Mould or dirt condensating (as the agent claims)?

[ldnflatbuyer2021]

Hi,

I've went for a second viewing on a top floor flat built in 1980s and I am not sure whether there is mould in the corners of this flat (which I've raised to the agent/owners) or this is just dirt condensating (as the estate agent claims).

I am concerned if it's a real problem with mould that it also went to the walls, there is a roof issue...

Also this is a top floor apartment - so just under the roof.

Photos:

imgur.com/gallery/C3WVYc3

Should I hire a surveyor or damp specialist to check this?

Dirt doesn't condense in corners. In fact, I've never heard of dirt condensing.

That is mould/damp caused most likely by damaged or missing guttering or damaged external wall/roof letting rain in.

My gut says mould from condensation. An inadequately ventilated room. I had this in an old flat and once cleaned and I was looking after the place properly it was fine.

If you're buying you should get a survey done anyway and ask them to specifically look at this issue you have seen.

If it is indeed surface mould from condensation you'll be able to prevent it.

Vapour in the air will consist of pure water that's evaporated from somewhere. When it condenses on a cold surface the condensation that forms is also pure water. It's the same sequence of physical processes used to produce pure water or other substances) by distillation. I wouldn't think "dirt" could evaporate in the first place, so it certainly can't condense on a surface. If there are black marks on the walls and ceiling where condensation forms, it's almost certainly mould-related.

That said, if the mould is relatively minor I wouldn't necessarily let it out me off. Condensation is usually related to lifestyle factors like drying clothes indoors or cooking without using suitable ventilation.

I'd still consider the flat but I'd budget for some redecoration and possibly improvements to reduce the risk of recurrence - for example, upgrading the bathroom extractor fan and cooker hood, or installing a tumble dryer (or better still a washing line outdoors) so you don't have to leave wet clothes all over the flat.

Lol at dirt condensating.

That is mould/mildew, possibly gathering in top corners as the insulation isn't reaching so there's a cold spot.

If you really like the flat or it's the only one in budget and are prepared to do the things that will help reduce its return (heating, ventilating, insulation) then it might be worth getting a surveyor to check it out. But if other flats are available I'd give it a swerve, and I say that as someone who lives in an old damp house through choice!

That there is black mould.

Thank you everyone.
It's a nice flat - but indeed a top floor flat directly under the roof.

Furthermore from the photos you can see this weird thing in-between the roof gutters and top of the window.

That's definitely mould. I lived in a badly designed housing association flat and have become obsessed with this issue! Agree wit CasperGutman

That is back mould

That's mould. It's almost certainly caused by condensation as penetrating damp normally causes salts to leach out of the wall which prevent mould growing. You'd probably need to increase ventilation and/or run a dehumidifier but it's possible the current occupants are living in a way that is causing high humidity. You'd also want to look into insulating that area. I'd walk away though in your position - we had little bit of black mould around the windows in our last place and I ended up under the care of a respiratory consultant - my chest is so much better now we're out of there.

If it’s just dirt, you’ll be able to wipe it away easily enough.
Go again with some wet wipes.

I’d say condensation mould too. If it were a leaking roof it wouldn’t just be in each corner.

@21Flora

I’d say condensation mould too. If it were a leaking roof it wouldn’t just be in each corner.

@21Flora what do you mean by that? What is the alternative ie. what would it be called? I also thought you'd get condensation mould from a leaking roof

It's mould caused by condensation in the room. We had it in our old house - despite having cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, leaving windows open etc etc...... It can be dealt with - but if there is an option of a flat without....then go for that.

@Mumdiva99

It's mould caused by condensation in the room. We had it in our old house - despite having cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, leaving windows open etc etc...... It can be dealt with - but if there is an option of a flat without....then go for that.

So the solution is to try and control with ventilation/dehumidifier etc. and clean the mould from the walls from time to time? It's usually not too hard to clean it.

It's not too hard to wipe away off the painted walls. But the rubber around our windows also got it. We also got it on the backs of curtains too and it stained.

We might have controlled it better if we had a dehumidifier running all the time. It definitely improved when I got an extractor fan in the bathroom.
My upstairs windows didn't have trickle vents above them these might also have helped.

It's just tiring and an effort....you have to wipe as soon as there is any damp. And don't let up. Ours was 5 of us in a 3 bed end of terrace. So shouldn't have been that bad but it was. Now we've moved to a house without it and it is lovely.

i'm going for roof issues, as on one of those photos you have a ventilation brick right next to the start of some mould. If the vent was patent, then airflow wouldn't cause too much issue with condensation? Are other flats in the block the same (on lower floors)? If not, then it's the roof.

I just wouldn't buy this place, mould is a bloody nuisance.

We had a problem like that in a flat we used to live in (top floor on corner) - that to me suggests there is a leak in the roof or similar which will need looking at and repairing

As its a block of flats I would proceed with caution - look into the arrangements for administration of the freehold as you will probably need the freeholder to inspect the roof and repair it which can be a hassle (but the cost will be shared with all the other flat owners)

@ldnflatbuyer2021

Thank you everyone. It's a nice flat - but indeed a top floor flat directly under the roof.

Furthermore from the photos you can see this weird thing in-between the roof gutters and top of the window.

That's eaves ventilation to let air flow into the roof space. Is there access to the roof space so you can check if there are any issues up there?