Condensation and mould around ceiling corners

KatrinK

KatrinK

Free Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2022
Posts
30
Likes collected
32
Funster No
86,969
MH
Itineo SB740
Exp
In third year of full time travel around Europe
We are having a problem with (what we think is) condensation around the ceiling edges all over our MH. We first realised this after some mould growth in one corner a couple of months ago and it is now spreading, even into our cupboards.

F54ECBB8-48E5-45E3-BFD1-95E3C3B5E207.jpeg

1155AA11-0F6C-4A23-938D-74CDBB38915A.jpeg


We are in our second year of full time travel and did not have this problem (or at least didn’t see any signs of it) through our first year and winter with colder night temperatures.

Has anybody had this problem? Could something have changed on the roof? I know it is very dirty up there and needs a good scrub...

We are in Greece near Kalamata at the moment and have found a MH repair garage in Patras that we’ll aim for, but it would be good to get an idea of what the cause of this could be and how it can be rectified.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
PP Bear said:
My thoughts would be looking for water ingress and ventilation. Good luck 🤞🏻
Click to expand...
Do you mean water ingress from the outside/roof? All around the van? Is that possible?

We make sure we ventilate really well at all times right before we go to sleep, then we close the windows (am aware breathing creates moisture, but what can you do ;))
 
Upvote 0
Condensation often starts in corners where there is likely to be less air circulating. Once the mould has established itself the spores can spread the mould to other areas if it can find a little bit of moisture to grow on. Clean the mould off carefully trying not to spread the spores, don’t brush it. Improved ventilation is often part of the solution.
 
Upvote 0
Is your refrigerator venting outside and is the refrigerator supply air vent open ?. Whilst sleeping you need ventilation to avoid creating condensation which is water vapour expelled through the mouth, it collects most often at the highest level where it manifests itself as the black mould. We always leave a window nearest the sleeping area slightly open and have never experienced any condensation.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
The only way to stop it is to stop breathing unfortunately :ROFLMAO: . Ventilation this time of year is a costly luxury unless you want to freeze whilst sleeping. We just live with it and wipe the most susceptible areas with a weak bleach solution every now and then. Seems to work although there are still the occasional mouldy surprises in some of the cabinets
 
Upvote 0
dunnah01 said:
The only way to stop it is to stop breathing unfortunately :ROFLMAO: . Ventilation this time of year is a costly luxury unless you want to freeze whilst sleeping. We just live with it and wipe the most susceptible areas with a weak bleach solution every now and then. Seems to work although there are still the occasional mouldy surprises in some of the cabinets
Click to expand...
Yes, I don’t really fancy leaving a window open and the heating on. How do people that camp in the deepest winter weather handle this?

What stumps me is that we didn’t have this last year and we are not doing anything differently... :rolleyes:
 
Upvote 0
KatrinK said:
from theoutside/roof? All around the van? Is that possible?

We make sure we ventilate really well at all times right before we go to sleep, then we close the windows (am aware breathing creates moisture, but what can you do ;))
Click to expand...
It’s pinkies crossed that’s it’s not a leak from outside and is simply condensation collecting in the colder damp corners of the van. If I leave my van in storage for a few weeks and then head out in it again, I always get condensation in those areas that are harder to heat up and the moisture gathers, especially in a cupboard and the cabinet in the bathroom. Takes a few days of wiping up the moisture from those areas and leaving cupboards open while everything equalises, but I know my van inside out and know where to look.

Where possible sleep with a window cranked open to try and reduce it and also utilise these and this. It seems to gather so much water that I could pour it back into the tank and reuse (joking of course), but while some slate them, me and others swear by them.



IMG_1238.jpeg


IMG_1237.jpeg





Also pop these on certain shelves, cheap as Blackpool chips…


IMG_2925.png
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
Upvote 0
Bodoge said:
We always leave a window nearest the sleeping area slightly open and have never experienced any condensation.
Click to expand...
Carthago use an unsealed skylight above the sleeping area to provide permanent ventilation but we also always leave it open on the lowest position at night. Even on winter trips.
 
Upvote 1
As a landlord this is a regular problem inside houses.

Mold is caused by too many people breathing, cooking, drying clothes in a small space which is not heated or ventilated properly.

Ventilation and heating are the only cures.
An electrical dehumidifier helps, and when I have damp/mold issues in a property is my first thing to do.

Obviously removal of anything damp really helps, so don't dry clothes inside and when cooking ensure at the very least a window is open.

Removal of mold, as others have said above, is best done with mold spray, which is a mild bleach.
But you need to keep on top of it, otherwise it will return as it's a spore.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
KatrinK said:
Yes, I don’t really fancy leaving a window open and the heating on. How do people that camp in the deepest winter weather handle this?

What stumps me is that we didn’t have this last year and we are not doing anything differently... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
If you don’t want condensation and mould ventilation with steady heating is part of the cure. Another factor is good insulation but that can be difficult to fit retrospectively.

Last year the problem was probably already starting but hadn’t become apparent. Now that the mould and its spores have become established you can see what is happening.
 
Upvote 0
Pausim said:
If you don’t want condensation and mould ventilation with steady heating is part of the cure. Another factor is good insulation but that can be difficult to fit retrospectively.

Last year the problem was probably already starting but hadn’t become apparent. Now that the mould and its spores have become established you can see what is happening.
Click to expand...
That makes sense. We’ll give that a go for the next couple of nights then and see if there’s an improvement. Might get one of those dehumidifiers too if I can find them here.

Still wondering if the dirt all around the joining parts on the roof is a contributing factor too :unsure:
 
Upvote 0
I think it is possibly due to condensation as I would expect damp patches working down the wall if it is water ingress. Difficult to tell without stripping off the wall board.
Is there an owners club you can join then you may find out if other owners have had the same problem & the cause.
 
Upvote 0
Lenny HB said:
I think it is possibly due to condensation as I would expect damp patches working down the wall if it is water ingress. Difficult to tell without stripping off the wall board.
Is there an owners club you can join then you may find out if other owners have had the same problem & the cause.
Click to expand...
Yes, and with heavy rain there should be more water coming through too, right? Which isn’t the case.
 
Upvote 0
KatrinK said:
That makes sense. We’ll give that a go for the next couple of nights then and see if there’s an improvement. Might get one of those dehumidifiers too if I can find them here.

Still wondering if the dirt all around the joining parts on the roof is a contributing factor too :unsure:
Click to expand...
You may not get quick results and may need to carefully clean off the mould several times but once it has gone ventilation should help.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
If living in full time then ventilation is absolutely key to this. You are generating a lot of moisture through breathing, cooking, showering, heating etc. Warm air holds moisture and will cling to cold surfaces as condensation. Surfaces need to be wiped down regularly to remove the surface moisture but that will not stop it. The MH needs to be well ventilated as well. Steam from cooking needs to be vented outside via the nearest window, bathroom window needs to be open or vented when in use and heating kept to a minimum.

Mould will not be apparent initially but will grow over time if its not dealt with, hence why its appearing now as the spores grow. You need a could anti mould spray to deal with ASAP as mould spores can be a health hazard. Try not to disturb them too much.

Some cabinets will have vent holes in them to aid circulation, mine have narrow slots in the base of the overhead cabinets. Problem is with the doors shut the air cannot move and if you have them they could be blocked by your possessions. When in storage I always open the cupboard doors to allow air t circulate.
 
Upvote 0
As others have said it'll be poor ventilation, it's simple physics, Cold surface and warm air equals condensation, a dehumidifier will be your best friend over the winter months.
 
Upvote 0
It can be difficult to kill mould spores. Perhaps try a patch with white vinegar.

Which is better to kill mold bleach or vinegar?


While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.Feb 22, 2023
 
Upvote 0
If it was leaking there would be a stain. Condensation forms on a surface that is colder. Therefore I suspect it is cold bridging caused by a lack or reduction of insulation in that area i.e. the corners. Leaving out moisture absorbing crystals will always absorb water as there is moisture in the air. However the water that is absorbed from the air will be replaced by more moisture so pointless in my view. In my profession as a Building Surveyor I see it all the time, particularly at this time of year.
It is probably not practical and would be very expensive to expose the roof and walls in your motorhome to check the insulation but I do suspect that cold bridging is the issue. In the short term the only solution is good ventilation. The mantra in the Retrofit industry is ‘insulate tight, ventilate right’.
 
Upvote 0
I would probably just clean it off, use a product to kill the mould, and accept that it may recur every year or two if I live in it during the winter.

You may be able to prevent recurrence with adequate ventilation etc, but it’s not guaranteed. And sometimes the cure can be worse than the ailment (Leave windows open! Don’t breathe!) 😀

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
We always make sure we ventilate very well all throughout the day and always open side and top windows when cooking.

I am spraying white vinegar on any mould patches I spot straight away, but it doesn’t seem to stop the spreading across the ceiling :cry: Plus, the black marks it leaves on the walls also seem to be permanent, which annoys me to no end :rollingeyes:
 
Upvote 0
PaulW2 said:
Try bleach. As it says on the tin it … bleaches 😀
Click to expand...
I read somewhere that bleach feeds mould, so have been weary about using it.
 
Upvote 0
We use this stuff and it works a treat. Gets rid of black marks on walls, ceilings, sealant and the shower curtain!
hg.eu

HG mould spray | thé effective mould and mildew cleaner

Need a mould spray? HG mould spray immediately and effortlessly eliminates all moulds, making filthy black stains disappear.
hg.eu hg.eu
 
Upvote 0
PaulW2 said:
Try bleach. As it says on the tin it … bleaches 😀
Click to expand...
Bleach is no good on porous surfaces. Vinegar is better at killing the spores at the root. Never use concentrated bleach, always dilute at least 4 to 1. I hate bleach as it is very corrosive, so use with caution.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
KatrinK said:
I read somewhere that bleach feeds mould, so have been weary about using it.
Click to expand...
Can’t see it. Buy one of those anti-fungal sprays with a mild bleach concentration. Have used them in Portugal. Work very well. Spray on, take care to protect bits that shouldn’t be sprayed on, monitor, wipe off and rinse afterwards - maybe 10 or 15 mins.

Then ventilate for the smell!
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
Chris Stephens said:
We use this stuff and it works a treat. Gets rid of black marks on walls, ceilings, sealant and the shower curtain!
hg.eu

HG mould spray | thé effective mould and mildew cleaner

Need a mould spray? HG mould spray immediately and effortlessly eliminates all moulds, making filthy black stains disappear.
hg.eu hg.eu
Click to expand...
They also do a foaming version which might work better in the ceiling/wall joint.
hg.eu

>HG mould remover foam spray | Effective mould remover spray

This mould remover spray removes black mould and mildew from bathrooms instantly, and makes sure it stays away. Try our odour-free mould and mildew remover.
hg.eu hg.eu
 
Upvote 0
We keep our moho on the drive and last year it was left empty for a couple of months, when I went in there was a lot of mould growing on the doors, it wiped off and I used a mould cleaner. Since then I leave the air vents open and have a Unibond Areo360 and have not had any problems since. Air circulation is important.
 
Upvote 0

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top