green fungi

[Lloydy b]

Hi to all,i'm just enquiring about a green dust that has resided in my outhouse that i built in the summer.
I built a blockwork framed hut with a timber roof which i built while we had a lot of rain on and off and now on the underside of the timber joists and ply roof decking there is a green fluffy dust which has smothered most of the surface.Unfortunately i have an allergy to this substance which effects my ears and i was looking for some advice how to clean it all up.
I have tried a fungicidal wash from Wickes d.i.y but this only got rid of some black spots i had on the wood but the green stuff came back with a vengence.Its a bit of a mystery where it all comes from and i have been told that as long as i have the windows open then the spores will always come in to settle on the wood which is still a little damp due to the climate and the fact that the building has large conifers behind it blotting out the sunlight.
Can anyone advise me on how to get rid of the visible stuff,and do i keep the vents open while it is all drying out etc,
many thanks Lloyd

[Hedge Witch]

I suspect this is algal in origin (not fungi but a primitive plant).

I'm guessing there are algicides available

[Lancashire Lad]

Any chance of posting a couple of photo's Lloyd?

If you could, a general view, and also one as close up as your camera will focus, will be more likely to get a few opinions.

I'm tempted to agree with Hedge Witch, but it still might be some type of fungus, so photo's would definitely help.

Regards
Mike.

[Lloydy b]

thanks for your replys guys,
i'll get to work on some piccys,though i'm not a great wizard on computers so you might have to wait a little while so maybe it could be an algi of some kind,do you think that the conifers might be the culprit?

[gleditsa]

Originally Posted by Lloydy b

thanks for your replys guys,
i'll get to work on some piccys,though i'm not a great wizard on computers so you might have to wait a little while so maybe it could be an algi of some kind,do you think that the conifers might be the culprit?

i would say its the moist conditions inside your shed that are the cause of the green growth,rather than the conifers, as the spores will be in the air most if not all of the time,

try washing the affected areas with a strong solution of household bleach ,(probably cheaper than buying a fungicidal wash)and keep the shed well ventilated , a portable heater will help dry things out,
you may have to treat the affected areas several times before you get rid of the mould growth,and it will come back if the conditions are right for it,
the airborne spores can cause some respiratory problems if inhaled so take precautions when disturbing the growth by wearing a mask,(disposable dust masks from b&q etc should suffice to prevent inhalation of the spores in large numbers,

[Lloydy b]

Thanks Gleditsa ,i'll try the bleach and the ventilation but i'm concerned that if i leave open the windows will it encourage more of the same to come back or should i put on a fan heater with the windows slightly open,i suppose once its dried out properly then all should be ok?

[gleditsa]

while the wood is still damp ,there is no guarantee that it wont reappear,
once you have got it dried out completely, you could try a wood preervative, (after removing all traces of the mould) , which will help preserve the timber and help to stop it reappearing(a spirit based preservative, as opposed to a water based one if possible, as the spirit based ones penetrate the timber more deeply, a bit more expensive perhaps?)
fresh air and dry conditions are the long term preventative though.

[Lloydy b]

thanks again i'm sure there's a good one down at wickes,all the best

Lloyd