Damp and dehumidifiers

[Kram]

Anyone recommend a dehumidifier? They only seem to give a tank size and no power rating. The house is generally around 75% RH so we think we need one.

It started off with slugs getting in and the corner of room being wet. Its taken us a week to dry it out and clean it up, but as we cant see any way in, we think it is condensation.

 

[voipio]

I've used an Ebac one for many years. Their website gives useful tips and information.

Dehumidifiers

www.ebac.com

 

[gaz1]

sorry but unless pics are shown your talking alot of words for just said advice

the better type are those with a pipe to the outside not a tank filled type

yet again your also better off with a sealed property then the unit can pull damp out of the house instead of just from the air all the time

 

[Milkybars]

EBAC. There warranty of upto 3 years on certain models is great and they do repair service (for up to 10 years old)
Oh and they are Built in Britian and offer some videos to help you choose what would be right for you https://www.ebac.com/dehumidifiers/range/

 

[voipio]

sorry but unless pics are shown your talking alot of words for just said advice

The exact Ebac model I have isn't available any more, so a pic wouldn't be much use, but it has been reliable and has been continuously powered for the best part of 20 years. The only issue with it was the foam air filter disintegrated a few years ago, but it works fine without it.

 

[8ob]

Personally I would be checking out ventilation before running dehumidifiers.

Bob

 

[gaz1]

Personally I would be checking out ventilation before running dehumidifiers.

Bob

id be looking at other areas first as poor maintenance can be the issue

poor pointing
gutters full
roof slates cracked
windows leaking at silicone areas

cellers expect damp they are mostly underground

 

[skotl]

As above - dehumidifiers are great for sorting the room out after whatever is wrong has been fixed, but they don't fix the underlying problem.

 

[Kram]

We could use a dehumidifier anyway, and still investigating the problem but the weather has recently stayed dry.

We used towels and dessicant to soak up what we could, and have been weighing them, maybe 100ml of water at most, far less than I thought.

Some pictures. Bookshelf removed and stripping the mouldy paper off.

4 weeks ago this area appeared dry, I was kneeling down here to fit a socket on the side of book shelf! We had a week of heavy rain, then 10 days ago, I noticed some slugs had got in and the carpet was wet, and slimey. They appeared to get in the corner by the phone cable but theres no hole there, it just runs along under the carpet.

There will be no more slugs.

The pointing doesnt look great but theres no obvious problem, I will redo it soon.

Gutters are done recently by window cleaner.

We got a moisture meter and have mapped out. Its reading higher inside than the mortar below and above the dpc outside. I will investigate further after it eventually rains but Im quite happy with the sun for now!
We did think the flat felt porch could be a problem but it is against the upvc. I imagine that needs work, has not been touched in years. After rain I will map the outside wall around the porch.

 

[hunter27]

I have a friend who had the same problem in his bunglow, he was full of praise for a system that he had, had fitted in the loft producing a constant positive pressure into to the house.
I don't know how it gets on with windows being open or ventilation grills but If I had condensation I would look at this first. People with dehumidifiers seem to have to move them around to where they are needed.
Just a link picked at random from the internet. https://www.eco-home-essentials.co.uk/positive-pressure-ventilation.html

 

[badabec]

I have a buy to let in Blackpool, the tenants as usual do not open windows and dry clothes in doors. Damp everywhere.
I had one of these fitted

Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation System

Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation Systems are the most effective method of preventing condensation, damp, and mould. Explore our range of Drimaster-Eco models.

www.nuaire.co.uk

I had the controls placed in the loft. No doubt they've switched it off by now.
A friend in a similar situation fitted one, cleared up the damp in no time.

 

[skotl]

I have this one, which (like welders) is available from a number of places with a bunch of different brand names, so you may be able to get it cheaper.
I got it refurb'd off ebay for £90.

The main reason I like this one is that it has a big tank but it also has a drain outlet - I've had it running in my garage 24x7 (except when the temperature drops below 3C) for the last two years or so and it's been rocksolid.

So when you finally sort out the problem in the house you can repurpose it to the garage!

20L Dehumidifier for damp | VonHaus

 

[Nomad]

4 weeks sounds too quick for condensation, more like a failure somewhere letting the water in (or heavy rains recently after several dry months?). As suggested, look for pointing /tiles / gutters etc ( it sounds like you have already done most of this)

We had similar in a small flat, too much furniture was not allowing air to circulate inb the corners of the rooms so damp was a common problem. We cleared some funiture and fitted small "trickle vents" in the windows to allow continious ventilation. The only problem after that was a new chap who taped up the vents and dried ewashing indoors. Education needed and it was ok afterwards. Random example of the vents https://www.jupiterblue.co.uk/extra-items-c36/trickle-vent-option-select-once-per-roof-light-p311

I have a dehumidifier with a tank that has a drain pipe so you can leave it running and run the pipe outside or to a sink/toilet, it works fine to dry places but only after you've fixed any water leaks in the property.

 

[mtt.tr]

I think you have a water leaking issue

 

[xstian]

I have a buy to let in Blackpool, the tenants as usual do not open windows and dry clothes in doors. Damp everywhere.
I had one of these fitted

Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation System

Drimaster-Eco Positive Input Ventilation Systems are the most effective method of preventing condensation, damp, and mould. Explore our range of Drimaster-Eco models.

www.nuaire.co.uk

I had the controls placed in the loft. No doubt they've switched it off by now.
A friend in a similar situation fitted one, cleared up the damp in no time.

We have this fitted to our house. We live in a sold wall victorian house with single glazed sash windows. This solved our damp problem.

Looking at your photos, I'd say you have more than just a damp issue. Something is wrong for it to be that wet.

 

[Kram]

Ah, I may have took first two photos while spraying anti mould and washing it off the wall behind bookshelf, thats why it looks wet there!
The only excessively wet areas were carpet and the corner of wall next to upvc.

 

[gaz1]

Some pictures. Bookshelf removed and stripping the mouldy paper off.

4 weeks ago this area appeared dry, I was kneeling down here to fit a socket on the side of book shelf! We had a week of heavy rain, then 10 days ago, I noticed some slugs had got in and the carpet was wet, and slimey. They appeared to get in the corner by the phone cable but theres no hole there, it just runs along under the carpet.

The pointing doesnt look great but theres no obvious problem, I will redo it soon.

Gutters are done recently by window cleaner.

We got a moisture meter and have mapped out. Its reading higher inside than the mortar below and above the dpc outside. I will investigate further after it eventually rains but Im quite happy with the sun for now!
We did think the flat felt porch could be a problem but it is against the upvc. I imagine that needs work, has not been touched in years. After rain I will map the outside wall around the porch.

doorway damp replace the door silicone any windows above the wall damp area old propertys have a side bathroom window

as goes for gutters been done unless you have video proof dosnt mean jack all neither does washing all the crap down to the spout and say its clean

damp appears high as well as well as low so that would inform me that you have run down inetween the walls

? has anyone fitted blow in insulation between the walls as this can realy cause a problem

recent earthquake would have broken most cement joints so water can get through in heavy downpours check roof for missing or broken slates/tiles

 

[badabec]

I also have a bijou artisan's dwelling in Accrington. Cast iron gutters, looked fine, at a distance. Up close the backs had rotted out, flooding the water onto the wall. New plastic gutters, fixed.

 

[brightspark]

As above - dehumidifiers are great for sorting the room out after whatever is wrong has been fixed, but they don't fix the underlying problem.

they do its called tumble dryers kettles showers and cooking and your breathing

 

[Kram]

doorway damp replace the door silicone any windows above the wall damp area old propertys have a side bathroom window

as goes for gutters been done unless you have video proof dosnt mean jack all neither does washing all the crap down to the spout and say its clean

damp appears high as well as well as low so that would inform me that you have run down inetween the walls

? has anyone fitted blow in insulation between the walls as this can realy cause a problem

recent earthquake would have broken most cement joints so water can get through in heavy downpours check roof for missing or broken slates/tiles

Doorways not damp, but we did do the floor last year, leveled with tiles, so Id be very worried if the front doorway/hall was damp!

Gutters, you share my sceptism. Last time they were here I saw they had splashed water around but appeared to leave the windows wet and somewhat dirty.

Theres no cavity insulation. Im tempted to drill a small hole from inside, for my bore camera and have a look in the cavity but might show nothing.. the moisture meter readings are higher inside than out, so suggests its not getting in, or outside has dried off since - gets the sun.

Not aware of any earthquake. The mains water does run under the problem area, and I would say the garden is unusually moist for this time of year, but we do not suspect a mains leak.