New skirting and one area mouldy

[Stonehouse]

We have new skirting boards fitted against our NHL plaster.

We chose MDF ogee. However, I understand pine would have been more suitable. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

I then used NHL plaster to fill the gaps between skirting and wall so I did not have to use caulk. It looked good and worked well.

There is one area where if I slide paper underneath it comes out mouldy. I’ve tried to use bleach. And two other areas have had some mould on the top of the surface. I can only think this is from the water in the lime plaster but everywhere else is fine and no signs! Now, I wish I had caulked!

Does anyone have any ideas how to remove? I’m guessing we may have to remove the whole piece and put a new piece on but I won’t fill with lime as I think the water in the lime has caused the mould against the mdf.

I should also mention that we are a suspended timber floor and no issues that I am currently aware of.

Thank you so much

 

[aockenden]

So you're just trying to remove some lime that you mushed-down into some gaps between skirting board and the underlying wall's surface? I would recommend using a multitool as shown in the pic with a masonry-cutting (or even metal-cutting) blade to sort-of grind and break it up behind the skirting board without needing to take the entire board off the wall. The angle / offset of the blade allows you to hold the chunky handle while still aiming the blade straight downwards parallel to the wall. You might need a second pair of hands to hold a vacuum against the gap to suck-away the mortar as it gets ground-down / pulverized.

 

[shreee]

I've seen a fair bit of mould on gloss painted MDF skirting in various properties, new builds still being constructed and a below ground level part of a house. You might still have had problems with mould without the moisture from the lime.

 

[Stonehouse]

I've seen a fair bit of mould on gloss painted MDF skirting in various properties, new builds still being constructed and a below ground level part of a house. You might still have had problems with mould without the moisture from the lime.

Thank you so much. It’s bizzare that it’s only in two places. A small amount of thick plaster was used and NHL is very quick drying. I suppose I did use a damp sponge.

Do you know why the Mdf is prone to mould? Does it eventually go away? I will use a dehumidifier. Thank you!

 

[shreee]

Unfortunately I can't help further, it was just an observation I made a few years ago. I'd never heard of it before but I wasn't very impressed.