Help with sudden damp 'infestation'

[negger]

The Nuaire system looks very interesting and I can see why some landlords with just condensation issues may go that way as it looks relatively inexpensive too. As the OP's problem seems to be only seasonal condensation it may be the answer he's looking for.

I wonder what the running costs are ? .... I see they say in the literature it's extremely low but I know when I've supplied a de-humidifier to some tenants they don't use them because of the worry of increased electric bills.

I agree about it not being the tenants fault, neither is it the landlords with respect to condensation .... drying clothes on radiators is a major culprit in winter, I try to explain to some tenants about not blocking air vents or trickle vents but some just don't get it :/

 

[Paul11]

Wow I am glad this thread is here, I am doing my annual battle with condensation and solid cold bricks walls. As I have slowly redecorated my house I have put up polystyrene sheets on the external walls which has helped but not cured.



Will this do the job for a 3-bed end of terrace?

http://www.solarcrest.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=PIV020

it is designed for a flat which is on one level

there are other similar products deigned for houses which get installed in the loft

call up the company and check with them which they suggest

 

[Paul11]

Ah looks like a Drimaster2000 is what i need not a Flatmaster2000:

http://www.condensationproducts.co....asp?intCatID=30&content=nuaire_drimaster_2000

Paul11: A couple of questions if I may? Since you seem to have installed these, are they noisy? Do they run 24/7?

yes they run 24/7 and on the lowest setting make a small humming noise

there are meant to be installed in the hall, and you get used to it very quickly

The Nuaire system looks very interesting and I can see why some landlords with just condensation issues may go that way as it looks relatively inexpensive too. As the OP's problem seems to be only seasonal condensation it may be the answer he's looking for.

I wonder what the running costs are ? .... I see they say in the literature it's extremely low but I know when I've supplied a de-humidifier to some tenants they don't use them because of the worry of increased electric bills.

I agree about it not being the tenants fault, neither is it the landlords with respect to condensation .... drying clothes on radiators is a major culprit in winter, I try to explain to some tenants about not blocking air vents or trickle vents but some just don't get it :/

they are quoted at running at around 1/2p per day

re the cause, it is caused by people/breathing/drying clothes etc but some properties are just built badly and it does not matter what you do, you will have this problem. this is a building fault and as such , i believe, falls to the landlord

 

[Janesy B]

for anyone that is interested, this is the thing that solves the problem. its called a Nuaire Flatmaster 2000

http://www.nuaire.co.uk/products/ca...sitive-input-ventilation-piv/flatmaster-2000/

Thanks for all your input Paul, it's appreciated.

I might have missed it, but is this a downstairs room? If it is then it could be that your cavity is filled with rubble above the DPM. this is a very common problem and often mistaken for rising damp.

It's an upstairs room.

 

[Mark A]

To a much smaller extent, a small about in the corner of the window bay. I think this problem is too deep to be fixed with slapping something on the walls and opening a window (I do this anyway).

I have fit new windows on lot of these type of property and I have never seen one of these bays with a cavity wall. They are usually 2 skins of bricks tied together with brick headers.

If it was mine I would insulate the interior walls of the bay with insulation backed plasterboard. I have insulated my downstairs loo after getting advice from here and it has made a massive difference. The walls before were plaster straight onto brick and the walls were always freezing cold, this allowed condensation to form very easily. With the insulation there, the walls are much warmer, so there has been no sign of any condensation.

 

[Janesy B]

I have fit new windows on lot of these type of property and I have never seen one of these bays with a cavity wall. They are usually 2 skins of bricks tied together with brick headers.

If it was mine I would insulate the interior walls of the bay with insulation backed plasterboard. I have insulated my downstairs loo after getting advice from here and it has made a massive difference. The walls before were plaster straight onto brick and the walls were always freezing cold, this allowed condensation to form very easily. With the insulation there, the walls are much warmer, so there has been no sign of any condensation.

The external facing wall feels cold, but not much colder than the internal walls. I take it the insulated plasterboard can go on top of the existing plaster or does it require stripping back to the brickwork?

 

[koolpc]

Quite a few positive air systems about and they always have good reviews. Well worth the outlay. Thinking of getting one myself at some point. Nephew is an electrician so he can help do the wiring!

 

[Narj]

I get a little of this in the cold weather - my bathroom has 2 exterior walls. I have an extractor fan but I don't think it's quite strong enough as I still get some condensation in the corner. Fortunately it's tiles down there and new plaster/bathroom paint so easy to wipe off if I need to.

Leaving the bathroom door open when finished helps.

The problem never happens unless it's *really* cold, thankfully.