East facing wall, mildew problem

[PhilTheFragger]

We have a house of poured concrete construction with an east facing corner that has little protection from the wind & rain.

Inside, at the bottom of the stairs is a coat hanging rack and it is well used.

However this stops the wall ventilating and under the coats is a load of mildew, which has got onto some of the coats.

It has happened before and we have cleaned it off, treated it with anti mould stuff, but it comes back, so need a permanent solution.

I’m thinking of putting in a vapour barrier of some sort.

Either a couple of aqua panels, or a roll of foil backed insulation with plywood on top with and suitable edging

What does the forum reckon?

Thanks in advance

 

[PJ87]

I'm no expert. However that looks like the effects of condensation on cold wall. We get one wall that gets it really bad. Purchased a dehumidifier and run couple of times a day has really helped

Especially being under coats where moisture can get trapped between the coat and the wall

 

[Golfmmad]

I'm no expert. However that looks like the effects of condensation on cold wall. We get one wall that gets it really bad. Purchased a dehumidifier and run couple of times a day has really helped

Especially being under coats where moisture can get trapped between the coat and the wall

Have you access to the outside wall where you can apply a weather sealant?

 

[Golfmmad]

Have you access to the outside wall where you can apply a weather sealant?

Sorry, was meant to reply to Phil.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Have you access to the outside wall where you can apply a weather sealant?

Yes the corner is easily accessible
Part of the problem is the walls are 10 inch thick poured concrete with no cavity.

The outside is rendered & painted with sandtex and it’s in good nick.

The rest of the wall is fine, just the area under the coats

 

[Hobbit]

Wet, dripping coats against the wall, and taking too long to dry? I’d be tempted to replace the coat hooks with a freestanding….

 

[Bunkermagnet]

Zinsser paints and products will help you, the stain blocker is what all the redec contractors use for starters.
Could there be a guttering thats leaking down onto the wall there?

 

[PJ87]

Yes the corner is easily accessible
Part of the problem is the walls are 10 inch thick poured concrete with no cavity.

The outside is rendered & painted with sandtex and it’s in good nick.

The rest of the wall is fine, just the area under the coats

Redo the clothes hooks with wood or something underneith for the coats to rest on so it's not a cold surface for moisture to get trapped?

 

[Golfmmad]

Yes the corner is easily accessible
Part of the problem is the walls are 10 inch thick poured concrete with no cavity.

The outside is rendered & painted with sandtex and it’s in good nick.

The rest of the wall is fine, just the area under the coats

You can clearly see that the cause is the coats and lack of ventilation. If you hang wet coats up close to a cold wall there's bound to be problems.
What about installing panelling which would take the coats away from the cold wall.

I always hang a wet coat in the shower till dry, just a thought.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Zinsser paints and products will help you, the stain blocker is what all the redec contractors use for starters.
Could there be a guttering thats leaking down onto the wall there?

No its a gable end and the guttering in the corner is higher as its taking the water across the front of the house to the downpipe
Guttering is sound,

Coats are not wet, it is literally the condensation from the wall, due to lack of ventilation.
space is tight so free standing coat stand isnt an option, hense I was looking at some sort of construction to sort the problem. like aqua panels or the
insulated roll with ply standing proud from the wall to create a barrier

 

[Bunkermagnet]

No its a gable end and the guttering in the corner is higher as its taking the water across the front of the house to the downpipe
Guttering is sound,

Coats are not wet, it is literally the condensation from the wall, due to lack of ventilation.
space is tight so free standing coat stand isnt an option, hense I was looking at some sort of construction to sort the problem. like aqua panels or the
insulated roll with ply standing proud from the wall to create a barrier

OK. Zinsser paint products are mint, and do a great job at hiding/stoping stains etc coming through.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Dehumidfiers are the answer for condensation.
We had an 12-15 year old one that we used to run in our large lounge throughout the winter.
Replaced it with a new one this year, what a difference. Shows the humidity level and set accordingly. We set ours at 50.
It worked so well that we bought another one for the hall.
Make was Netta cost around £129 each.

BTW Zissener paints are expensive but fab, well worth the money.

 

[PJ87]

Dehumidfiers are the answer for condensation.
We had an 12-15 year old one that we used to run in our large lounge throughout the winter.
Replaced it with a new one this year, what a difference. Shows the humidity level and set accordingly. We set ours at 50.
It worked so well that we bought another one for the hall.
Make was Netta cost around £129 each.

BTW Zissener paints are expensive but fab, well worth the money.

Ours has made a world of difference

Got a schedule on my phone that it follows comes on at 45% to really keep things dry ....

Great for a second load of washing when the tumble is already on, set it to laundry mode and leave the washing in front of it overnight

 

[rudebhoy]

We hang our wet coats on a rack on the back of a wooden fire door between the kitchen and the utility room. We are out in all weathers with the dogs, and never had a problem in 15 years.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

We have an old fashioned pully in our utility room.
Thought about getting rid of it 25 years ago when we bought the house.
Absolutely glad we didn't. It has proved most useful.