Really cold bedroom and condensation

[MotherOfRatios]

Hi!
I bought a doer-uper earlier this year and I've done a lot of repairs but one thing I haven't yet done is repair the windows or radiators.
but in the bedroom, I don't use. I noticed some mould on the skirting board this morning I have since removed it but the wall was really cold and had condensation my wall in my bedroom that I use sometimes just get cold but not as cold as that back bedroom. I haven't got round to renovate that room yet.

But I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks to prevent? It's a really cold room, but it does face the wind. I turn my heating on when it gets to 17 and heat the home until it's 20 (naturally I prefer a cooler home)

it's a 1960s flat

Thanks

Get a dehumidifuer. I have a Meaco and it collects so much water.

Second the dehumidifier.

I came on to say a dehumidifier! It will be necessary if you’re drying laundry inside the flat

I have an upstairs and a downstairs and my washing is dried in a tumble dryer the bedroom is empty bar a few makeup and skincare items. No clothes are dried in there.

I'll try this actually because I don't always want to have the heating on because I'm quite a warm blooded person but it seems to be that I need to have the heating on to keep that room warm

It's really expensive but this stuff is highly effective:

https://www.brewers.co.uk/product/AE0119030F

My whole wall had gone mouldy before, but after washing down the walls with an anti mould spray and then repainting with this they have been fine ever since.

I'd check the insulation if you can, I once lived in a room like that but it was in an extension and the insulation hadn't been done properly in that part. Dehumidifier is important, airing the room regularly, keeping it warm and just being mindful of what moisture is going into the house in general (laundry, shower, hairdryer etc) as hot air rises so will lift any moisture with it even from downstairs. It takes a full house approach.

Can you paint a colour over this?

It's strange as the room is cold, but it's just the external wall that is really cold, I did think about having thermal plastering done

We also have a Meaco dehumidifier which has been excellent for the bedroom (also love the white noise) and the clothes dry function

You can get it made up in any colour you want - all the Dulux trade colours are available:

https://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/en/colours/filters/c_15623

Meaco dehumidifier here too. We have it on the humidistat option set at 50%, as soon as humidity rises above that it kicks in then turns itself off again. It's on the landing and we have bedrooms ajar overnight, no condensation on our windows, it clears the whole first floor

It might help to have the radiator re- sited to be on the external wall if it’s not there already. Also to double glaze the windows.

Agree with pp that you need a dehumidifier. Use it lots. Or get an ebac one and leave it on smart setting.
I'd also think about an infra red heating panel. I don't know if you can leave them on at night but I have one in the lounge and they give off a really lovely heat and quickly warm a room. Not expensive to run.

Can you check the gutter on the outside of that room? If it's leaking a bit then the wall could be wet and that can make a room really cold.

Dehumidifier, I think moisture naturally gravitates to colder spots and condenses I’d also bleed radiator and see if that helps. Sometimes the pipe work to radiators needs replaced in oldef ptoperties.

Good point re the gutters.

I would not rush out to purchase and run a dehumidifier too quickly. They are expensive to operate, need attention and are not going to help unless you are in a very steamy environment (showering with no adequate ventilation, cooking with lids of perpetually, clothes drying etc.)

If this is room that is not used (perhaps you keep the door to the room mainly closed, and the radiator turned off, and windows shut), it could do with regular airing - that is ventilating. Ventilate the room regularly, AND to get rid of mould use a bleach based diluted solution to clean the walls/skirting board, and focus on any mould spots. Avoid "spreading" the mould spores around as you clean, use kitchen roll and bin it afterwards. Vacuum and attend to this room like the ones you do use.

Keep the inside of the windows (the sills and edge of glass to frame areas) spotlessly clean, especially if prone to condensation and clean anyway. Mould is a natural thing, but to keep at bay you need to clean and ventilate. Also, try not to keep futuniture of belongings shoved tight up against the walls, as again it block the ventilation needed.

Structually, check any balcony (if it is a flat with one) is draining correctly, as balconies that collect water when it rains have water back flow towards the exterior wall from which they protrude. No vegetation should be "overgrowing" on exterior walls. No "crap" stored up again walls such as old bits of board, bags of compost, crates etc etc. Do not plant with earth up a wall in wall planters. All stops the exterior wall from drying out. Check for cracks in exterior plaster, and poorly fitting windows - or gaps around windows and door frames. If you do get them corrected by a good professional as bodging it will make matters worse. Moisture can enter, also as you say, from prevailing penetration (i.e. wind driven rain) consider treating with product such as StormDry. This can be a real problem for coastal properties with poorly maintained exteriors (roof, guttering, chimney pointing and flashing etc, etc,). If you have cavity wall insulation, it can clump and bridge your damp proof course so moisture just comes through from outside to inside wall. You will likely get a cold spot on a wall where moisture (condensation) musters, and any dust in the room will stick to the damp and give you mould issues.

They're not expensive to run. As for the rest of your blather, words fail me.

@BethButton isn't spouting blather @justasking111. She is wrong about dehumidifiers and bleach isn't the best cleaner for mould but she does make some good points.

It is there but it needs replacing and the windows upstairs have blown hence need replacing

Yes there is cavity brick wall
nothing is against the room as the room is totally empty I plan it to be in my office room, but I just haven't got round to doing that room.

I have a fake balcony as in there's a space, but you can't access it unless you climb out of the window (it's safe but a hassle) I have noticed there is a weed on the balcony and I wondered if that's why the water isn't draining away.

The door is always closed in that room and I barely enter it really. I opened the window first thing this morning in that room and I'll close it this evening or when I put the heating on and I'll start opening the door in there a bit more

We have 2 windows that get condesation - have solved one by extractor fan in bathroom which its by. A dehumidifier does work for the other room - ventilation helps so not having door shut. You can get mould spray to get rid of mould. I would prefer a different solution to dehumidifier but it does solve the issue for now. We have found a heater alone we still get it.

This is your problem. Leave the door open, and the window open a crack and you won't have an issue again.