Window frame mould removal advice

[Designer1]

Hello.

Been to see this recently, customer wanted to know if the mould can be removed? The frame with the grey windowsill is the normal, dry window frame. The white windowsill is the bathroom window frame with the mould. Any ideas on how to remove it?

Thanks in advance,
Designer1

 

[EddyCurrent]

This ; Dettol Mould & Mildew Remover 750ml

 

[Adam W.]

Deal with why it becomes mouldy and the rest will take care of itself.

 

[Rorschach]

Deal with why it becomes mouldy and the rest will take care of itself.

It's a window, in the UK, how do you propose to do that? I have never yet seem a window that doesn't suffer from mould.

Clean the mould with bleach and then re-paint with a mould resistant paint, this will need re-doing every 5 years approx.

 

[Adam W.]

It's a window, in the UK, how do you propose to do that? I have never yet seem a window that doesn't suffer from mould.

Clean the mould with bleach and then re-paint with a mould resistant paint, this will need re-doing every 5 years approx.

I can see it's a window, thanks.

It suffers from cold bridging, you propose a temporary solution and a continuous maintenance schedule. The OP wanted to get rid of it, which suggests that he wants a permanent solution.

Note the other window doesn't suffer from mould, hence my suggestion of dealing with why it gets mouldy in the first place.

 

[paulrbarnard]

We have stone mullions and they need to be treated every year. This stuff https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01CRBEUVO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Literally spray it on then come back 30 minutes later and it's gone. We have tried many other products but this wins by a mile

Edit: Just to add if you go this route make sure to get the foaming spray, linked, not the standard one. The foaming version is an order of magnitude better.

 

[Rorschach]

@Adam W. There isn't a permanent solution. The other window is ok now, it won't last forever, mould will eventually get it unless the maintenance schedule is shorter than the time it takes for mould to take hold. In a bathroom the mould moves faster than the maintenance.

Looking at the pictures again, all the windows have mould, it's just worse/more noticeable on the bathroom window as you would expect.

 

[Adam W.]

Have you been to the house, because your answer sounds like you have ?

There's a permanent solution to mould and it's heat and ventilation. Once the m/c of the surfaces drop below a certain level mould spores will not germinate and develop into fruiting bodies.

 

[Rorschach]

Have you been to the house, because your answer sounds like you have ?

There's a permanent solution to mould and it's heat and ventilation. Once the m/c of the surfaces drop below a certain level mould spores will not germinate and develop into fruiting bodies.

You're right, but it's also totally impractical/not cost effective given the UK climate, especially in a bathroom. Regular maintenance however is very little effort and should form part of standard cleaning anyway.

I would ask if you have a totally mould free house, but I think I know what you would say.

 

[J-G]

Well, I'm in the UK and have lived in 8 different houses over the past nearly 80 years and have never had any problem with mould on window cills in bathrooms - or anywhere else for that matter - and I am not fastidious as far as general maintenance is concerned !

 

[Rorschach]

I suspect I can predict all future responses to this thread now.

Anyway I have said my bit, clean it, paint with a mould resistant paint, have a beer.

 

[eribaMotters]

1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Wipe it on and leave. Repeat after 48 hours. Wash down next day and all should be well. If the house is not correctly heated and ventilated it would be an idea to wipe down with this solution whenever the bathroom is given a clean. No reason why the bleach/water mix could not be left in a spray bottle for this purpose.

Colin

 

[Rorschach]

1 part bleach to 4 parts water. Wipe it on and leave. Repeat after 48 hours. Wash down next day and all should be well. If the house is not correctly heated and ventilated it would be an idea to wipe down with this solution whenever the bathroom is given a clean. No reason why the bleach/water mix could not be left in a spray bottle for this purpose.

Colin

The bottle must be UV resistant if you do this.

 

[EddyCurrent]

The OP said, "customer wanted", which means they were in a position to offer some kind of service.
I can't believe that someone in a position to offer such a service would ask such a basic question about mould removal when even my grandchildren know the answer. Am I missing something here ?

 

[Sandyn]

Hi Designer, I see you are fairly new to the forum. Welcome!!! I somehow feel as if I should apologise for how the thread has developed. It is nothing to do with you. Hopefully you will get lots of helpful suggestions.
I think both ideas are good, ventilation/ paint, but my experience with this type of problem is ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. Tackle the source of the problem first. Is there a good extractor in the bathroom? with a good long over-run to get the water vapour removed after a shower/bath?

I also use a dehumidifier in the bathroom for about an hour after a shower when I don't want to pump all the hot air out through the wall.

For cleaning up, as Colin suggested I use a bleach solution, but you do get some effective proprietary solutions for that. Bleach is very cheap .
I have a stained glass single glazed window in my bathroom. Every so often I get a toothbrush (just use the wife's) and a bleach solution, some clean warm water in a pump spray and a wet dry vacuum. I scrub the lead borders with the toothbrush and bleach solution then flood the area with water from the sprayer while vacuuming it up to remove all the crap.
I'm not sure where the mould is in the centre picture? Is there some at the corner of the white painted area? That could be caused by a thermal bridge causing a cold spot. Then if appropriate use some anti mould paint after cleaning it completely.

 

[pgrbff]

It's a window, in the UK, how do you propose to do that? I have never yet seem a window that doesn't suffer from mould.

Clean the mould with bleach and then re-paint with a mould resistant paint, this will need re-doing every 5 years approx.

If you have the correct ventilation you are far less likely to get mould. I go for 8 or more air changes an hour and usualy install a fan with timer and humidity sensor. I lived in Ireland for 20 years in an 18th century stone house with no damp problems at all.

 

[Rorschach]

If you have the correct ventilation you are far less likely to get mould. I go for 8 or more air changes an hour and usualy install a fan with timer and humidity sensor. I lived in Ireland for 20 years in an 18th century stone house with no damp problems at all.

That's fine if two conditions are met, 1. you have the money to pay for the lost heating by changing the air so often, 2. the air outside is drier than the air inside. Where I live it's wetter outside than it is inside for large parts of the year, ventilation is of course needed for healthy living but it does nothing to dry out the house.

 

[pgrbff]

That's fine if two conditions are met, 1. you have the money to pay for the lost heating by changing the air so often, 2. the air outside is drier than the air inside. Where I live it's wetter outside than it is inside for large parts of the year, ventilation is of course needed for healthy living but it does nothing to dry out the house.

It removes large amounts of saturated air quickly so it is less likely to condense in the room. I assume most homes have some form of heating. You will then still possibly get some problems in cold corners where there is less air circulation. I buy household name fans on ebay for less than £50, normally >£200. I guess you have to choose then. Run the fan for 10 minutes and lose some heat or have a mouldy bathroom. It's quite damp in Ireland too.

 

[baldkev]

In terms of the cleaning, i wouldn't use bleach. Years back i was taught that theres different bactrria that cause mould and bleach kills off the weaker type, so the mould generally comes back blacker after bleach..... which is why you get poroper mould and mildew treatments.... i personally would use oxalic acid to treat it, it should kill off the bacteria and restore the oroginal colour. Then do a good job of redecorating the window to help seal it again.

As said above, the root cause needs to be addressed as well

 

[pils]

If you have the correct ventilation you are far less likely to get mould. I go for 8 or more air changes an hour and usualy install a fan with timer and humidity sensor. I lived in Ireland for 20 years in an 18th century stone house with no damp problems at all.

Of interest:
1. did that stone house have any mechanical ventilation?
2. Stone walls lime mortar/plaster/render?