Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially. Thanks!

I think I'd hack off all that plaster/filler to the point where you can see the holes in the air brick. Then clean out the first couple of centimetres of each hole and fill with silicon sealant. Then plaster over it .

On 17/12/2020 22:12, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

Is there still an air brick on the outside of the house or has that been
filled in as well

Perhaps when filling in the air brick the cavity has been breached
giving a path for moisture to travel from the outside wall to the inside
wall. Is you house built with cavity walls or is it solid brick?

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 17/12/2020 22:12, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:


The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

Is the photo after the bleach treatment?

Don't overlook that the filled in airbrick may not be the problem. You
may have a leaking roof or gutter above your wardrobe causing the
problems on the ceiling and/or walls. Water then could be running down
inside a wall cavity until it reaches the porous air brick fill and then
is coming back to the inside of the wall. The fill material may be
acting as a sponge with no brick or block behind the surface coat to
stop water penetrating.

Check for any cracked tiles or slates above the area or any water
staining on the exterior wall in the location. Check that your gutters
are not blocked with leaves or moss in that location which could cause
water to overflow the gutter.

If its a filled in air brick where is the water coming from
i) condensation?
ii) a hole in the outside of the wall that hasn't been blocked off?
iii) from the roof
iv) from the gutter

Perhaps the original purpose of the air brick was to prevent
condensation occurring?



--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 17/12/2020 22:12:48, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice
and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30
years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick
inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I
had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled
fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my
enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my
clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here.
https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from
the inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the
plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion
of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the
upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with
bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how
I didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I
couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its
ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this
flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs
room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up
with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips
would be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products
especially. Thanks!

Clearly one or more of those walls is an outside wall. It is therefore
going to be colder than the room so condensation will form on these walls.

Given the passage of time, apart from the refilling of the airbrick, you
need ventilation between the room and wardrobe. I would suggest a series
of holes in the bottom and top of the wardrobe between that and the bedroom.

On 18/12/2020 01:31, Fredxx wrote:
On 17/12/2020 22:12:48, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice
and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30
years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick
inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I
had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled
fusty.



Clearly one or more of those walls is an outside wall. It is therefore
going to be colder than the room so condensation will form on these walls.

Given the passage of time, apart from the refilling of the airbrick, you
need ventilation between the room and wardrobe. I would suggest a series
of holes in the bottom and top of the wardrobe between that and the
bedroom.


And install cavity wall insulation if practicable.
And visit a pet centre and get one of those big spray cans
intended for dealing with cat fleas inside the house. You can
spray around the walls and floor inside the wardrobe and even
give clothing you don't wear all summer/winter a quick spray
too. This should deal with clothes moths.

I find this a little odd. You need air bricks to stop condensation in this
house, but I guess diverting it to the main room with a duct cannot be
done?
Brian

--

This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Monique Castellani-Kraan" wrote in message
...
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need
to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years,
and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my
build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad
clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed
wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe
and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the
inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the plaster
has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion of mould growth
that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the upper storage section of
my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with bleach and throw a load of
stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I didn't notice for so long - I
use the upper level for storage so I couldn't see what was happening until
it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its ridiculous
location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this flipping thing up
for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs room.
Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up with repair
cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would be greatly
appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially. Thanks!

On 17/12/2020 22:12, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially. Thanks!

I would have thought your problem would get worse without the air brick
.......

--
I like Aeroplane jelly ... It's Aeroplane jelly for me....

On 18/12/2020 08:38, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:
On 17/12/2020 22:12, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and
need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30
years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick
inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I
had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my
enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my
clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom.Â* Photos here.
https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the
inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the
plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion
of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the
upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with
bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I
didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I
couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its
ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this
flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs
room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up
with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would
be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially.
Thanks!

I would have thought your problem would get worse without the air brick
......


If this is a North facing and uninsulated wall then the only
solution is insulation (that doesn't cause interstitial
condensation).

On 17/12/2020 22:12, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice
and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30
years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick
inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I
had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled
fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my
enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my
clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here.
https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

Looking at that picture I am more concerned with the corner ceiling
which looks to be the source of the walls dampness. I think the air
brick is a symptom and not a cause. Although the previous attempt to
fill it may have bridged the inner and outer walls leading to problems.

Which direction does the offending wall face? Into the prevailing wind?

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its
ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this
flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

I'm not sure that opening the air brick might not at least partially
solve the problem by allowing some exchange of air with the outside.

The way that the steel bracket has rusted suggests that the entire wall
is damp and the inside of the wardrobe too. The edges of the impermeable
air brick are merely acting to focus the dampness.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On Thursday, 17 December 2020 at 22:12:50 UTC, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially. Thanks!

Some years ago, I lived in a house which was massively over-supplied with similarly position air vents. The excess air flow, especially cold, wet air in winter, made what was otherwise a very dry and reasonably warm house feel cold and unpleasant.

One room was particularly bad and, as were switching things round, using it as a home office meant it was occupied much of the day. So the cold air was far more important.

As a strictly temporary measure, I bashed a bit of Celotex into the hole on the inside leaf. Covered with a bit of plasterboard - just pushed in place.. Then slapped on some sort of plaster-based filler (I really cannot remember what it was). Made an acceptably smooth and flat finish - sufficiently good that our eyes were not drawn to it.

Some time later, as that had worked well, I did the second air vent in that room. Followed by three others over the next year or two. All using much the same technique.

Given the relatively poor fit of the double-glazed windows, there was still plenty of airflow but the improvement was huge.

Around ten years after doing the first one, we moved on. All air vents still filled adequately, untouched other than redecorating.

But you have got a ceiling problem. And, I suspect, condensation. Is the attic insulated properly? Is there rain ingress?

On Friday, December 18, 2020 at 10:00:20 AM UTC, polygonum_on_google wrote:
On Thursday, 17 December 2020 at 22:12:50 UTC, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially. Thanks!
Some years ago, I lived in a house which was massively over-supplied with similarly position air vents. The excess air flow, especially cold, wet air in winter, made what was otherwise a very dry and reasonably warm house feel cold and unpleasant.

One room was particularly bad and, as were switching things round, using it as a home office meant it was occupied much of the day. So the cold air was far more important.

As a strictly temporary measure, I bashed a bit of Celotex into the hole on the inside leaf. Covered with a bit of plasterboard - just pushed in place. Then slapped on some sort of plaster-based filler (I really cannot remember what it was). Made an acceptably smooth and flat finish - sufficiently good that our eyes were not drawn to it.

Some time later, as that had worked well, I did the second air vent in that room. Followed by three others over the next year or two. All using much the same technique.

Given the relatively poor fit of the double-glazed windows, there was still plenty of airflow but the improvement was huge.

Around ten years after doing the first one, we moved on. All air vents still filled adequately, untouched other than redecorating.

But you have got a ceiling problem. And, I suspect, condensation. Is the attic insulated properly? Is there rain ingress?

No leaky roof as far as I know, we did recently have the roofers round for maintenance. Had a leaky bay window that needed the lead flashing repairing.. I am wondering if Alan is right and condensation is the cause - we have had an awful problem with it in the house in recent years and ended up needing a dehumidifier.

The mold first started round the vent then travelled upwards to the ceiling (the photos are after I bleached the everloving hell out of it). Thing is, this air brick has been blocked up for over 30 years. Only in the last 5 or 6 years or so has that mold problem appeared. The wall is north-facing and it's solid brick. Yeah diverting air into the room cannot be done sadly, not without tearing off the wardrobe doors or ripping out the panelling anyway. Don't have the tools for it either.

The air brick is untouched on the outside of the house. The vent isn't metal it's brick, what you can see in the photos is the brick showing through underneath the plaster.

I posted around on other forums last night too, I've been given so much conflicting advice by this point I'm just confused. xD Some people saying block it up some people saying open it up. So I'm looking into removing all that plaster and getting an adjustable vent cover for it instead, we'll see how it goes from there. If problems with it persist I'll block it up Just a bit concerned that it's going to ruin my clothes and books inside that wardrobe if I open it up which is why my first concern was sealing it up properly.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate your help!

On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:

I posted around on other forums last night too, I've been given so much conflicting advice by this point I'm just confused.

Possibly because its hard to diagnose the problem from a distance and
there could be more than one possible cause for the damp. Some people
may assume one cause and one solution whilst other may assume a
different cause and suggest a different solution.


xD Some people saying block it up some people saying open it up. So
I'm looking into removing all that plaster and getting an adjustable
vent cover for it instead, we'll see how it goes from there. If problems
with it persist I'll block it up Just a bit concerned that it's going
to ruin my clothes and books inside that wardrobe if I open it up which
is why my first concern was sealing it up properly.

If the problem hasn't been evident for the previous X years what may
have changed? Could it be that what has been stored in the area has
been packed in so tightly against the wall and ceiling that it is
trapping the water in the wall/ceiling. Perhaps in the past a gap
between the wall and stored material allowed any minor dampness to
evaporate to atmosphere?


Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate your help!


If you do open it up and put an adjustable vent on the inside place a
thin sheet of open cell foam behind the vent. Often open cell foam
(usually black in colour) can be found in the packing of household
electrical items but also available on Ebay etc. This will help stop a
gale blowing trough the airbrick when the wind is in the wrong direction.






--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On Friday, December 18, 2020 at 11:46:56 AM UTC, alan_m wrote:
On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:

I posted around on other forums last night too, I've been given so much conflicting advice by this point I'm just confused.
Possibly because its hard to diagnose the problem from a distance and
there could be more than one possible cause for the damp. Some people
may assume one cause and one solution whilst other may assume a
different cause and suggest a different solution.
xD Some people saying block it up some people saying open it up. So
I'm looking into removing all that plaster and getting an adjustable
vent cover for it instead, we'll see how it goes from there. If problems
with it persist I'll block it up Just a bit concerned that it's going
to ruin my clothes and books inside that wardrobe if I open it up which
is why my first concern was sealing it up properly.
If the problem hasn't been evident for the previous X years what may
have changed? Could it be that what has been stored in the area has
been packed in so tightly against the wall and ceiling that it is
trapping the water in the wall/ceiling. Perhaps in the past a gap
between the wall and stored material allowed any minor dampness to
evaporate to atmosphere?

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate your help!

If you do open it up and put an adjustable vent on the inside place a
thin sheet of open cell foam behind the vent. Often open cell foam
(usually black in colour) can be found in the packing of household
electrical items but also available on Ebay etc. This will help stop a
gale blowing trough the airbrick when the wind is in the wrong direction.
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Just removed the plaster to reveal (dun dun dun)... an extremely rusty, ancient metal vent cover. Unsure how to proceed here. Any advice? Photo: https://imgur.com/a/duJgrK5

On 18/12/2020 11:56, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
On Friday, December 18, 2020 at 11:46:56 AM UTC, alan_m wrote:
On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:

I posted around on other forums last night too, I've been given so much conflicting advice by this point I'm just confused.
Possibly because its hard to diagnose the problem from a distance and
there could be more than one possible cause for the damp. Some people
may assume one cause and one solution whilst other may assume a
different cause and suggest a different solution.
xD Some people saying block it up some people saying open it up. So
I'm looking into removing all that plaster and getting an adjustable
vent cover for it instead, we'll see how it goes from there. If problems
with it persist I'll block it up Just a bit concerned that it's going
to ruin my clothes and books inside that wardrobe if I open it up which
is why my first concern was sealing it up properly.
If the problem hasn't been evident for the previous X years what may
have changed? Could it be that what has been stored in the area has
been packed in so tightly against the wall and ceiling that it is
trapping the water in the wall/ceiling. Perhaps in the past a gap
between the wall and stored material allowed any minor dampness to
evaporate to atmosphere?

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really appreciate your help!

If you do open it up and put an adjustable vent on the inside place a
thin sheet of open cell foam behind the vent. Often open cell foam
(usually black in colour) can be found in the packing of household
electrical items but also available on Ebay etc. This will help stop a
gale blowing trough the airbrick when the wind is in the wrong direction.
--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

Just removed the plaster to reveal (dun dun dun)... an extremely rusty, ancient metal vent cover. Unsure how to proceed here. Any advice? Photo: https://imgur.com/a/duJgrK5

Photo as usual unviewable on Linux.

Fill it all up and cover the wall with plasterboard and celotex dot and
dabbed in place.

https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/...mm-x-22mm.html

--
Labour - a bunch of rich people convincing poor people to vote for rich
people by telling poor people that "other" rich people are the reason
they are poor.

Peter Thompson

On 18/12/2020 11:56, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:


Just removed the plaster to reveal (dun dun dun)... an extremely rusty, ancient metal vent cover. Unsure how to proceed here. Any advice? Photo: https://imgur.com/a/duJgrK5




Has there always been a wardrobe there? What was the room use for
originally?


--
djc

(–€Ì¿Ä¹Ì¯–€Ì¿ Ì¿)
No low-hanging fruit, just a lot of small berries up a tall tree.

On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
I'm just confused. xD Some people saying block it up some people saying open it up.

Ther are two methods of controlling condensation - one is high airflow
of low humidity air plus heating = airbricks and heaters and energy, and
the other is to simply cover the cold wall in an insulator, so it isn't
a cold *surface* any more.

I had a kitchen built out of single 4.5" brick with an outside wall.

Cork tiles solved the condensation completely


--
Karl Marx said religion is the opium of the people.
But Marxism is the crack cocaine.

On 18/12/2020 12:10, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
I'm just confused. xD Some people saying block it up some people saying open it up.

Ther are two methods of controlling condensation - one is high airflow
of low humidity air plus heating = airbricks and heaters and energy, and
the other is to simply cover the cold wall in an insulator, so it isn't
a cold *surface* any more.

Or a dehumidifier. But your first method or a dehumidifier will cost
money every time they are in use.

I had a kitchen built out of single 4.5" brick with an outside wall.

Cork tiles solved the condensation completely

Don't they make the kitchen a bit on the dark side? I assume they can be
painted, but could they be tiled over instead?
--

Jeff

On 18/12/2020 13:15, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 18/12/2020 12:10, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
I'm just confused. xD Some people saying block it up some people
saying open it up.

Ther are two methods of controlling condensation - one is high airflow
of low humidity air plus heating = airbricks and heaters and energy, and
the other is to simply cover the cold wall in an insulator, so it isn't
a cold *surface* any more.

Or a dehumidifier. But your first method or a dehumidifier will cost
money every time they are in use.

I had a kitchen built out of single 4.5" brick with an outside wall.

Cork tiles solved the condensation completely

Don't they make the kitchen a bit on the dark side? I assume they can be
painted, but could they be tiled over instead?

Honestly I cant remember . It was only in the outside wall


Â*--

Jeff


--
Gun Control: The law that ensures that only criminals have guns.

On 18/12/2020 10:36, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
No leaky roof as far as I know, we did recently have the roofers round for maintenance. Had a leaky bay window that needed the lead flashing repairing. I am wondering if Alan is right and condensation is the cause - we have had an awful problem with it in the house in recent years and ended up needing a dehumidifier.

You only get a 'roofer' in if you know you have a problem. Out of 20
jobbing 'roofers' yo will be lucky to get just 1 that is any good.

Bay windows with flat roofs are notorious for leaks and condensation.

If you need a dehumidifier full time then that suggests a more serious
problem.

What sort of heating do you have ?.
Do you use showers or take baths ?.
Do you do a lot of cooking ?
Do you use a tumble drier indoors without a vent kit ?.
Does the property have cavity walls that are uninsulated ?.
How much insulation is in the loft ?
Are you in an exposed area as defined by building regs ? (i.e.
somewhere on the west and south coasts with more driving rain).
Does the property have cavity walls or solid walls ?.

On 17/12/2020 22:12, Monique Castellani-Kraan wrote:
Hi all, could use some input on this because I'm a bit of a novice and need to make sure I'm using the right tools for the job!

Our house was built in the 1940s and we've lived there for almost 30 years, and little did we know there was a badly filled-in air brick inside my build-in clothes wardrobe. In recent years I wondered why I had such a bad clothes moth problem and why my clothes smelled fusty.

The air brick is 6 ft above the floorboards, directly inside my enclosed wardrobe. It is in a contained space consisting of only my clothes wardrobe and bookcase inside my bedroom. Photos here. https://imgur.com/a/KCKaehO

It seems the previous people did a bodge job and filled it in from the inside using only plaster filler, so of course over the years the plaster has deteriorated and crumbled - and has now had an explosion of mould growth that spread all over the walls and ceiling in the upper storage section of my wardrobe. Had to absolutely blitz it with bleach and throw a load of stuff away. (and for anyone wondering how I didn't notice for so long - I use the upper level for storage so I couldn't see what was happening until it was too late)

So needless to say this air brick needs filling in because of its ridiculous location. Now the question is what do I use to seal this flipping thing up for good so that this doesn't happen again?

It would have to be sealed from the inside as this is an upstairs room. Would it be feasible to scape off all the old stuff, seal it up with repair cement, then re-plaster and paint? Any help and tips would be greatly appreciated. Brands and recommended products especially. Thanks!


1940's could mean it might or might not have cavity walls. That could
make quite a difference in what remedial work is needed.