Maxyboy Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Over the summer I resealed all my upstairs windows where all the old silicon was starting come away. Ever since the cold weather has started we have been getting a fair amount of condensation on the windows in the morning. Something which I've never had before. Worryingly, my wee girls room actually had streams of water running down her wall. I realise that the house may be over insulated ect and drying clothes on the radiators doesn't help but is there anything I can do? Is a dehumidifier the way forward and if so can anyone recommend one? The house is a 3 bed detached with the problem limited to upstairs. Thanks chaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 This one is very simple, open some windows. Generally you find people in rented accommodation (don't ask me why), often complain of condensation, but when you go around to check the house, they have the heating on, windows shut, clothes on radiators. The house simply need some ventilation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Do the windows have trickle vents? Trickle Vents for UPVC Windows Rooms must breath, condensation is bad (screws paint, plaster, wood and health- also encourages black spot mould). As a start you must stop drying clothes on rads, you should use the bathroom fan when showering or in the bath, you should open any air vents such as ones fitted if the house had old fireplaces which have been blocked off or removed. Make sure when cooking that the kitchen vent / extractor is used. A dehumidifier would help, but since they use power, are noisy and require emptying regularly they aren't really the correct solution to a house with inadequate ventilation. The solution is correct venting. An alternative to trickle venting at the window is room vents, the nicest are the round styles which come in various sizes and aren't difficult to fit. Buy or hire an sds drill and a brick core cutter with a decent arm (15" ) drill from inside through the 1st brick and 'just' to the point where the centre pilot drill breaks through to the outside. Then go outside and drill inward using the break through point as the centre. That stops the shot gun / blow out on the facing brick and makes for a tidy job. Grilles and air vents, SDS London, Architectural Ironmongery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted November 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 Thanks gents, I think the only window vent we have is on the patio doors but I'll check that when we get back. I can't really open the windows and leave them either as they are more or less fully open or fully shut. There are vents in every room on the wall but I wonder if they are blocked, or even worse pebble dashed over when the house was re-done, another thing for me to check. Not buying the dehumidifier is my favourite option too as they ain't bloody cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 They aren't a solution to the problem either, what type of windows do you have? If they are the UPVC type, they will often have a vent position, where they can be locked in the almost shut position, so they allow ventilation but are still secured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted November 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 They aren't a solution to the problem either, what type of windows do you have?If they are the UPVC type, they will often have a vent position, where they can be locked in the almost shut position, so they allow ventilation but are still secured. Just home now, they are upvc yes, but they don't really have a proper vent position. They have 3 positions, shut/top open and fully open. I will try and put it in an in between position tonight and see how I get on. [ATTACH]44971[/ATTACH] The photo shows the top open position which is just too much. If tonight works I'll just have to try an remember and close them all properly before leaving the house. Ps the windows were all fitted before I bought the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted November 6, 2011 Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 What was the update on the air bricks, have they been obscured by pebble dash, or might they be closed via the vent 'slid' function on the inside covers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted November 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2011 [ATTACH]44972[/ATTACH] That's the type of vent in the upstairs rooms. They look to be clear enough but there is no real sign of air flow through them and no sign that they have been pebble dashed over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4ttm4son Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Ventilation and make sure that the steam from he bathroom isn't travelling to the rest of the house. Send it all straight out the window/ extractor fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 [ATTACH]44972[/ATTACH]That's the type of vent in the upstairs rooms. They look to be clear enough but there is no real sign of air flow through them and no sign that they have been pebble dashed over. Get a decent high power light source, shine it through and if the external grill lines up (and is clear) your see a light ! It has been known to offset grills, so internal at top of room and the air flow is via the cavity to external air bricks / grills at different level. Check that all external grills are clear, not covered up with debris. A candle should have go flicker movement (which proves air flow) at the internal grill point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxyboy Posted November 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 Get a decent high power light source, shine it through and if the external grill lines up (and is clear) your see a light !It has been known to offset grills, so internal at top of room and the air flow is via the cavity to external air bricks / grills at different level. Check that all external grills are clear, not covered up with debris. A candle should have go flicker movement (which proves air flow) at the internal grill point. Thanks Chris, I'll give that a try later in the week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted November 7, 2011 Report Share Posted November 7, 2011 I haven't yet read all the replies above but I can offer some advice. If you do decide you want a dehumidifier forget Ebac. Despite being a market leader and perhaps even considered a specialist their products are cheaply made crap, I have had 3 personally (1 faulty from new) and 1 of my parents, all failed at the fan motor bush which causes the motor to stall, get hot and potentially catch fire. For an always on bit of kit, regularly left unattended in you home it is unacceptable. Buy a Delonghi. I use mine regularly for laundry that cannot be tumble dried as I do not have a garden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontyslapper Posted November 14, 2011 Report Share Posted November 14, 2011 I bought a cheap (30-40 quid) dehumidifier from Aldi/Lidl a few years back to sit in the bathroom. It is constantly on and has given stirling service. You watch now - the bugger will pack up and die now I've sung its praises! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleywater Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Sounds like you have a "cold" walls, acting as major condensation plates, what type of construction is your house? Brick Cavity / Stone etc and how old is it? If you get an ambient room air temperature to wall temperature differential exceeding 2 degrees centigrade, combined with a reasonable humidity level, you will get the noted condensation forming, straight ventilation by opening windows etc, will not always cure the situation, and you may need to resort to forced ventilation via a suitably sized fan to atmosphere, the last resort would be a dehumidifer as you have to evacuate or pipe the condensate away, obvioulsy either of these options cost energy, but there are companies like NU Aire, who have systems specifically designed for these type of issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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