Hello,
one room in my apartment is located on the exterior wall, and it is not only colder there but also mold is forming. What can I do about this? Would it make sense to try insulating the wall from the inside? The mold is not only unsightly but probably unhealthy as well. What should I do?
one room in my apartment is located on the exterior wall, and it is not only colder there but also mold is forming. What can I do about this? Would it make sense to try insulating the wall from the inside? The mold is not only unsightly but probably unhealthy as well. What should I do?
Hello Olaf,
I don’t want to cause unnecessary alarm, but mold growth on walls always indicates moisture. This means that either moisture is entering the wall from outside, or (as is quite common in new buildings) it is due to insufficient air circulation caused by improper ventilation – which you can often tell if condensation is already forming on the windows. The very first step should be to check, or have checked, where the moisture is coming from, and only then can you determine what specific actions you need to take. :-)
I don’t want to cause unnecessary alarm, but mold growth on walls always indicates moisture. This means that either moisture is entering the wall from outside, or (as is quite common in new buildings) it is due to insufficient air circulation caused by improper ventilation – which you can often tell if condensation is already forming on the windows. The very first step should be to check, or have checked, where the moisture is coming from, and only then can you determine what specific actions you need to take. :-)
Hello,
it would definitely be better to insulate the wall from the outside rather than the inside. Also, simply covering the mold is not enough, as the mold is already spread throughout the entire space and releases spores into the whole home. This is harmful to health and can cause allergies.
it would definitely be better to insulate the wall from the outside rather than the inside. Also, simply covering the mold is not enough, as the mold is already spread throughout the entire space and releases spores into the whole home. This is harmful to health and can cause allergies.
H
Herbert-119 Nov 2008 13:11Hello,
I also believe that insulating the wall from the inside is not effective. If you live in a rental apartment, it is the landlord’s responsibility to deal with this. Besides, it must be very cold where you are, and I would consider reducing the rent. Mold is always a valid reason for a rent reduction.
I also believe that insulating the wall from the inside is not effective. If you live in a rental apartment, it is the landlord’s responsibility to deal with this. Besides, it must be very cold where you are, and I would consider reducing the rent. Mold is always a valid reason for a rent reduction.
B
BauLine-121 Nov 2008 00:15Olaf, without a detailed description of the type of apartment or even your own house, it is difficult to determine the cause. The fact is, mold develops on damp building components, regardless of whether it is due to missing external insulation causing a thermal bridge or incorrect occupant behavior. This should be your first point to check!
Rooms should always maintain a certain temperature, both the air and, importantly, the walls, meaning the building element itself. If the room is cold, the air is humid, and this moist air then comes into contact with a cold wall, condensation forms there, which over time leads to mold growth.
In a rental apartment, this would not justify a rent reduction but rather be grounds for compensation to the landlord due to improper use of the rental property, meaning you would be liable for the damage caused. A rent reduction is out of the question.
If you cannot identify the cause yourself, consult a building professional on site and have the situation that led to the infestation checked before further damage occurs (including to your health).
Rooms should always maintain a certain temperature, both the air and, importantly, the walls, meaning the building element itself. If the room is cold, the air is humid, and this moist air then comes into contact with a cold wall, condensation forms there, which over time leads to mold growth.
In a rental apartment, this would not justify a rent reduction but rather be grounds for compensation to the landlord due to improper use of the rental property, meaning you would be liable for the damage caused. A rent reduction is out of the question.
If you cannot identify the cause yourself, consult a building professional on site and have the situation that led to the infestation checked before further damage occurs (including to your health).
M
mark tm-111 Feb 2011 11:07Hello. I read your post and I’m interested to know what solution you found.
My neighbors have a similar problem. Their house is a timber frame construction with exterior plaster. There were many construction defects caused by the timber construction company, which they have now repaired through extensive renovation and remodeling work (after 7 years). However, I am skeptical, because they now have a new roof structure, partially new exterior insulation, and what I believe are rigid foam boards installed on the outside.
What really stands out to me is that now, during the cold season, there is even more condensation visible on the windows than before—really extreme. I estimate about 15 to definitely up to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) of moisture rising from the windowsill into the window itself in the morning.
In my opinion, something is seriously wrong. And with so much moisture around the window areas, it also spreads into areas that are not visible.
If it were my house, I would hire an independent expert to investigate the root cause and then take action.
What did you do, and what was the result?
My neighbors have a similar problem. Their house is a timber frame construction with exterior plaster. There were many construction defects caused by the timber construction company, which they have now repaired through extensive renovation and remodeling work (after 7 years). However, I am skeptical, because they now have a new roof structure, partially new exterior insulation, and what I believe are rigid foam boards installed on the outside.
What really stands out to me is that now, during the cold season, there is even more condensation visible on the windows than before—really extreme. I estimate about 15 to definitely up to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) of moisture rising from the windowsill into the window itself in the morning.
In my opinion, something is seriously wrong. And with so much moisture around the window areas, it also spreads into areas that are not visible.
If it were my house, I would hire an independent expert to investigate the root cause and then take action.
What did you do, and what was the result?
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