black spots

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:33 pm

hi all.im new to the forum and it looks impressive,lots of helpful tips.i have a problem in my newly built bungalow of only 3 yrs.since we moved in there is blacky grey spots(patches)coming in the ceilings of the bedrooms and living room and kitchen.its like a fungus or a mould or something.the walls are fine maybe apart from an inch down from the ceiling where the spots slighty appear also.has any of ye come across anything like this or know what it is or better still,know of any cure?thanks in advance.

maurice.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:37 pm

Hi and welcome to uhm.

Is it possible to post some pictures of the problem?

It does sound like mould, which can often be caused by poor ventillation in the rooms.

I doubt it is a damp problem as the house is so new, unless it was built by some dodgy workmen.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:39 pm

I forgot to post a link to the page on the subject of condensation-

condensation

Gadget · Post by **Gadget** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:04 pm

How long had the property been empty when you moved in?

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:08 pm

thanks for the replys lads.got the photos on.the photos are not very clear as recently i cleaned the ceiling and the blacking process is only coming back again.see what ye think anyhow.

Welsh Decorator · Post by **Welsh Decorator** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:27 pm

Looks like typical condensation to me, any ideas as to how much insulation there is over the ceilings?

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 8:01 pm

there is insulation over the ceiling but i woundnt
say the builder used a roll too much if you know what i mean.there is the odd spot where i can see the slab board in the attic,just the odd spot.would the condensation come down the walls a slight bit also as the spots come maybe an inch or two down from the ceiling on the walls?

maurice.

Welsh Decorator · Post by **Welsh Decorator** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:15 pm

Sounds like my house at the minute, odd walls I've got condesation 6ft up!
There is one way to slow it down, and that is to raise the temp of the ceiling and walls, in other words make then more thermally effective.

Very thick paper ect, or improve the ventilation, or like me, get a good dessicant dehumidifier.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:30 pm

Is there any ventillation in the room?

Do the windows get condensation on them?

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:31 pm

not much ventilation.the windows get opened a bit now and again.no vents on the walls.yes,condensation does come on the windows during the night in the kids rooms.in me and wifes room there is alot of condensation some mornings,more mornings there would be none,is this normal?

Condensation does depend on several factors.

You could do with either increasing the ventilation in the rooms, or get a dehumidifier.

Ventillation is the best option as dehumidifiers can dry the house out too much and give you a sore throat, although I have one and use it fairly regularly.

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 9:15 pm

dont know how the last 4 lines of my last post got there as i know nothing about hummidifiers.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:47 am

mm1 wrote:dont know how the last 4 lines of my last post got there as i know nothing about hummidifiers.

My fault,

Looks like I hit the edit button instead of the quote button and so it looks like you posted it

These are my reply-

Condensation does depend on several factors.

You could do with either increasing the ventilation in the rooms, or get a dehumidifier.

Ventillation is the best option as dehumidifiers can dry the house out too much and give you a sore throat, although I have one and use it fairly regularly.

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 9:09 am

dont worry bout it.i was starting to think i was going mad.

.is condensation on the windows a bad sign or is it just because of bad ventilation?i thought the new double glazed windows should never condensate.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:20 am

mm1 wrote:dont worry bout it.i was starting to think i was going mad. .is condensation on the windows a bad sign or is it just because of bad ventilation?i thought the new double glazed windows should never condensate.

Double glazed windows are not as bad as single glazed windows, but it still happens in lots of cases.

In a lot of new houses now they actually put vents in the windows, so that you can ventilate the room.

Are there any chimneys in the rooms, that are no longer used?

You can often use a disused chimney as a vent, provided the chimney is not capped off outside.

mm1 · Post by **mm1** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:10 pm

the sitting room has a chimney that we havent used in 2 years.there is a stove there.i suppose the only cure for the bedrooms is either open the windows or put in vents.is it a hard or expensive job to put vents in the windows?