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Original poster

Huge mould patch behind wardrobe

28 replies

Blissbiz · 02/08/2021 20:39

I've found the most disgusting black mould patch behind my wardrobe. It's huge maybe 4ft x 4ft.
The wardrobe was pushed tight to the wall and it's solid on the floor, also the top of the wardrobe had stuff on top pushed on the wall. I've cleaned it with dettol mould removal and I can't believe it has come off. But what do I do now?I can't believe I didn't smell it, the humidity is 70% in the room which I think is quite high? I've ordered a dehumidifier, currently airing it out with windows open and obviously haven't pushed it back to the wall. My dd has had a cough for the last few weeks and most nights she sleeps with me I feel terrible. Will this of caused the cough and if the mould has gone should the cough go too? Any advice to get rid of mould/bleach smell would be good too

OP posts:
ArthurApples · 02/08/2021 20:44

If it's on an outside wall furniture gets cold behind, causes condensation and then mould grows on dust on the wall too, move it if you can to another part of the room, if you've got room for a rearrange. I can't keep amy big furniture on outside walls, damp old house, worth a try.

justabigdisco · 02/08/2021 20:51

This kept happening to me until I started opening the windows every single day and leaving them open as much as possible (not easy as my husband appears to be allergic to fresh air and goes around closing windows after I open them)

Original poster
Blissbiz · 02/08/2021 20:59

To be honest I don't open them as much as I should but I am now!! It's not an outside wall but it's quite a big room and the radiator is on the other side of the room so not sure if its getting enough heat either unfortunately I can't fit it on any other wall because of radiator and windows

OP posts:
PantsandBoots · 02/08/2021 21:11

You should try to reduce the amount of furniture in the room to allow for good air circulation and especially avoid putting furniture along the outside wall.

MrsSkylerWhite · 02/08/2021 21:13

You need to have your little one checked for asthma, mould spores are a common trigger.

Open your windows regularly and spray the area with stain stop.

Do you rent, landlord needs to check source if so.

Pilatesteacheruk · 02/08/2021 21:17

You need good air flow so make sure windows are always open even just a little bit. Ideally reduce the size of the wardrobe but if you can't, make sure it's not jam packed with stuff, again let the air circulate.

It's really common, hardly a landlord issue, as it's almost always lack of air flow.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 02/08/2021 21:18

Leave at least a three inch gap between the wardrobe and the wall to allow air circulation.

addictedtotheflats · 02/08/2021 21:19

This happens behind my couch in my front room, we redecorated about 6 months ago and i pulled the couch out the other day and there was thick black mould about 1.5 inches above the skirting boards, i just wiped it off and moved the couch away from the wall a bit, definitely lack of air flow.

MurielSpriggs · 02/08/2021 21:21

Do you rent, landlord needs to check source if so.

The source is usually the inhabitants.

Original poster
Blissbiz · 02/08/2021 21:28

No we don't rent. I don't have an extractor fan in the kitchen which backs onto this wall. I've ordered one today! Sounds like no air flow is the problem

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 02/08/2021 21:43

Don’t forget you’ll also need to clean the back of the wardrobe. Just keep the wardrobe a few inches away from the wall and don’t stuff things on top of it so the airflow can circulate behind it.

PigletJohn · 02/08/2021 22:01

damp behind furniture is usually condensation, caused by excess water vapour from wet washing, bathrooms, and breathing, worsened by insufficient ventilation, but this is a funny time for it.

What is on the other side of the wall? Is there a bathroom, a spilling gutter, or a leaking pipe?

Original poster
Blissbiz · 02/08/2021 22:30

@PigletJohn the other side of the wall is the kitchen, I don't have an extractor fan but have now ordered one, could the steam and moisture be coming through the wall? I suspect this has been there for some time it was thick black mold

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 02/08/2021 23:06

black mould is probably condensation, yes.

you need to ventilate the bedroom as well.

do you drape wet washing indoors? this is the worst cause of damp in UK homes.

have you ordered the extractor yet? what sort are you thinking of getting?

having an extractor in a bathroom or kitchen creates slight suction which prevents steam drifing round the house, because the airflow is drawn into the steamy room. They work better with the doors and windows closed, unless you live in an airtight submarine.

Whatsnewpussyhat · 02/08/2021 23:12

Do you dry your hair in the bedroom near the wardrobe?
This happened to me and the source was me blow drying my hair every day causing the condensation.

Terminallysleepdeprived · 02/08/2021 23:22

As others have said this is mostly likely caused by condensation.

Move the wardrobe off off wall, if it is heavy and needs the support try fitting batons on the wall and then bolt the wardrobe to that as it will allow airflow.

Condensation causes mildew to form, not massively harmful but if your dd already has a condition. Such as asthma it can in extreme circumstances cause some issues but from What you ha e described it seems unlikely.

I used to be a repairs manager for a big rental company, drying clothes indoors, poor ventilation and not adequately heating the house are the primary causes. Keep windows open as much as possible, I leave mine on the vent nearly all year round.

Make sure you are using a mould and mildew killer and not a bleach cleaner. Bleach won't kill it, it will only make it whiter.

Original poster
Blissbiz · 03/08/2021 07:41

@pigletjohn I was getting one that extracts outside rather than recirculates is that right?

OP posts:
Original poster
Blissbiz · 03/08/2021 07:44

@Whatsnewpussyhat actually that is the corner of the room I dry my hair as well! Thanks I hadn't thought of that

OP posts:
HalzTangz · 03/08/2021 07:48

Make sure you keep a gap between the wardrobe and wall to allow the air to circulate.
Humidifier would help, you could also by some antimould paint and paint the patch behind the wardrobe.
Open window every day

Whatsnewpussyhat · 03/08/2021 08:24

[quote Blissbiz]@Whatsnewpussyhat actually that is the corner of the room I dry my hair as well! Thanks I hadn't thought of that[/quote]
When you get the dehumidifier, have it on while drying your hair and after.
On mine I can set it to the humidity I want as too dry affects my sinuses/asthma as much as the damp.

If it's damp or raining outside though, keep windows shut whilst dehumidifier is on, otherwise you will just be be paying to suck up the moisture from outside rather than your room.

PigletJohn · 03/08/2021 09:26

[quote Blissbiz]@pigletjohn I was getting one that extracts outside rather than recirculates is that right?[/quote]
yes, extraction is essential

sounds like you mean a cooker hood.

have you got an extractor fan in the bathroom too?

Original poster
Blissbiz · 03/08/2021 09:53

Yes I meant a cooker hood . No there's no fan in the bathroom either, it's a really old 1850s house and I suppose we've silled it up to keep it warm bit caused another problem instead!

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 03/08/2021 14:06

if you're having someone in to drill the kitchen wall for a hood, get them to drill for a bathroom extractor as well.

preferably furthest from the door and closest to the bath or shower. Not directly above it unless the fan and electrical connections are at least 2250mm above floor level.

if the cost of installing a fan is a prob, you can have a duct and a hit-and-miss vent which is something like a closeable airbrick, and fit a fan later.

Original poster
Blissbiz · 03/08/2021 20:33

@Soontobe60 thank you, I checked the back if the wardrobe this morning and the back stunk of damp I thought it was still the wall! So now new backing on and no more smell. Thanks for everyone's help, definitely some work to do to stop it happening again

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 03/08/2021 22:30

@PigletJohn

black mould is probably condensation, yes.

you need to ventilate the bedroom as well.

do you drape wet washing indoors? this is the worst cause of damp in UK homes.

have you ordered the extractor yet? what sort are you thinking of getting?

having an extractor in a bathroom or kitchen creates slight suction which prevents steam drifing round the house, because the airflow is drawn into the steamy room. They work better with the doors and windows closed, unless you live in an airtight submarine.

@PigletJohn Quick question - do you mean that I should make sure my bathroom window and door is closed in order for the extractor to work more efficiently? I have a small bathroom and usually open the window wide after a shower to clear the condensation. The extractor comes on with the light.