Marky P wrote:
On Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:54:26 GMT, Steve
wrote:

Marky P wrote:
Hi,

My flat suffers from a very minor case of damp. I get severe
condensation on all windows (double glazed) and there's a slight
claminess to the walls and bedding. Also, powdered products (ie:
salt, sugar etc) in the kitchen cupboards go hard after a while.
I've noticed the problem seems worse at this time of year.
anything shut in storage cupboards can suffer from mould. Would a
dehumidifier help or is there another way, such as silica gel in
the cupboards?

Thanks,

Marky P.

Ventilation and more ventilation!

Seriously that is the only way. Possibly a dehumidifier might help
but it will only help and not cure problem. Forget silica gel - it
would soon become saturated and then be useless.

Steve


As I mentioned above, I don't think ventilation is the problem, as
there is a slight draft coming through the rubber seals of the
windows. The worst case of condensation is on the bedroom windows in
the morning, even if a window is left open overnight.

Difficult to be certain, but the condensation overnight could be as a
result of you breathing! Or, if the window is say north facing and has
the greatest exposure in the building, moisture generated elsewhere
could be the source.

At present, the building could be "saturated" with moisture. If it is as
a result of your lifestyle - cooking/ washing, etc., then using a
humidifier for a while should result in an improvement in a few weeks
with the amount of water condensed reducing over time - if not, then
there is a serious source of moisture in the building.

We used to suffer from condensation on north facing windows in our
house - particularly upstairs. House 4 bed detached double glazed with
cavity insulation with 4 inhabitants. Initially, I put a dehumidifier on
our landing which dramatically reduced the problem but not completely
resolved. I wondered if the kitchen was the principal source - not just
from cooking and despite using a (outside) vented clothes dryer, some
clothes were frequently ( and still are) left on a "towel rail" on the
kitchen radiator. I moved the dehumidifier into the kitchen and within
days - bingo! Plus, it removed the dehumidifier noise from the upstairs.

HTH