Anyone with experience of fungus spores?

[missyburd]

This is a looooong post, back out now if you have no time to read :-P

The room next door to me has mouldy walls next to the window, and has had for some time now. A few months at least. The room is tiny and therefore doesn't get much ventilation and there's no doubt a lot of moisture from his washing when it's hung up to dry. The radiators are on for 4 hours a day which contributes to the humidity. And it STINKS. So much so that we've now noticed our flatmate (who's room it is) smells of it, his clothes, everything. He only really notices the smell when he's been away for a few days but he says he just gets used to it :smt104

He won't do anything about it as 1) he's worried the landlady will point the blame at him, 2) force him to pay for the clean up of it and 3) doesn't want the hassle of builders or whatever in and out of his room.

The weird thing is the landlady is actually aware of the problem but doesn't seem to understand the full extent of it. He has a habit of cleaning the mould off the walls (with water mainly) if he knows she's coming to the house so we don't think she's seen it in it's full "glory". But the fact that it's there should instil worry, however, she doesn't seem to be that bothered. Rather odd I think. Also, washing the walls just spreads the mould further as you are effectively "feeding" it and encouraging it to spread. We don't actually know the real cause of it, whether its just moisture from drying laundry or leak somewhere or even rubbish collecting in the room.

It wasn't there when he moved in a year and a half ago and he first mentioned we told him to let her know then but he couldn't be bothered, didn't realize it could get worse and just moved his pillow to the other end of the bed (as he was initially sleeping right next to the corner where it started from!!! ) :-?

We think (my housemate and I) that the fact she paints over the walls ready for new tenants may mean this is a re-occurring problem and would explain why she wouldn't be that fussed about it. However, we've read that painting does NOT solve the problem whatsoever as it just grows back.

Our main concern is the fact he's living that room and not only ingesting the spores on a regular basis but also spreading them about the house. We are now beginning to smell the mould from outside his room with the door shut which would imply that it's getting worse. This has prompted a few web searches on the effects of mould on human health and come up with some quite alarming results. After seeing him today with seemingly red watery eyes and bad skin (he usually has a good complexion by the way!) we are becoming increasingly worried!!!!


SOOOO, do we:

a) just find some sort of cleaning agent such as

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/content/ebiz/wilkinsonplus/invt/0083616/0083616_l.jpg
however taking matters into our hands might become a problem as at the end of the day it's not our property and any damage to walls as a result of treatment could easily be turned round on us!!


or

b) contact the landlady of our own accord and explain it's a serious problem (she may be ignorant of the actual dangers which arise as a result of fungal spores) and suggest she invest in a dehumidifier.

or

c) do both a) and b).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, really do apologise for the huge essay but we need help before we all succumb to the fungal takeover!

Much obliged,

Maria :)

[gettin2dizzy]

Tell the landlord. It's what they're for!

[hovis]

This is a looooong post, back out now if you have no time to read :-P


Maria :)
ok, thanks

[dizzyblonde]

Also get a moisture trap and stand it on the window ledge. Little box, that holds calcium somaat or another crystals, that suck in the moisture of the room, then eventually lats it out into a container underneath. got about 6 in the shed, as metal sheds sweat buckets of water....and it aint' no god for bikes. They do work.....but only if you remember to empty them!

[missyburd]

Also get a moisture trap and stand it on the window ledge. Little box, that holds calcium somaat or another crystals, that suck in the moisture of the room, then eventually lats it out into a container underneath.

Yeah we thought about the crystals but apparently they're not good for large scale problems. A humidifier is the better option apparently. Also it would take a lot of little bags of crystals to sort the problem as the mould covers a quite a large expanse of wall...

Still something to consider but its gonna be quite a big job, might help in the meantime though! :-)

[madness]

I think that the type of mould you describe only grows when fed with clean water. So any dampness on the wall will be from condensation and not from rising damp. rising damp is contaminated by salts. Lack of ventilation is a cause, as are drying clothes in the room and the fact that the walls are cold.

Clean the mould off with water and bleach as it appears and try to ventilate the room. You probably won't totally cure it but it should help to control it.

[missyburd]

Clean the mould off with water and bleach as it appears and try to ventilate the room. You probably won't totally cure it but it should help to control it.
The walls are painted though, wouldn't the bleach cause damage to the walls even though it would be diluted down?

[madness]

Shouldn't do if it's dilute enough, most emulsion paints are designed to be sponged down. Just don't scrub it.

[carty]

Sounds to me like a problem that can't be ignored. Tell the landlady asap as it won't get better on it's own.

I think the wall needs to be stripped back (plaster/ plasterboard taken off or whatever) and you need a dehumidifier in to get rid of the moisture. The brickwork might need treating and then have it all put back together. The problem will get worse the longer it's left.

I wouldn't be happy sleeping next to it- I doubt if whatevers growing there could do you amy serious damage but it's a bit minging!

[dizzyblonde]

A humidifier is the better option apparently.

That'll be a de-humidifier.;) Yes was just going to suggest that if it was a big problem. Matt had one in his house. It worked a treat, that old chapel was like a leaky tap. But it helped a great deal. My parents had one in their bungalow because one of the back bedroom walls used to go black behind one of the wardrobes. You can get em pretty cheap these days.

I'd still have a word with the landlady about it, as you said it could be coming from a problem next door

[missyburd]

That'll be a de-humidifier.;)

Lol oops. I knew what it was :p

Hmm well will have to have a proper chat with him and get him to realise he can't and shouldn't be living like that. We've tried before but he's so laid back, he just won't do owt himself!

[fizzwheel]

Ventilate the room, i.e leave the window open and get a de-humidfier in there.

I'd be trying to find out what the cause of the damp is, if its round the window it might not be from the washing thats being dried in there. No point keep cleaning it off if it keeps coming back you need to get to the actual cause of the problem and fix it properly.

Tell the landlord at the end of the day its their problem.

[dizzyblonde]

Lol oops. I knew what it was :p

Hmm well will have to have a proper chat with him and get him to realise he can't and shouldn't be living like that. We've tried before but he's so laid back, he just won't do owt himself!

its not the filthy pig housemate is it.....:(

[missyburd]

its not the filthy pig housemate is it.....:(
Nope I'd probably leave him to deal with it himself otherwise :-D

This fella's lovely but he just doesn't like doing anything that may require effort, I suppose you could call it laziness but I think the main problem is him just not wanting to "cause a fuss". But seeing as it's probably damaging his health and possibly ours too (apparently the spores will be everywhere, not confined to his room...) we kinda need to step in and take action...


Am really sorry .orgers, I don't mean to keep fobbing off my housemate problems onto you but tis good to get a range of opinions and the .org is very good at that!

Thanks for all the replies so far guys and gals, much appreciated :-)

[kwak zzr]

i get it in my shower room at the tops of the walls and on the ceiling, its lack of ventilation like others have said every now and again i just bleach the walls and ceiling.

[dizzyblonde]

Nope I'd probably leave him to deal with it himself otherwise :-D

This fella's lovely but he just doesn't like doing anything that may require effort, I suppose you could call it laziness but I think the main problem is him just not wanting to "cause a fuss". But seeing as it's probably damaging his health and possibly ours too (apparently the spores will be everywhere, not confined to his room...) we kinda need to step in and take action...


GIVE THE GUY A SLAP:twisted:
Its not causing a fuss its bloody man student lazyitis. Maria get hard with your flatmates, or you'll end up being ill yourself.
Might sound harsh, but they wouldn't be my flatmates for long. You lady, are toooooo soft!

[missyburd]

i get it in my shower room at the tops of the walls and on the ceiling, its lack of ventilation like others have said every now and again i just bleach the walls and ceiling.

The thing is, in a bathroom it's more likely with it constantly being exposed to moisture. But this is his bedroom, the place he spends the majority of his time, he's dealing with it all the time and its just not good for him (or us!).

You lady, are toooooo soft!
If I was soft then I would be following his example and not bothering to do a thing :rolleyes: :p

We've told him time and time again and just hoped he'd get onto it himself but things have gone too far now. He's actually looking a bit ill himself and my other housemate has mentioned she sneezes loads in the mornings and such and she's certainly not ill!

[shonadoll]

I'd contact the landlady, it's a health hazard. Also, has he put something in front of an airbrick-or has the damp-proof course been compromised outside, by earth or anything?

Ventilation is paramount.

[missyburd]

I'd contact the landlady, it's a health hazard. Also, has he put something in front of an airbrick-or has the damp-proof course been compromised outside, by earth or anything?


Airbrick? Do you mean a vent sort of thing? :confused: I've no idea really though it's possible.

I think we may need to don face masks (scarves) and head on in there and try and identify the problem. Something MUST be done!!

[shonadoll]

Airbrick? Do you mean a vent sort of thing? :confused: I've no idea really though it's possible.

I think we may need to don face masks (scarves) and head on in there and try and identify the problem. Something MUST be done!!

If it's a ground floor flat, if theres a damp proof course (you will be able to see a line between the bircks may be) and earth has covered it, that wouldn't help. Also you sometimes find a vent or a brick type thing with holes in, if that's been covered over, again, same problem.

Don't do it yourself, its not a good thing to be breathing in, the landlady should be getting it done-also whether or not your flatmate is bothered, it's going to be affecting your health, it can be really bad for asthmatics.

Even if the landlady doesn't care about her tenants, I'm sure the last thing she wants is a huge job, so if you catch it now it could be something simple.

God I sound like my mother....;)

[dizzyblonde]

If I was soft then I would be following his example and not bothering to do a thing :rolleyes: :p

We've told him time and time again and just hoped he'd get onto it himself but things have gone too far now.

no thats lazy....your too soft.
Telling him or the other one time and time again is obviously falling on deaf ears. Your not getting the message across to them obviously. Just hoping he'd get it into his head, is being submissive. Your going to think I'm beong too harsh, but you live their too, and quite frankly their behaviour or lack of it, is just walking all over you, and the other lass.

Get a grip. Get a pair of jackboots .... I'll lend you a pair.:rolleyes:
Soryy hun, but you know me, I speak my mind, had too many years of being a soft ass....or maybe I'm just old and narky;)

[yorkie_chris]

has the damp-proof course been compromised outside, by earth or anything?

It's on second floor so doubt it.

Side of house this room is on is exposed to strong winds a lot as it faces directly to the sea. Gets a lot of weather.

Landlady needs a kick in the face TBH as I bet it was the same before you moved in and it just got painted over.

[missyburd]

If it's a ground floor flat, if theres a damp proof course (you will be able to see a line between the bircks may be) and earth has covered it, that wouldn't help. Also you sometimes find a vent or a brick type thing with holes in, if that's been covered over, again, same problem.

Even if the landlady doesn't care about her tenants, I'm sure the last thing she wants is a huge job, so if you catch it now it could be something simple.
.

Hmmm we're on the second floor. I have a vent in my room, not sure if he has actually so he could well be blocking it somehow.

Unfortunately the actual mould has been there a few months, possibly even a year am not too sure. It just seems to have got a bit worse as we've noticed the smell outside of his room which is what's prompting us to act on the matter.

[fizzwheel]

Side of house this room is on is exposed to strong winds a lot as it faces directly to the sea. Gets a lot of weather.

So could be water ingress then, if so thats going to want fixing properly...

[missyburd]

no thats lazy....your too soft.
Telling him or the other one time and time again is obviously falling on deaf ears. Your not getting the message across to them obviously. Just hoping he'd get it into his head, is being submissive. Your going to think I'm beong too harsh, but you live their too, and quite frankly their behaviour or lack of it, is just walking all over you, and the other lass.


When I say telling him time again I mean us gently hinting maybe he should tell the landlady about it. A few months ago it wasn't affecting us personally, it was his problem so we didn't see it as much to do with us, more important things to think about. It is only in the last fortnight that we have noticed the smell getting stronger, particularly lingering about him. Now it's becoming our problem and possibly affecting us which is why we are taking steps to sort it out.



Landlady needs a kick in the face TBH as I bet it was the same before you moved in and it just got painted over.

That's what we're suspecting :( Any normal landlord who first set eyes on it would have been taken aback and taken action, she however hasn't told him off about it or done anything about it either which is making us think she is familiar with the problem and just waiting for us to move out in the summer so she can paint over it. I shall be speaking with her this evening about it hopefully.

[shonadoll]

I'd check the vent out first then-it's the most foul smell, mould. I lived in a flat once and the whole place stank, it clings to your clothes, your hair-even our suite when we moved out.

Best of luck.

[missyburd]

I'd check the vent out first then-it's the most foul smell, mould. I lived in a flat once and the whole place stank, it clings to your clothes, your hair-even our suite when we moved out.

Best of luck.
Thanks Shona. It's not pleasant at all, I don't think he's aware he's beginning to smell of it, we will be telling him this evening, not had a chance to chat with him properly for a while :rolleyes:

[dizzyblonde]

That's what we're suspecting :( Any normal landlord who first set eyes on it would have been taken aback and taken action, she however hasn't told him off about it or done anything about it either which is making us think she is familiar with the problem and just waiting for us to move out in the summer so she can paint over it. I shall be speaking with her this evening about it hopefully.

you've obviously either not had many landlords, or you've been lucky. I'll tell you a few stories about a few of mine that I've had in the past, when I see you next week.....then you'll understand why I bought a house so young.:twisted::D

put it this way, as long as you hand money over to them, the rubbish ones really couldn't give a damn what goes on.

[yorkie_chris]

Take lots of pics of it IMO.

[dizzyblonde]

Take lots of pics of it IMO.

+1 done something similar and 'negotiated' rent payments until it was resolved.

[missyburd]

I just remembered actually, his door hasn't shut properly for a few months now, seems the wood has swollen up so it wedges a bit but won't shut completely. Clearly a problem with moisture, don't know why I've only just remembered!

Will get some pics this evening too.

[madness]

That's definately a sign of a damp atmosphere. Get a de-humidifier, make sure air can circulate and keep the heating on a low setting rather than it only being on once or twice a day.

[dizzyblonde]

I just remembered actually, his door hasn't shut properly for a few months now, seems the wood has swollen up so it wedges a bit but won't shut completely. Clearly a problem with moisture, don't know why I've only just remembered!

Will get some pics this evening too.


fliippin heck thats not good....I have visions of work men coming in to have a look under the floor boards and theres giant shroooms under there!

[missyburd]

Ok, just had a long chat with my flatmate. He needed 20 minutes worth of convincing that the mould was through no fault of his own and that it happens loads and can be sorted out without too much hassle. He didn't seem bothered much by the possible health implications, then we mentioned that the mould clings to clothes and hair and that we've noticed the smell around him, THEN he woke up and realized something had to be done :rolleyes:

He's really worried she's going to turn round and tell him its all his fault which we're convinced it isn't but he's still a bit dubious about telling her but has agreed to let her know. If he had his way he wouldn't mention it at all. We've just about managed to convince him it's not his having a messy room which is contributing to it but the moisture. I think as a a historian and not a scientist he finds it a difficult concept to understand, the fact that it spreads by spores etc. Not that I mean that to sound snobbish but he has no idea about fungi and how they spread and such things. Tbh I think that's perhaps the same situation the landlady is in, not knowing exactly what she's dealing with.

I'm getting worried about this because at the end of the day he's a mate and I would be so upset if she somehow managed to turn things round and blame it on him or make him move out the room or something. But I can't keep it from her, it's not right, she needs to know. If it gets worse it will only make him (and us) look bad and then we'll be kissing our £150 deposit goodbye :rolleyes:

Basically the plan will be to give her a ring tomorrow, get her to come round on sunday (give us time to clean up the pigsty :neutral:) and explain the situation. We will suggest the dettol cleaning stuff and check we'll be ok to use it before actually doing so. We'll say we'll try it for a week and if it doesn't seem to have much of an effect then suggest a dehumidifier to be bought for his room.


Oh 'eck, another essay, REALLY sorry guys :oops:

[dizzyblonde]

used the mould n mildew cleaner on wallpaper thats been painted before( I know you shouldn't). It will bring it off, but it has a very bleachy sort of smell. Its either you stare at a black wall or one that has a different shade to the rest....I know which I'd rather have, and whats a tin of paint to the landlady or yourself......at least you've shown you've attempted to keep it to a minimum.

What I'd be interested to know is, if this is happening in your flat, what on earth is happening in the one below, I'd be pretty surprised if it isn't happening down there too....and the route cause is perhaps whatevers going on in or outside the walls of your flat.

Is there a flat above?? it may be coming through from there, if there is one, or even the roof. Water amd damp have very funny ways of getting in and causing trouble. I wasn't joking about the shrrroooms BTW, in my grans old house, there must have been a tiny leak from a pipe in the kitchen under the floor. Which in turn, ended up as dry rot, and they had to strip the entire ground floor of the house, all timber, all walls, down to the brick......my gran and parents still laugh to this day how big those shroooms were hiding away under there!

[missyburd]

used the mould n mildew cleaner on wallpaper thats been painted before( I know you shouldn't). It will bring it off, but it has a very bleachy sort of smell. Its either you stare at a black wall or one that has a different shade to the rest....I know which I'd rather have, and whats a tin of paint to the landlady or yourself......at least you've shown you've attempted to keep it to a minimum.

What I'd be interested to know is, if this is happening in your flat, what on earth is happening in the one below, I'd be pretty surprised if it isn't happening down there too....and the route cause is perhaps whatevers going on in or outside the walls of your flat.

The walls are painted not wallpapered. Mould essentially eats paint so painting over it just masks the problem temporarily. So it is no doubt an underlying problem and one she needs to deal with properly instead of just painting over it. That's if it's occurred before in the past but I guess we shall just have to inquire about that lol.

I don't believe there is actually anyone in the room below, there was in September but she ended up going home due to money problems. So no idea. I don't remember anyone mentioning it though.

[dizzyblonde]

well if the walls are just painted, just spray that stuff all over. If its not a matt paint, but a silk type it shouldn't ( fingers crossed) do owt to it. I've put worse stuff on paint. Thats stuff does eat black mould garantee you on that one, but how long it'll be before it comes back is anyones guess. I've used it and it hasn;t come back for months...but I honestly feel this is a little more seriious, you obviously do too.

[missyburd]

Well we can but give it a try :-) We're definitely not going to use it before we talk to her though, she needs to know we wanted to check with her first otherwise she may turn round and give us a rollicking for putting bleach on the walls :rolleyes:

[dizzyblonde]

what she going to say?

''you've got a mould problem, we've attempted in your best interests to get rid of it''

''oo thankyou very much''

I doubt she'll give you a rollocking for it, come on most housewives reach for the bleach as soon as they see mould....she should be thankful she has thoughtful and resourceful students in, instead of someone who doesn;t give a toss.....I'm feeling though that she don;t give a toss, or she'd have spent money getting the problem fixd instead of hiding it with paint...for the next wave of students with nice cash to come along!

[missyburd]

WOOOO, just had another chat with him and went to inspect his room and we think we've found the problem. His windows are pratically dripping with condensation, some seal must be broken or something. The entire wall, bottom of the curtains and a bit of his bed are mouldy, it's clearly the damp. He now feels a LOT better about the whole situation now I've pointed it out so not only is my conscience at peace now but he's happy with it. I was actually coughing a bit while I was in there it was so bad, couldn't get out quick enough! Now we've brought it to his attention he actually said he can not only smell it but taste it too, so really glad he's got the gist of what we're on about!

Last summer we had scaffolding up outside the house as they were replacing the double glazing (as I'd been complaining about the broken seals :rolleyes: - obviously if you're paying for a sea view with bay windows, you kinda want to be able to see!). Although she replaced ours I can bet she didn't do his and hence the problem.

Anyhoo, me much happier now :-D

[Sally]

Good :)

Smelly men eh? haha

[missyburd]

Good :)

Smelly men eh? haha
hehe yeah, he's a bit vain like that I suppose so I played the smelly card knowing he'd bite :-D

[Sally]

Aye, had to tell my mate recently that he stinks.. Not good haha
Why are we still on the org at 1:14am? haha

[missyburd]

I'm writing up lecture notes, think I should go to bed, got a bus to catch at 9! :rolleyes:

[Sally]

I have no college tomorrow :D

my eyes hurt, been on this bloody comp for too long..

[yorkie_chris]

If it gets worse it will only make him (and us) look bad and then we'll be kissing our £150 deposit goodbye :rolleyes:

Goodbye £150. Hello 10 gallons of unleaded. See who's laughing then.

[454697819]

Open the window and leae the rads on for a week or two, but it sounds like a big problem to be honest, it could be the mastic arround the window has broken down letting water in through the brock work in the reveal.

[missyburd]

Open the window and leae the rads on for a week or two, but it sounds like a big problem to be honest, it could be the mastic arround the window has broken down letting water in through the brock work in the reveal.
Indeed well that's what we're thinking but my flatmate doesn't want them doing work in his room till the summer when he's left which is why our main aim is to try and get rid of the mould.

[dizzyblonde]

Indeed well that's what we're thinking but my flatmate doesn't want them doing work in his room till the summer when he's left which is why our main aim is to try and get rid of the mould.


unfortunately he doesn't have a choice in the matter...the prob needs sorting wether hes in there or not...whats he hiding in there... a lifetime supply of 'gentlemens magazines' under his bed and a blow up doll:smt077

pah...kids :rolleyes:
i am presuming he isn;t the mature student type...i.e beardy weirdo at least 39 yrs old:-D

[missyburd]

pah...kids :rolleyes:
i am presuming he isn;t the mature student type...i.e beardy weirdo at least 39 yrs old:-D

Thanks for that dizz, so not only am I soft but a kid :rolleyes: :p

I admit he's not the maturest of students, not had a job in his life which I find extraordinary. He's 20 years old!

[dizzyblonde]

not you...silly ...him...!!

i'm just painting a certain type of picture in my head of him, that needs a slap...along with the other one you have there...I seem to be thinking that they'd be better off with some sort of pop up mother around to clear up after them! ;-)

[missyburd]

i'm just painting a certain type of picture in my head of him, that needs a slap...along with the other one you have there...I seem to be thinking that they'd be better off with some sort of pop up mother around to clear up after them! ;-)
Tis what they're used to I guess :rolleyes: I refuse to play mother lol but sometimes it just gets too much and I've had to intervene and promptly shove him in the right direction!