Damp

[Tori75]

I live in a one bedroom flat and over the past year I have been noticing the signs of damp! I just have painted walls (no wallpaper) and around my window is starting to go black! The paint is also starting to crack around my window and peel away and I have noticed black dots appearing on the ceiling.. Also, inside my wardrobes (which are on the other side of the room from the window), are starting to smell musky inside. I have draws at the bottom of the wardrobes and one of them smells really strong when you open it and I now use this for my hairdryer, etc, because I wouldn’t even be able to put clothes in.
I don’t have central heating and so im wondering whether this has something to do with it, but then again, nobody has their heating on much during the warmer months and damp doesn’t just appear..
Does anybody have any ideas about what I can try? As I live on the bottom floor, im unable to leave my windows open to air the room during the day, but I have them open as often as possible over the weekend.
Hope somebody has some good tips for me to try.
Thanks.
Vicky

[theshedman]

Hi Vicky, not an expert on damp but this sounds more like mould to me. I would go out and buy something like Dettox Mould and Mildew remover and either spray it on or put it on a cloth and wipe it on the affected areas. Use gloves to do it. Maybe have to do it more than once if it's bad but it usually gets rid of it. You can even use it inside your wardrobes. Just make sure you wash them off afterwards as it contains bleach. If it is mould then there was probably some there last year and in the summer months it dries out and the breeze coming in the doors and windows spreads it around the room in like a very fine dust, then when the air gets damp again it turns it black and it spreads everywhere. Once you have got rid of it spray the cupboards with something like Febreeze to get rid of the smell. Good luck.

[The Builder]

I think Shedman is right Vicky............. mould from condensation rather than damp. I guess the house is quite old. Cold walls with no insulation I expect. Vapour from cooking, washing, breathing etc condenses on the coldest spots. Heating and ventilation are the only remedies with cold masonry.
If you're renting then Shedman's ideas to mask the problem sound a good way to go. If you own the flat, then It's a straightforward job to add insulation , and, replaster the walls to beat the problem for good.