Mould Smell

[tiggerblue10]

I've got a mortgage surveyor coming round tomorrow but there's been a mould smell coming from a cupboard under the stairs for a number of years. My dad has tried to locate the source of the smell but we can't see where it is.

Any ideas on what could be causing it and how I get rid of the smell?

[tiggerblue10]

I can't stand the smell of bleach and I've tried mould and mildew remover which has a bleachy smell. I've got zoflora which I can wipe on the light bulb in there and other stuff.

[teacake44]

If you put the candles in there, place a joint of gammon in there to it should be nice and smoked by the weekend. :0)

[AuntPollyGrey]

Tiggerblue don't stress yourself over the Mortgage surveyor -honestly they do very little! He will have a damp meter which he will put against the walls which will give him a reading, look in the loft to check if you have insulation and maybe ask you a few questions about any renovations or additions to the structure you have or have not made. He will 'cast an eye' outside for obvious signs of shifting foundations (very rare) and if yo have a flat roof on any part of the property he may have a closer look at that.
As for the smell under the stairs - I would leave the door open as long as you can and give it a massive spray of neutradol or similar literally as you see him walking to the front door.

[ummmm]

Wouldn't you rather the smell of bleach rather than mould? It's only short term.

I'd use more zoflora than that. Wipe everything you can without making it a job.

[Chipchopper]

I found it worrying, after reading in the news recently about a man who accidentally burnt down his home, after leaving tee lights unattended on a table.
Please take care!

[bhg481]

Are you ABSOLUTELY sure it's mould? I ask because we had a faint smell in our hall at our last house (we were even told what a nice smell it was by a friend) which turned out to be a very slight gas leak.
I would also be very wary of using something to hide the smell immediately before the surveyor comes - it would make me very suspicious that you were trying to cover something up; better to have some coffee brewing or some cakes baking.

[AuntPollyGrey]

bhg Neutradol does not mask smells it neutralisers them.

[bhg481]

APG - I would expect an experienced surveyor to be aware of such trick. Mind you, would probably be aware of coffee/baking as well.

[tiggerblue10]

The surveyor will be wearing PPE but they may remove their mask at some point to check for smells. All the doors and windows are open now and I'll do the same tomorrow morning to let air circulate.

Also I've just started wiping the walls down with antibac spray.

[alavahalf]

The only reason I asked if it smelt of mushrooms is because that would be an indicator of dry rot.

[tiggerblue10]

No smell of mushrooms, alavahalf.

[TonyV]

tigger not much you can do before tomorrow, the surveyor will test the walls with a damp meter. You may have to take an offer depending on results. The surveyor will be acting for your potential buyer.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Tony its a Mortgage survey -The survey is commissioned for the Mortgage Company, not the buyer.

[Tilly2]

How did it go, Tiggs?

[tiggerblue10]

He was here for all of 5 minutes, took some wall readings with red light pointy thing and left. He said the report would be ready by tomorrow. Just the waiting now to see if the EA contact me saying the buyer has pulled out because they won't give her a mortgage.

[tiggerblue10]

Wonder what the removed answers were?

[AuntPollyGrey]

// Just the waiting now to see if the EA contact me saying the buyer has pulled out because they won't give her a mortgage.//
If you have got as far as the Mortgage survey she probably has a Mortgage in Principle -based on her income. From what you've said the Surveyor has not seen anything of concern or he would have been there longer. Don't worry!

[Mamyalynne]

They were Spam posts Tiggs.