UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 27
Default Help with condensation

I hope someone can help, and has time to read my post...which is quite
long...!

Info first!
-------------

We live in a 3-bedroomed semi detached circa 900 Victorian house. It
has brick walls, DOES have a cavity but too small to insulate so our
rooms are often chilly in the morning in winter without heating etc
(eg 15/16deg)...Rooms (inc kitchen and bedrooms) are generally large 6
x 7 mtrs and 3m hig ceilings.

House has concrete floors downstairs and fully UPVC double glazed, has
recently has new loft insulation has GCH (approx 12 rads) and is
generally good state of repair. Next door (attached) however has been
empty for some time and thus is not heated (this may be relevant!)

Every winter or on colder periods I experience condesation in the form
of:

1) Water dripping down windows in main bedroom and often downstairs
rooms in the morning (which all clear mid day)
2) Damp feeling (and often slight mould growth in exposed corners) in
back bedroom (this room unused but see below)
3) We have a hygrometer that reads generally around 60-70% normally in
most rooms, but often over 80% in the back bedroom at times - its
never below 60% anywhere in the house
4) Slight mould growth in the bathroom (directly above the shower)
5) Dampness INISDE the cupboards of the front bedroom (these are
directly built onto the outside wall of the front bedroom). We had the
same in the back bedroom, but have removed the cupboards here...
6) Condensation in the back downstairs toilet (but only on the tile
floor)
7) We have solid wooden 'firedoor' type doors which always start to
'stick' (due to high moisture?) but then shrink back later in the
year!

I have read LOTS of posts regarding similar problems from many others,
and here are my conclusions to the causes and possible solutions....I
might be WAY off line and missing something obivous here, but here
goes

Causes?

1) We DONT have any extractor fan in the bathroom (which is situated
between the main and back bedrooms)
2) We DONT have any extractor fan in the kitchen, where we do the
cooking, etc
3) Wife tends to dry washing near the radiator (front bedroom near
window!) rather than put in tumble dryer (which IS vented outside!)
4) UPVC windows DONT have trickle vents and are NOT left in the vent
positon (security) and not in the front bedroom for noise reasons
5) The front bedroom cupboards are lined with about 2mm of polystyrene
(but this doesnt seem to prevent condensation forming on top of it
occasionally)

So, from all of the reading I have done here...this is my plan (in
order!)

1) Install decent extractor fan (with timer shutoff, connected to
lights) - in the KITCHEN and BATHROOM - Can anyone recommend a decent
one? Is it worth paying the extra for a humidistat model?

2) Line the cupboards in the front bedroom with 25mm polystyrene, put
carpet on the bottom (just floorboards at the moment) - hopefully this
will stop coldness coming in from the wall on which cupboard is built
on - as the back of the cupboard is just the wall/polystyrene - Ill
probably 'no more nails' the 25mm polystyrene sheets on top of the 2mm
(its not near any electrics)

3) The back bedroom seems to have slight mould/most damp in the
extreme corners (bottom) where the corners are external walls when the
outside temp is cold - as this wall is exposed (and has the window). I
am also seeing small damp patches in the bottom corners of the wall
inside of the window? - I plan to accompany the exisitng GCH rad with
a smaller elelctric fire which I will place near one of the problem
corners, facing the other...so hopefully the additional heat from here
will help warm the cold air from the outside walls/window

Oddly this back bedroom all year round has a slight 'wet plaster' type
smell, but has NO signs of dampness anywhere at the moment. It was
replastered (and a new UPVC window) last year..so we thought it was
still drying! Roof has been checked, and there are no problems with
guttering...maybe its just as its next to the bathroom and never used
- and the install of extractor in bathroom/extra heat in winter will
help

We have a 6ft by 9ft 'box' room (has no window and no heating in it) -
which is currently just used for junk/storage - we dont have
condensation problems in here!. Would I bet better off hanging 'wet
washing' in here along with a demudifier (and close the door!) - Some
items cant be tumble dried, so is this better than 'drip drying' on a
radiator?

Hopefully Ill see a difference with the extractor fans in the kitchen/
bathroom and if I insulate the cupboards better, possibly the bedroom
temprature will stay higher in the winter to prevent condensation.

I also plan to leave the heating on ALL OF THE TIME in winter and set
the room stat to 17-19 (any guide on whats best?) so the house never
gets below this (as often we wake and the rooms are 14-16)...we have a
fairly new condensing boiler so hopefully wont cost too much!

Some people have commented on installing noiseless extractor fans in
the bedrooms also (that run all day) - Ive never heard of these, and
hopefully wont come to that, but if anyone can recommend anything else
(especailly if youve had any of my experiences) - I would be very
grateful

Also, dry lining walls has been another recommendation to keep the
heat in...but unless we are decorating rooms from scratch, I dont
think this is an option at the moment either.

Thanks - J

  #2   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 153
Default Help with condensation




We live in a 3-bedroomed semi detached circa 900 Victorian house.

More Edward the Elder than Victorian. Sure its not listed?
--
Graham.


  #3   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 9,369
Default Help with condensation


wrote in message
ups.com...
I hope someone can help, and has time to read my post...which is quite
long...!

Info first!
-------------

We live in a 3-bedroomed semi detached circa 900 Victorian house. It
has brick walls, DOES have a cavity but too small to insulate so our
rooms are often chilly in the morning in winter without heating etc
(eg 15/16deg)...Rooms (inc kitchen and bedrooms) are generally large 6
x 7 mtrs and 3m hig ceilings.


Why is the cavity too small?
How small is it?

House has concrete floors downstairs and fully UPVC double glazed,


Lack of ventilation.. main cause of condensation.. most UPVC suffers from a
lack of ventilation IME.

has
recently has new loft insulation has GCH (approx 12 rads) and is
generally good state of repair. Next door (attached) however has been
empty for some time and thus is not heated (this may be relevant!)

Every winter or on colder periods I experience condesation in the form
of:


Buy a dehumidifier or three.
They reduce damp and recover heat so keep you warmer.
The alternative of more ventilation will cost more in heating.


  #4   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 27
Default Help with condensation

Thanks for replies, please see below

Oops, it was built 1900 not 900...sorry for typo


Why is the cavity too small?
How small is it?



When we had the roof insulation work done, we also had 2 x quotes from
Cavity wall people - both probed the wall with a measuring tool and
both said that the cavity was too small to fill...

I dont know the exact cavity size, but from memory (after a brick was
removed) it was about an inch - inch/half


Open bedroom windows, except when you're sleeping in there.
Open other windows when you're in the house.


Only problem we have then is heating? - If we open windows in winter
(when condensation worse) - the house will get very cold and the
heating bill going up! - I will try to use the night vent setting on
the upstair windows though


For the built-in cupboards, take the polystyrene off (fire
hazard) and line the external walls with 25mm Cellotex or
Kingspan. You could plasterboard over this if you want.



Im not a great DIY'er...are these Celotex boards easy to fit? The
cupboards arent easy to navigate inside...I could just about stick
polystyrene sheets to it (once cut to size!) - can anyone tell me if
the Celotex/Kingspans can be cut also?? - Do I have to make a wooden
frame to fit them inside, or could I 'no more nails' them??

I take on board the fire hazard comment, so would probably prefer
another method like this!


You might find that the extractor fans are not necessary if
you do just these things.


Im surpised at this as nearly everyone Ive spoken to (builders,
plumbers etc) and a lot of people on the groups have said no.1
priority should be extractors to aid air movement and to retain warmth
(dew point etc)

Seems Im learning more, so thanks for replies so far.










  #5   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,024
Default Help with condensation

On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 05:17:49 -0700,


For the built-in cupboards, take the polystyrene off (fire
hazard)


Polystyrene wall tiles in a cupboard are not a significant fire
hazard, replacing them will achieve little.

Im not a great DIY'er...are these Celotex boards easy to fit?


Yes - but it isn't addressing the real problem so I wouldn't bother
with it.

You might find that the extractor fans are not necessary if
you do just these things.


Im surpised at this as nearly everyone Ive spoken to (builders,
plumbers etc) and a lot of people on the groups have said no.1
priority should be extractors to aid air movement and to retain warmth
(dew point etc)


The priority should be on ventilation not just extraction. Extractor
fans only work if there is fresh air coming from somewhere and in a
totally double glazed house with possibly blocked chimneys it isn't
easy to control where the air comes in. Opening windows isn't really
suitable as a long term solution as it increases noise and draughts.

It doesn't take the brains of a dried prune to recognise (as you
already have) that the way you are living is putting gallons of water
a day into the house. If you don't get rid of that water vapour the
problem will always remain - it will just move around a bit.

Extractor fans are better than nothing if carefully planned and
installed, but they would need to be running non-stop in your
situation. It may be more appropriate to look at a whole house
ventilation system with the amount of water you are evaporating.

Have a look at
http://www.feta.co.uk/rva/
http://www.villavent.co.uk/domestic-...on-systems.htm
http://www.bsee.co.uk/news/fullstory...R EMENTS.html

In the short term a couple of dehumidifiers, one upstairs and one
down would certainly help a lot.
--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/


  #6   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 27
Default Help with condensation

Thanks Chris/Pete, more suggestions for me to take in.

I already one de-humidifier that tends to get moved about, and it does
extract a fair amount of water, so Im sure that we are producing a lot
of water (and there are only 2 of us!)

We laundry usually once a day/every other day and at least a shower
each etc so a lot of water is being produced.

Also Chris re "mould growth Is this black coloured?" - the mould isnt
REALLY bad, it seems to be smal black specs that start to appear after
the wall has had damp patches where the condendation falls' quick wipe
with some 'de moulder' and its gone. We get small black spots on the
seal around the windows also, but again seems to be where the water
droplets fall...

I think I will start with the extractor fans, and then persuade the
wife to dry the clothes in the tumble drier (which is vented to
outside). We can leave the bathroom and back bedroom windows on night
vent (locked) in the daytime this may help

As for the cupboards...I have mixed responses...

Clearly, due to the dripping windows in winter and the condesation in
the cupboards which in the top/unused cupboards sometimes is wet to
touch, the front bedroom is an annoying problem...I had hoped that
insulating the bottom cupboards (which have only a 2mm polystyrene
roll type covering) and top cupboards with 25mm poly or kingpsan would
help insulate the bedroom and thus help the the condensation

The top cupboards are just bare wall (with a lot of crappy old
plaster) - so these get REALLY cold.

As well as insulating the cupboards (trying to stop cold walls and
draughts etc) should I look at putting ventlation grills in a couple
of the doors on the cupboards to aid circulation? The wife has more
clothes than Victoria Beckham and are all taightly jammed packed in
the wardrobe which Im sure is also contributing to restricted air flow
no doubt

I have a question..couple of our friends have 'new' houses, that are
ultra insulated (cavity wall, upvc, loft, no chimney breast etc) - and
(although they complain about house being too warm in summer!) have a
really warm house in winter and no condensation problems...I have
asked and looked but cant see any obvious form of ventilation in these
homes (other than extractor fans) and presumably they are more
insulated than mine..?

How do the new homes 'get rid' of their vapour?

Many thanks!


  #7   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,024
Default Help with condensation

On Sun, 22 Jul 2007 07:31:55 -0700, "
wrote:

As for the cupboards...I have mixed responses...

Clearly, due to the dripping windows in winter and the condesation in
the cupboards which in the top/unused cupboards sometimes is wet to
touch, the front bedroom is an annoying problem...I had hoped that
insulating the bottom cupboards (which have only a 2mm polystyrene
roll type covering) and top cupboards with 25mm poly or kingpsan would
help insulate the bedroom and thus help the the condensation


Condensation is caused when warm humid air falls in temperature to
below where it can hold all its water as vapour. Hot air can hold
more water vapour than cold so when it strikes a cold surface it
cools, cannot hold as much water, and the water condenses out onto
the surface.

Insulating the surface will stop condensation there but won't alter
the amount of water already in the air.

The top cupboards are just bare wall (with a lot of crappy old
plaster) - so these get REALLY cold.


Its common when the air in the house is sufficiently moist for
exposed corners to be the place you first see condensation.

As well as insulating the cupboards (trying to stop cold walls and
draughts etc) should I look at putting ventlation grills in a couple
of the doors on the cupboards to aid circulation?


Not really, the air coming in will simply add more water - not less.
It's the house you need to ventilate, not the cupboard. With
adequate insulation the cupboard temperature will hopefully rise
above the dew point and condensation shouldn't occur.

The wife has more
clothes than Victoria Beckham and are all taightly jammed packed in
the wardrobe which Im sure is also contributing to restricted air flow
no doubt


They also act as in insulator :-)

I have a question..couple of our friends have 'new' houses, that are
ultra insulated (cavity wall, upvc, loft, no chimney breast etc) - and
(although they complain about house being too warm in summer!) have a
really warm house in winter and no condensation problems...I have
asked and looked but cant see any obvious form of ventilation in these
homes (other than extractor fans) and presumably they are more
insulated than mine..?


A lot use trickle ventilators above the windows, these are a cheap
but not hugely effective method of achieving air exchange. An active
or passive stack whole house ventilation system is preferable. Also
a lot won't generate anything like the amount of water vapour you
are. They probably use a tumble dryer and the bathrooms will have
extraction systems. The cooker probably has a hood extracting
outside.

--
Peter Parry.
http://www.wpp.ltd.uk/
  #8   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,175
Default Help with condensation

I suspect you have correctly identified the causes.

You need to get more ventilation in the house.

Open bedroom windows, except when you're sleeping in there.
Open other windows when you're in the house.
Dry washing outside, or in the tumble trier, or make a small
drying room or cupboard using a dehumidifier...
http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?...yer&oldid=2179
For the built-in cupboards, take the polystyrene off (fire
hazard) and line the external walls with 25mm Cellotex or
Kingspan. You could plasterboard over this if you want.

You might find that the extractor fans are not necessary if
you do just these things.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]
  #9   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 31
Default Help with condensation

On 22 Jul, 12:13, " wrote:
I hope someone can help, and has time to read my post...which is quite
long...!

Info first!
-------------

We live in a 3-bedroomed semi detached circa 900 Victorian house. It
has brick walls, DOES have a cavity but too small to insulate so our
rooms are often chilly in the morning in winter without heating etc
(eg 15/16deg)...Rooms (inc kitchen and bedrooms) are generally large 6
x 7 mtrs and 3m hig ceilings.

House has concrete floors downstairs and fully UPVC double glazed, has
recently has new loft insulation has GCH (approx 12 rads) and is
generally good state of repair. Next door (attached) however has been
empty for some time and thus is not heated (this may be relevant!)

Every winter or on colder periods I experience condesation in the form
of:

1) Water dripping down windows in main bedroom and often downstairs
rooms in the morning (which all clear mid day)
2) Damp feeling (and often slight mould growth in exposed corners) in
back bedroom (this room unused but see below)
3) We have a hygrometer that reads generally around 60-70% normally in
most rooms, but often over 80% in the back bedroom at times - its
never below 60% anywhere in the house
4) Slight mould growth in the bathroom (directly above the shower)
5) Dampness INISDE the cupboards of the front bedroom (these are
directly built onto the outside wall of the front bedroom). We had the
same in the back bedroom, but have removed the cupboards here...
6) Condensation in the back downstairs toilet (but only on the tile
floor)
7) We have solid wooden 'firedoor' type doors which always start to
'stick' (due to high moisture?) but then shrink back later in the
year!

I have read LOTS of posts regarding similar problems from many others,
and here are my conclusions to the causes and possible solutions....I
might be WAY off line and missing something obivous here, but here
goes

Causes?

1) We DONT have any extractor fan in the bathroom (which is situated
between the main and back bedrooms)
2) We DONT have any extractor fan in the kitchen, where we do the
cooking, etc
3) Wife tends to dry washing near the radiator (front bedroom near
window!) rather than put in tumble dryer (which IS vented outside!)
4) UPVC windows DONT have trickle vents and are NOT left in the vent
positon (security) and not in the front bedroom for noise reasons
5) The front bedroom cupboards are lined with about 2mm of polystyrene
(but this doesnt seem to prevent condensation forming on top of it
occasionally)

So, from all of the reading I have done here...this is my plan (in
order!)

1) Install decent extractor fan (with timer shutoff, connected to
lights) - in the KITCHEN and BATHROOM - Can anyone recommend a decent
one? Is it worth paying the extra for a humidistat model?

2) Line the cupboards in the front bedroom with 25mm polystyrene, put
carpet on the bottom (just floorboards at the moment) - hopefully this
will stop coldness coming in from the wall on which cupboard is built
on - as the back of the cupboard is just the wall/polystyrene - Ill
probably 'no more nails' the 25mm polystyrene sheets on top of the 2mm
(its not near any electrics)

3) The back bedroom seems to have slight mould/most damp in the
extreme corners (bottom) where the corners are external walls when the
outside temp is cold - as this wall is exposed (and has the window). I
am also seeing small damp patches in the bottom corners of the wall
inside of the window? - I plan to accompany the exisitng GCH rad with
a smaller elelctric fire which I will place near one of the problem
corners, facing the other...so hopefully the additional heat from here
will help warm the cold air from the outside walls/window

Oddly this back bedroom all year round has a slight 'wet plaster' type
smell, but has NO signs of dampness anywhere at the moment. It was
replastered (and a new UPVC window) last year..so we thought it was
still drying! Roof has been checked, and there are no problems with
guttering...maybe its just as its next to the bathroom and never used
- and the install of extractor in bathroom/extra heat in winter will
help

We have a 6ft by 9ft 'box' room (has no window and no heating in it) -
which is currently just used for junk/storage - we dont have
condensation problems in here!. Would I bet better off hanging 'wet
washing' in here along with a demudifier (and close the door!) - Some
items cant be tumble dried, so is this better than 'drip drying' on a
radiator?

Hopefully Ill see a difference with the extractor fans in the kitchen/
bathroom and if I insulate the cupboards better, possibly the bedroom
temprature will stay higher in the winter to prevent condensation.

I also plan to leave the heating on ALL OF THE TIME in winter and set
the room stat to 17-19 (any guide on whats best?) so the house never
gets below this (as often we wake and the rooms are 14-16)...we have a
fairly new condensing boiler so hopefully wont cost too much!

Some people have commented on installing noiseless extractor fans in
the bedrooms also (that run all day) - Ive never heard of these, and
hopefully wont come to that, but if anyone can recommend anything else
(especailly if youve had any of my experiences) - I would be very
grateful

Also, dry lining walls has been another recommendation to keep the
heat in...but unless we are decorating rooms from scratch, I dont
think this is an option at the moment either.

Thanks - J


Dear J
You appear to have got all the correct data. Most impressive.
Item 1 is I suspect you sleeping and producing water from breathing
I agree with the post saying to avoid extractor fans unless you are
scrupulous about having them on a timer you control. It is cheaper to
remebmer to open and shut the bathroom/kitchen windows!
I would consider some form of trickle vent capacity so water vapour
can get out of the "sealed" (now that you have so well sealed the
Victorian house with double glazing) rooms which it can do when the
vapour pressure is higher inside than outsite. This can be done in
adjacent masonry rather tnan your new windows. It is not critical to
do this because the right way forward is to identify the activities
that are causing water production and eliminate or reduce them.
What are they? Well simply breathing can produce 1.5 odd litres
overnight so, contrary to advice of others and on good health grounds
for other reasons, I would sleep with the windows slightly (or fully
if you want to consider yourself a hardy type!) open and turn the
heating down only to come on just early enough to warm the place up as
you wake up.
Bathrooms
Avoid usual issues of drying washing over the bath and hanging out wet
towels etc ie eliminate production of water. Bathrooms rarely cause
condensation unless in multiple continuous use so simply opening and
shutting windows is all that is needed
Kitchen
This causes a lot of condensation and perhaps an extactor here could
be useful. Make sure it is not left on too much - only when needed. I
personally would use windows or dehumidifiers. Often the problem here
is stupidity - not putting lids on saucepans. SWMBO (of so 35 years)
still will not put lids on pans and has them boiling away on full gas
in the vain hope of raising the temperature above 100! Cleary, despite
having done Physics to A level standard not remembered her pressure
Temp laws! (nuff of that)
All the advice to date from others on de-humidifiers is excellent and
I endorse it all
Drying clothes will be a large part of the problem. I suspect were
you only to do one thing - buying a dehumindifer that had proper
controls would be the best solution to the problem if you are not
happy to change life habits.
Cupboard
I endorse not useing polystyrene
Apart from that suggested by others there is also Wedi board
(expensive) and better still British Gypsum reveal boarding (if you
want to lose less of the cupoard
I would put on 25 Kingspan myself
Re Item 2
mould growth
Is this black coloured? probably Aspergillus niger if so. Typical
location for condensation. Suggest solution is to combine
removal of water sources first and see if that fixes it
general de-humitification
failing those anti condensation paint
failing that dry lining to make dew point better with yukky
polystyrene wall paper (LAST resort!)
dry line the whole wall with reveal board and replaster
If there is a cornice a detail can be made at the top to appear ok
and skirting can be removed and replaced or simply lost
3) is the other major cause of the problem - SWMBO medicine
required... best suggest de-humid cupd on basis of cost but dont envy
you this attempt at persuasion. Could bang on about the mould growth
being not good for lungs so she must not contribute to cause... Good
luck
Chris

  #10   Report Post  
Posted to uk.d-i-y
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 25,191
Default Help with condensation

wrote:

We live in a 3-bedroomed semi detached circa 900 Victorian house. It


I take it you mean 1900...

House has concrete floors downstairs and fully UPVC double glazed, has
recently has new loft insulation has GCH (approx 12 rads) and is
generally good state of repair. Next door (attached) however has been
empty for some time and thus is not heated (this may be relevant!)


It won't help

1) Water dripping down windows in main bedroom and often downstairs
rooms in the morning (which all clear mid day)


Short of not breathing you can't stop the source of that. Using the
trickle vent position on the window would help though if it does not
make the noise too bad.

4) Slight mould growth in the bathroom (directly above the shower)


Humidistat controlled extractor is well worth having in rooms with a
shower - especially if you have a high pressure shower. Having the
extraction point in the ceiling directly above the shower is the most
effective.

5) Dampness INISDE the cupboards of the front bedroom (these are
directly built onto the outside wall of the front bedroom). We had the
same in the back bedroom, but have removed the cupboards here...


As others said a foil covered PIR foam product like celotex, kingspan
etc. This can be cut with a sharp knife and is not much harder to work
with than polystyrene. You can also get plasterboard sheets with this
stuff pre bonded to the back of them - very good for dry lining walls etc.


1) We DONT have any extractor fan in the bathroom (which is situated
between the main and back bedrooms)
2) We DONT have any extractor fan in the kitchen, where we do the
cooking, etc


A ducted cooker hood will make a big difference here. Also stops the
room getting quite so hot in summer, and reduces the amount of grease
that ends up covering surfaces.

3) Wife tends to dry washing near the radiator (front bedroom near
window!) rather than put in tumble dryer (which IS vented outside!)


This is a big no no! in your circumstances.

5) The front bedroom cupboards are lined with about 2mm of polystyrene
(but this doesnt seem to prevent condensation forming on top of it
occasionally)


2mm is not really enough...

1) Install decent extractor fan (with timer shutoff, connected to
lights) - in the KITCHEN and BATHROOM - Can anyone recommend a decent
one? Is it worth paying the extra for a humidistat model?


I have found the manrose ones to be ok. It is worth having the
humidistat in the bathroom. TLC do a standalone humidistat that can be
used to control ordinary fans - handy when you want them installed
remotely in loft spaces etc for ducted operation (which reduces fan
noise as well).

2) Line the cupboards in the front bedroom with 25mm polystyrene, put
carpet on the bottom (just floorboards at the moment) - hopefully this


Yup, PIR foam and carpets.

3) The back bedroom seems to have slight mould/most damp in the
extreme corners (bottom) where the corners are external walls when the
outside temp is cold - as this wall is exposed (and has the window). I
am also seeing small damp patches in the bottom corners of the wall
inside of the window? - I plan to accompany the exisitng GCH rad with
a smaller elelctric fire which I will place near one of the problem
corners, facing the other...so hopefully the additional heat from here
will help warm the cold air from the outside walls/window


A bigger rad would be cheaper to run. Or perhaps a fan assisted rad
since these distribute the heat more widely and quickly than ordinary
convector rads.

We have a 6ft by 9ft 'box' room (has no window and no heating in it) -
which is currently just used for junk/storage - we dont have
condensation problems in here!. Would I bet better off hanging 'wet
washing' in here along with a demudifier (and close the door!) - Some
items cant be tumble dried, so is this better than 'drip drying' on a
radiator?


Here sounds like a good place you build a drying cupboard with a
dehumidifier.

I also plan to leave the heating on ALL OF THE TIME in winter and set
the room stat to 17-19 (any guide on whats best?) so the house never
gets below this (as often we wake and the rooms are 14-16)...we have a
fairly new condensing boiler so hopefully wont cost too much!


A programmable thermostat is the way to go here. You can then set
different temperatures for different times of day (you leave the heating
set to run full time, and let the stat take care of the actual
requirements). That way it only kicks the heating in should a minimum
temperature of your choice be reached at any point in the day.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd -
http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Condensation John Edgar UK diy 14 March 19th 05 10:12 PM
Condensation Zinzan Home Repair 8 February 5th 05 10:36 PM
Condensation Zinzan Home Repair 3 February 2nd 05 11:11 PM
Condensation dizasster Home Repair 1 February 2nd 05 12:28 AM
A/C condensation barry martin Home Repair 2 June 26th 03 10:17 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:01 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2025 DIYbanter.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about DIY & home improvement"