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Hiya, I live in a new build. Been here just over 8 years. I was going through stuff and found mildew I think, on the walls behind things I've always left slight gaps and now leave bigger ones. On checking through stuff. I was finding mould or mildew spots in book, board games, DVDs etc. Its been really upsetting as it's on several expensive or sentimental things. Had green mould on wooden flat packed desk. And found some metal objects including radiator that had flat packed desk leaning against. I have since bought a humidity meter and currently it's been hanging around the 55-57% mark. I have heating on between 18-19°c. Issue is I have to dry laundry in a room. Which is where I've found mould too. Having window open in the winter seems to make humidity go up due to raining outside so often. I also have a open plan kitchen/livingroom. This means steam travels into living room where my books, dvds and board games are kept. I'm struggling to keep humidity lower. I do have a small extractor fan but it's not directly above hob. It's about 5 foot away. I dont have a cooker hood but have a socket for one but wont be able to extract it outside unless I connect to existing fan. But dont think its practical as it means there will be a 90° bend to go outside and will blow back through other fan and vis versa. I'm no expert but it's what my logic tells me. A recurclating hood doesn't rid of moisture. So I'm out of ideas, as like I said, opening windows with so much rain,it seems to create more moisture. Should I move all my living room stuff into another room? I dont want to cause further damage to books and dvds etc. Moisture is getting trapped in plastic dvd cases and unable to escape. Or even though the kitchen creates moisture. Is humidity under 60% and temp at 18 or above,enough to prevent mould? During summer I deliberately tried raising humidity because it was so hot and elderly cat didn't like it. Vet advised to do it. Maybe that was the issue. But it was a heat wave. So I doubt humidity would have been high. I dont know as I didnt have a humidity reader then. I would appreciate any advice. I totally understand if you do not reply as I imagine you're busy and I have written a lot. Thank you for video. X
Thank you for your comment, we have the following from our National Technical Manager - In regards to items covered in mould and mildew, Unless these objects are heavily stained, it should be possible to clean using a gentle wipe of mixed detergent and then drying properly. What you are seeing is suggestive of cold condensing surfaces. Dew point is a movable point dependent on atmospheric conditions and may occur when temperatures drop at night when you are not taking readings. The room you dry laundry in should preferably be the bathroom with the extract on or window ajar. The important thing is ventilation. Extract fan needs to be sized to extract moist air from the entire area. It should run for long enough to achieve this. Fans fitted with humidistats are the best option. You are quite correct, recirculating hoods will not reduce moisture. Moving items will have little effect as moisture travels all around the flat and condenses on cold surfaces. Having moisture trapped in the DVD cases does suggest extraction is inadequate. “Is humidity under 60% and temp at 18 or above,enough to prevent mould?” From what you are describing I would suggest you are well outside these limits at certain times of the day. In terms of humidity in summer, I think you would be surprised how high humidity is in the summer, as water vapour is easily held in the hot air. We are happy to give advice if I can. It sounds like you have got to the point where a condensation survey or installation of loggers to confirm temperature and humidity throughout the day and night may be of value.
