The Ongoing Mould Nightmare for a Blackheath Couple
A couple in Blackheath faces relentless mould issues in their council flat, causing severe distress and health concerns
Blackheath, Greenwich, Mould, Council Flat, Damp Issues, Mental Health
The couple has lived in their flat for 29 years, but things took a turn in 2021 when mould started showing up. Rita says it all began after the council tried to fix some damp issues in their son’s bedroom. Lately, they’ve noticed that the plastic guttering outside is causing water to soak into the walls whenever it rains, which has led to leaks in their bathroom.
Last August, the council replaced the guttering and did some work on the wall, which seemed to help with the leaks. But the mould? That’s still hanging around, and Rita says surveyors have warned that the wall will need a complete overhaul soon.
She recalls the first time they reported the mould, saying, “The wall is all mouldy and horrible. Water was pouring out the bottom of the window.” It’s been a nightmare for them, especially when they found puddles on the floor at night.
Things got worse when they noticed rain hitting their living room window, leaving a wet patch on the sill. A council repair team came out last October and sprayed a sealant on the brickwork, but that didn’t solve the problem. Instead, the mould just kept spreading.
Mr. Barry mentioned that a surveyor told him the mould was due to water trapped in the bricks after the sealant was applied. To make matters worse, they’ve had contractors miss six appointments to fix the issues since last October.
“It’s like mental torture,” Mr. Barry said. “You’ve got health issues to deal with, and then the council adds to the stress with their delays. It’s a total mess.” The situation got so bad that they had to sleep on a camp bed and cushions in their living room.
A spokesperson for Greenwich council acknowledged the delays and said they’ve recently restarted work to address the outstanding issues. Let’s hope they get it sorted soon for Kevin and Rita.