Ceiling mould in en-suite bathroom

[learningtofly]

Hi all - a bit of advice re the above would be appreciated.

I have a slight mould problem on the ceiling in the en-suite, directly above the shower cubicle. I'm planning to clean it off with an appropriate mould remover and will also be uprating the extractor fan to try to eliminate the problem "at source". However, is there a recommended approach in terms of potentially priming, and then repainting the ceiling? What products should I be going for?

Thanks in advance!

[Alex L]

Zinsser mould resistant paint is about the best I’ve used. Extractor fans I never find to be that effective, you’re better off opening a window

[ralphy]

Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3.



R

[learningtofly]

Thanks both. The fanlight is always open too, although perhaps not quite open enough. Zinsser looks like a good call, though.

[Kingstepper]

Make sure there's no other source of mould in the bathroom which can produce spores and spread. Regular use of Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover great for getting rid of mould in grout and silicone sealant.

Unlike another poster, we find extractor fan works well in shower cubicle itself (ours in light fitting). In the Winter it's often as damp outside so opening a window does nothing.

Edit - don't think window+fan is great either because can suck air from outside rather than room.

[learningtofly]

Make sure there's no other source of mould in the bathroom which can produce spores and spread. Regular use of Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover great for getting rid of mould in grout and silicone sealant.

Unlike another poster, we find extractor fan works well in shower cubicle itself (ours in light fitting). In the Winter it's often as damp outside so opening a window does nothing.

Thanks. The bathroom is otherwise pristine having been refurbished completely a couple of years ago.

Someone did suggest a second extract cut into the ceiling directly above the cubicle (the existing is two or three feet to the left, above the loo). That feels like a last resort, though, and I'd rather try to make what I have already more effective first.

[magirus]

To get the existing mould off Tony try thick bleach, the gloopy almost gel like stuff. It works better than any mould remover I've tried on existing paint. Then as already suggested repaint with Zinsser. This has worked very well for me in the past.

[number2]

Zinsser mould resistant paint is about the best I’ve used. Extractor fans I never find to be that effective, you’re better off opening a window

Try convincing a tenant

[Christian]

Try convincing a tenant

It's a well known fact that if you are a tenant, you like to live in the most moist atmosphere....100% humidity if possible caused by your breath, boiling pans, drying washing, showering etc and never opening a window. Try to grow as much mould as possible then complain to the landlord that they are the ones putting your health at risk.

To get the existing mould off Tony try thick bleach, the gloopy almost gel like stuff.

I'm not sure if true but I heard bleach alone fades the mould but might not kill it. Vinegar apparently does a better job at killing, or better still a mould killing spray.

[Max...]

I've had to deal with this lately - I think the mould sprays which work well are just a 5% bleach solution so easy to make yourself or stronger. But they take time to really soak in and effect the spores lying deep in the plaster.

Saturate the area in the morning and evening for a few days and leave a few weeks. It will only come back otherwise.

If it does get it again as early as possible.

Be prepared for it to get everywhere and screw up any finish on the walls. Brilliant white is best as you can repeat and cover up pretty easily.

Key is great extraction and we use a decent dehumidifier in the upper house as we get so much condensation even in a modern double glazed house.

[walkerwek1958]

At my last house I had a minor problem with black mould in one spot on the bathroom ceiling, midway down an outside wall at the point where the ceiling and wall met. It seemed odd that it was in one place, the rest was fine. I went in the loft to investigate and found the loft insulation missing in that area, as it was next to the eaves this was enough to cause a cold spot on the ceiling. After replacing the insulation and repainting the problem never returned.

[wileeeeeey]

Zinsser mould resistant paint is about the best I’ve used. Extractor fans I never find to be that effective, you’re better off opening a window

Doesn't matter which extractor fan you buy, 95% of what they do is just make noise. Can't beat an open window.

I've just got out of the shower in the loft 15 mins ago, quite a small space, the windows were open the entire time and I'll go up in an hour or two to close then again.

[seabiscuit]

Try convincing a tenant

Council tenant complains that she and her family are forced to live in a home riddled with damp whilst the council has done nothing to help. We send out a specialist to survey the property in August 2021. In his report he highlights that clothes were being dried on radiators (which were switched on) and on every available hanging space. All windows and trickle vents closed. This is during the summer months. Bathroom and kitchen extractor fans found to be full of dust and grime. The tenant has a secure drying room on the landing area of her flat. That’s where clothes are meant to dry. Except the tenant is unable to use it due to the amount of junk she stores there.

It’s a difficult conversation to have with someone when you’re trying to explain how their lifestyle is creating the problem. But it’s easier to angle for a move when you complain to the local press and politicians that you’re being forced to live in a damp home.

[Mj2k]

We had to install a fan directly above our shower, one of the ones with a light in the centre so does not look to out of place vs the other downlighters.

We established pretty soon after our bathroom was done that a 4 bar pump + rain maker shower head x wife who like the water scalding hot = nasty things growing on the ceiling.

Not a 100% cure and still needs a touch up every 2-3 years (ceiling not the wife)

[magirus]

We had to install a fan directly above our shower, one of the ones with a light in the centre so does not look to out of place vs the other downlighters.

We established pretty soon after our bathroom was done that a 4 bar pump + rain maker shower head x wife who like the water scalding hot = nasty things growing on the ceiling.

Not a 100% cure and still needs a touch up every 2-3 years (ceiling not the wife)

I've had to apply extreme self control to not make a joke here! ;-)

[StackH]

Just resurrecting this to ask those who have used the Zinsser paint about application. Did you just roller it on, and as it's a primer does it need an emulsion top coat(s)? TIA.

[Thewatchbloke]

In the Winter it's often as damp outside so opening a window does nothing.

Edit - don't think window+fan is great either because can suck air from outside rather than room.

It doesn't matter if it's raining cats and dogs outside, if the air it's sucking in through the open window is cooler than that of the air in the bathroom it will lower the humidity, and humid air is what promotes mould growth.

As has been said already the best thing to do is opening a window in conjunction with using an extractor fan. I leave the extractor running and the window open for about 20 minutes after showering then shut the window and turn off the fan.

[Ruggertech]

I upvc clad our bathroom ceiling, took about a day and cost eighty something quid about 3 years ago. Mold struggles to grow on it, just the odd spot now and again, and wipes clean off when it does.

[MCFastybloke]

do you shower with door shut? -Cut 10mm off bottom of door, do you shut the door when your done?

Is the fan duct obstructed-kinked full of "fur" and dead skin
Has fan a timer?- adjust to run longer

Fan grill- is it a flapper,are the flaps flapping -is the grill there, chirping birds made a nest in my ductwork in a flash

The insulation over the area- assuming its upstairs,intact and well placed- not pushed up against roof felt.

The avoidance of mould is all about even surface temps internally and air movement.

Its been cold-has a normally open-or ajar- window or trickle vent been shut?

Have you taken to spending more time in the room,watching tele or other stuff?

Turned towel rail down or bedroom rad or any other ajustments to internal environment of the bedroom or hall way

[P9CLY]

Zinsser mould resistant paint is about the best I’ve used. Extractor fans I never find to be that effective, you’re better off opening a window

100% open the window,tried and better tried to instill this into the Wife.....Always like the rain forest after her visit!!.

[lewie]

Yeh I’ve plastic t&G on my ceiling - it’s perfect- could you insulate the ceiling space above ? Might help

[dougair]

Hi all - a bit of advice re the above would be appreciated.

I have a slight mould problem on the ceiling in the en-suite, directly above the shower cubicle. I'm planning to clean it off with an appropriate mould remover and will also be uprating the extractor fan to try to eliminate the problem "at source". However, is there a recommended approach in terms of potentially priming, and then repainting the ceiling? What products should I be going for?

Thanks in advance!

Have you cleaned your fan? It sounds silly but we had a condensation problem that was evolving into a mold problem…I then hoovered our 10 year old fan and the problem has almost disappeared! Need to give it a hoover from the outside too and that should fix it? Took my 2 years to work out that was the problem…DIY not my thing!

[oldoakknives]

I upvc clad our bathroom ceiling, took about a day and cost eighty something quid about 3 years ago. Mold struggles to grow on it, just the odd spot now and again, and wipes clean off when it does.

Looks like a good idea. Filed away for future reference.

[lewie]

I had a wooden T&G ceiling originally- had the idea of painting it but came up with the plastic idea
Done in an afternoon and the whole lots geld up with stixall- made a few dead man’s props - easy and nice and clean

[Ruggertech]

Looks like a good idea. Filed away for future reference.

Nice to know the ceiling never needs painting again also Ian.
Upvc panels, dry wall screws, no-nails and silicone sealant all from Wickes. As I said, it came to only eighty odd quid (probably more now) but still a very pleasing result.

[Ruggertech]

I had a wooden T&G ceiling originally- had the idea of painting it but came up with the plastic idea
Done in an afternoon and the whole lots geld up with stixall- made a few dead man’s props - easy and nice and clean

My original inspiration to do it came not because of mold, but paint problems.
My wife bought some bathroom paint to repaint the ceiling, but the paint reacted to the paint that was already on there, so much sanding back had to be done. An onerous task on a ceiling. The new paint still reacted. So we bought a tin of some special sealing (not ceiling lol) paint that was recommended to us, another thirty odd quid, still reacted. Couldn't face another sanding back, buying more paint etc etc so decided on the upvc. Best eighty quid I ever spent.

[stooo]

My solution was an in line extractor fan strong enough to simulate sky diving in a tropical downpour while showering - and insulated ducting. Always check your ducting if it runs through the roof space.