ᐅ Interior insulation despite damp walls

Created on: 14 Aug 2014 22:39
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xenie31
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xenie31
14 Aug 2014 22:39
This concerns an apartment, not a house. But I urgently need help!!!!

Hello, I moved into a new apartment with my children this year, which we had viewed last year while it was still occupied. Before we moved in, the apartment was empty for three months during winter, and when we arrived, we discovered mold in almost every room.

We have a ground-floor apartment, with the basement below, and every room has exterior walls (we occupy the entire floor). Our building must be at least 50 years old or older.

There is no insulation at all. When it’s windy, if I hold my long hair against the wall, it blows away.

I would like to insulate the apartment from the inside inexpensively since moving is currently not an option due to cost. I believe only the masonry walls, which were wallpapered, are present.

It is almost freezing in the apartment almost every day. We have extremely high humidity in most rooms, which causes further mold growth.

For example, if I leave the windows open for a long time in the evening during summer to create a draft, the bed sheets are damp again by the next morning.

The current situation is very stressful because I primarily want to avoid any health risks for the children.

If I don’t take the mattresses outside to air every other day, I fear they will develop mold.

I think the high humidity is caused by the constant warm and cold cycle, right?

Today it was about 15–16°C (59–61°F) outside, and inside the apartment it was at most 18°C (64°F). When it’s 30°C (86°F) outside during the day and the apartment is fully warmed up, it becomes cold immediately when the outside temperature drops (at night).

Could you please advise me on how to insulate from the inside without causing even more mold inside the apartment (for example, behind the insulation)? It should be as affordable as possible.
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xenie31
14 Aug 2014 22:42
I now have to put two pajamas on my little daughter every night during the summer and place her in a thick sleeping bag so that she doesn’t get cold 🙁
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Manu1976
14 Aug 2014 23:04
I’m wondering if moving might actually be more cost-effective.
Insulation plus new wallpaper is definitely not more expensive than moving. Especially since it’s not even clear where the moisture is coming from, so the root cause hasn’t been addressed yet.
I would first talk to the landlord and demand a solution, and reduce the rent until it’s fixed. If the landlord refuses to cooperate, start looking for a new apartment immediately.

Health is priceless! Staying in the apartment long-term will likely make you sick.
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Manu1976
14 Aug 2014 23:06
Cross-ventilation should not last longer than 10-15 minutes. If you ventilate for a longer time, the walls will cool down more, and moisture will condense more easily and quickly.
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xenie31
14 Aug 2014 23:12
The landlord is not doing anything at all. We bought a very expensive kitchen specifically made for the apartment 🙁 I have already spoken with a lawyer... She said the landlord is not obliged to insulate the apartment. I am just keeping longer ventilation during extremely high temperatures so nothing cools down.

What about insulating plaster? Can no one give me any advice?
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Manu1976
14 Aug 2014 23:21
First, the cause must be identified. Flowing curtains can also be caused by air drafts (cold wall, warm air) or leaking windows.
The moisture can also originate from an interior wall or the floor (leaking pipes).
First investigate the cause, then take action. In case of mold and moisture, the landlord is required to take action.
Please contact a tenant protection association.