Bootle, L20, is in Sefton and has a mix of Victorian terraces and post-war council-built houses and flats, close to the docks. Flats often suffer condensation because there is little air movement and few places for moisture to go, while the older terraces deal with cold solid walls and rain getting in. We visit, take readings, find the cause and give you a written quote to treat the mould and stop it coming back as far as the building allows.
Mould in post-war flats
Many flats in Bootle were built after the war, and they share a few common traits: compact kitchens, bathrooms with no window, walls against unheated stairwells and, in many cases, replacement windows that seal tightly. Put those together with a family cooking, showering and drying clothes, and humidity indoors can stay high for days. The mould tends to show on the coldest surfaces first, which in a flat is often the outside wall of a bedroom or the wall that backs onto a communal area.
In a flat with no loft, the usual loft-mounted ventilation is not an option, but wall-mounted positive input ventilation units exist for exactly this situation. Sometimes a properly working extractor fan and opening the trickle vents is enough. We decide based on readings, not guesswork.
Seeing the problem: humidity readings
One of the most useful things for a flat is knowing how humid it actually gets. A simple hygrometer or smart sensor shows whether humidity stays high for long stretches, which rooms are worst and whether changes are working. Indoor humidity that stays above around 60 to 70 per cent for long periods often goes hand in hand with condensation. Our humidity and mould monitoring service sets this up and helps landlords and residents read the results without blame on anyone.
Victorian terraces in Bootle
The older streets have solid brick walls with no cavity, so the inside face of an outside wall can get very cold in winter. Back bedrooms and rear kitchens show mould first. Water can also get in from outside through a cracked downpipe, a blocked gutter or worn mortar joints, and that type of damp often grows after rain rather than in cold weather. Where an outside repair is needed, we explain what has to be done; work at height may need a roofer or builder. Our condensation control page goes into the indoor side of the problem.
Private renting in Sefton
If you rent privately and your landlord has not dealt with damp, Sefton Council’s private sector housing team is the local authority for Bootle. Under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, damp and mould growth is one of the hazards a council can assess and act on. Shelter offers free advice too. Landlords and agents who want a clear written record of the problem and the repairs can ask us for notes with photos.
Close to Bootle
Bootle sits next to Litherland to the north and Kirkdale across the Liverpool boundary, with Crosby further up the coast. Our homepage covers our mould and damp treatment for Liverpool and Sefton, and explains what happens when you contact a damp and mould specialist in Merseyside.
Mould in your Bootle flat or house?
Call 07777 659786 and let us know if the home is a flat or a house, and who owns it. We will call back to arrange a visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can a PIV unit work in a flat with no loft?
Yes, there are wall-mounted PIV units designed for flats without loft space. Whether one suits your flat depends on its layout and where the moisture problem is. It helps with condensation but will not fix a leak or water coming in from outside.
Who do I complain to in Bootle if my private landlord does nothing about mould?
Bootle is in Sefton, so Sefton Council is the local authority for private rented housing complaints. Councils can assess damp and mould under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. Shelter also gives free advice. We do not give legal advice, but we can provide written notes with photos of what we find.
Why is there mould on the wall next to the communal stairwell?
Walls next to unheated stairwells, lift shafts or bin stores are often colder than the rest of the flat, so moisture condenses on them. Furniture against that wall makes it worse. Better ventilation and keeping the room evenly heated usually help, and we can check whether anything else is contributing.
Is it safe to sleep in a room with black mould?
Damp and mould can affect anyone’s health and are a particular risk for children, older people and anyone with asthma or a lung condition. If you are worried about symptoms, speak to your GP or NHS 111. Meanwhile, keep the room ventilated and get the cause looked at.