Moisture in cupboard under stairs

Steve773 · Post by **Steve773** » Fri Oct 01, 2021 10:18 pm

Hi guys,

Recently bought a home, been here around 1 week and noticed an earthy smell inside the cupboard under the stairs.

This is where the electrics is located. My knowledge isn't great with this however the texture under the laid down flooring feels like cement, parts of it feel slightly damp (barely). I lifted the matt up which is currently covering it and took pictures which I will provide with this post.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas on where to start or can advise on best things to do? Anyone else experienced something like this or similar?

The cupboard isn't near any moist appliances as far as I'm aware however circulation is probably bad under there. I've left the cupboard door open to help air it out and will place a dehumidifier there to absorb any excess moisture from the air.

Thanks in advance.

Rorschach · Post by **Rorschach** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 6:46 am

Damp coming up through the floor and being trapped under the vinyl flooring as evidenced by the black spots. How old is the house?

It doesn't take a lot of moisture in an enclosed space to cause a bit of a whiff and mouldy spots, but luckily that usually means it's easy to solve too.

Steve773 · Post by **Steve773** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 7:48 am

Hey thanks for the response.

The property was built in the 1920s. When you say coming through the floor would this usually indicate a more serious concern such as leaking pipes?

The texture on the concrete doesn't feel very wet but yeah there's something up as you can see due to the mould and mild patches of dampness.

I plan on cleaning the space out, aiming a fan in there to assist with air circulation, and putting a in a dehumidifier for any excess moisture in the air. Would you say these steps sound reasonable? Also I'll book a mould specialist to have a look. However don't just want mould removed if there's other potential problems causing this.

yartin · Post by **yartin** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 8:07 am

Are there any vents?
It could be due to lack of ventilation. Check if brick vents are blocked.

Rorschach · Post by **Rorschach** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:07 am

Steve773 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 7:48 am Hey thanks for the response.

The property was built in the 1920s. When you say coming through the floor would this usually indicate a more serious concern such as leaking pipes?

The texture on the concrete doesn't feel very wet but yeah there's something up as you can see due to the mould and mild patches of dampness.

I plan on cleaning the space out, aiming a fan in there to assist with air circulation, and putting a in a dehumidifier for any excess moisture in the air. Would you say these steps sound reasonable? Also I'll book a mould specialist to have a look. However don't just want mould removed if there's other potential problems causing this.

If you had a leak there would be more moisture than that I think. Concrete floors always wick up a bit of moisture and they tend to suck it up from the surrounding area. Any vinyl floor I have lifted from a concrete floor has always been a bit mouldy underneath.

I think your problem is most likely just a lack of ventilation in there.

Steve773 · Post by **Steve773** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 12:17 pm

yartin wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 8:07 am Are there any vents?
It could be due to lack of ventilation. Check if brick vents are blocked.

Yeah ventilation does seem very poor, and that's a good suggestion I'll check and brick vents for potential blockage thanks :)

Steve773 · Post by **Steve773** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 12:24 pm

Grea

Rorschach wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:07 am
Steve773 wrote: ↑Sat Oct 02, 2021 7:48 am Hey thanks for the response.

The property was built in the 1920s. When you say coming through the floor would this usually indicate a more serious concern such as leaking pipes?

The texture on the concrete doesn't feel very wet but yeah there's something up as you can see due to the mould and mild patches of dampness.

I plan on cleaning the space out, aiming a fan in there to assist with air circulation, and putting a in a dehumidifier for any excess moisture in the air. Would you say these steps sound reasonable? Also I'll book a mould specialist to have a look. However don't just want mould removed if there's other potential problems causing this.
If you had a leak there would be more moisture than that I think. Concrete floors always wick up a bit of moisture and they tend to suck it up from the surrounding area. Any vinyl floor I have lifted from a concrete floor has always been a bit mouldy underneath.

I think your problem is most likely just a lack of ventilation in there.

Thanks again man, I'll give ventilation and cleaning a go and see if issue persists.

Do you have any advise besides extra ventilation on how to minimise the moisture brought up from concrete towards the vinyl? Or any flooring which would be best to lay down ontop the concrete as I'm assuming some may be better in this type of situation than vinyl?

Rorschach · Post by **Rorschach** » Sat Oct 02, 2021 1:05 pm

I'd stick with the vinyl, improve the ventilation and see how you get on. Giving the cupboard and really good clean and a couple of coats of a mould resistant paint would help too.