose (is will be on the wrapper) which does nor shed irritant dust and fibres. I will never use yellow fibreglass again.

sorry, wrong thread

We are having the same problem in our father in laws house. Three outside walls and a built in wardrobe up against the wall on one of them that cannot be moved. I noticed the mould yesterday crawling around in the back of one side... cleaned it out with bleach, dried, then coated and wiped it down with white vinegar. We do have a dehumidifier running 24-7 and crack windows/curtains.

Is the only solution to remove that thing completely? The father in law who owns the house doesn't think its necessary, but you can press you hand on the back panel and you can tell that somethings wet and living back there. Its gross and my winter asthma is off the charts trying to deal with it!

heating and ventilation and moving away furniture from cold walls. all good!
btw in central europe houses are generally draught proof with double/triple glazed upvc windows without vents.
when you rent a place there attached to your contract is a 'ventilation table' that sets out how long you should open windows each day.
ime it is more effective to open all windows for 10 min every day a couple of times than having a constant draft from drafty windows/doors/fireplaces. keeps the house warmer using less energy as well.

Following with interest. Good luck, OP, and sympathy. FWIW I'm dealing with damp caused by a water pipe leak. The pipe is to be replaced.

Do you dry clothes or towels on your bedroom radiator? This can effect dampness in a poorly ventilated room. Moving the wardrobe is a good start. You can get good mold resistant paint and paper over it when dry but, the best way is to knock the plaster off and replaster.

Look into positive input ventilation on t'internet. This can really help.

Zombie thread!