Litherland, L21, in Sefton, has terraces alongside inter-war and post-war semis. The mould we are called to most often is on the gable wall of a semi, in the bathroom and in bedrooms in winter, and sometimes under laminate or carpet on solid floors. In almost every case, the answer starts with finding where the moisture comes from and why that surface is cold. We visit, explain the cause and give a written quote.
Why the gable wall of a semi gets mould first
A semi-detached house has one wall exposed to the weather from top to bottom: the side, or gable, wall. In winter it is often the coldest wall in the house, and bedrooms and the landing along it show mould first, especially in the upper corners and behind furniture. If the loft insulation stops short of the eaves, the ceiling edge along that wall is colder still.
Wind-driven rain can also hit that wall hard. A patch that spreads after a wet, windy spell is more likely to be water getting in than condensation, and the fix is outside the house. We look at both and tell you which it is.
Damp under the floor covering
Solid floors in older homes do not always have an effective damp proof membrane. On its own, a floor like that can be slightly damp without anyone noticing. Cover it with laminate on foam underlay, vinyl or rubber-backed carpet, and the moisture is trapped. The first sign is often a musty smell or mould on the back of the carpet when it is lifted. We check readings across the floor and at the edges and explain the options on our damp floor repair page.
Terraces: the rooms at the back
In terraced houses the rear rooms tend to hold the kitchen and bathroom, and they get most of the steam in the house. If the extractor fan is weak or missing and the window is kept closed in cold weather, condensation gathers on the walls and ceiling. Bathroom mould on grout and sealant is very common, and where it has grown into sealant it has to be cut out rather than cleaned. Our bathroom mould removal service covers this, along with the ventilation that stops it returning.
Decorating once the cause is fixed
Painting over mould hides it for a few weeks at most. Once the moisture is under control, surfaces are cleaned, treated and left to dry fully. Only then is it worth decorating, and an anti-mould paint can help slow any regrowth. Our mould-resistant decorating page describes how we prepare walls and ceilings properly.
Textured ceiling coatings in homes built before 2000 can contain asbestos. We do not scrape or sand them until they have been tested by a licensed specialist.
Nearby areas
Litherland is next to Bootle and close to Crosby on the coast, and we work in both. To see what else we offer, head to our damp and mould repairs in Merseyside homepage, which also explains our black mould removal across Liverpool.
Mould on a cold wall in Litherland?
Call 07777 659786 and describe where it is. We will ring you back and arrange a time to visit.
Frequently asked questions
Will anti-mould paint fix the problem?
On its own, no. Anti-mould paint can slow regrowth on a clean, dry, treated surface, but it does not stop condensation forming. If the moisture source is left alone, mould will usually find its way back. Deal with the cause first, then decorate.
There is a musty smell under the stairs. Could it be damp?
It might be. Understairs cupboards are often unventilated and sit against a cold outside or party wall, so they can trap moisture. A leak from a nearby pipe is another possibility. We check moisture levels, look for mould behind stored items and find out what is causing it.
Is the black mould on my bathroom sealant dangerous?
Mould that has grown into silicone sealant usually cannot be cleaned out, because it is inside the material. The sealant needs cutting out and replacing once the area is dry and treated. If anyone in the home has breathing problems, speak to your GP or NHS 111.
Do you cover Litherland and Seaforth?
We cover Litherland, L21, and the surrounding parts of Sefton, including Bootle and Crosby. Give us a call with your postcode and we will arrange a visit.