I've been living in this apartment for about a year now. I did take and send pictures of all the things I found within a few days of the handover. Something didn't really strike me at first but now I'm kicking myself in the butt for just not bringing it up back then, just in case. I wanted to get opinions if this is a common issue:
Photo Attached
The exterior cellar walls (3 of them since our unit is a corner unit all the way at the end of a long hallway) which were painted white (when building was built in 2013) have these dirty looking splotches on them. More in the corner (where washer and dryer stand) and maybe its because they were installed and used pretty soon after painting. BTW there are no windows and each cellar room is self-contained with totally closed doors. A swiss neighbor told me, when I brought it up, that sometimes the builders dont really let the paint fully dry and because it's a cellar it's more likely to happen and that's what kinda causes these "moldy" splotches. It doesn't look like mold. It looks like dirty fingerprints. I noticed that a neighbors cellar (first in line in the hallway) has one exterior wall and doesn't have this. My guess is that the neighbor's unit was easier aired out. None of the "prints" changed in the last year (I also keep a crystals-type dehumidifer and an electric one (but not in winter when it freezes) in the cellar). It just seems part of the paint; not wipeable or anything. I don't think its active mold in any way.
I wanted to ask how commonly this happens (if what my swiss neighbor told me is accurate). It was splotchy when we moved in (and not like the light is that bright) but I honestly thought it was just bc it's a cellar wall. But because it's some minute thing I didn't take a photo of back then, it's just been bothering me. So whenever I end up moving out (in years?) Id feel more confident about it if I knew how ubiquitous this was.
Sorry - didn't see the photo upload error on first post.
Are there changes in texture as well, in the spots? Or just in the color? The reason I'm asking is to make sure that it's not actually "spackling" -- where a thick paste was used to fill in holes, and then when that dries, it's usually a different color from the walls.
If you're willing to paint the walls yourself, you can try using some of this stuff to paint it (or ask your landlord or whatever painting company they hire to use it or something similar). It's like a special anti-humidity / humidity-blocker paint:
https://www.doitgarden.ch/de/p/67605...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
"For the insulation of damp and wet walls. Ideal for insulating damp and wet walls indoors and outdoors. Also for sealing moisture in masonry, on plastered walls, on concrete, in basement areas, on foundations, in damp rooms such as bathrooms, showers, kitchens, on retaining walls, wells and plant troughs. Can be used on all mineral substrates that do not contain gypsum. E.g. on masonry made of sand-lime bricks, aerated concrete bricks, etc. Molto Feucht Blocker can be used above and below the ground and can also be applied to slightly damp surfaces. Processing: The substrate must be sufficiently firm and load-bearing and free from layers that reduce adhesion such as dust, dirt and loose parts. Close cracks, holes and bumps with a suitable Molto powder filler."