Condensation....again

ronnyb_2

I've read all the numerous threads on this subject both on here and on diynot. It seems the problem is common and no doubt made worse by this cold winter. Our house has condensation on an outer wall in the main bedroom. It doesn't happen when the bedroom is not slept in and I have attributed it to moisture from breathing. Leaving the upvc windows on vent and the bedroom door open doesn't aleviate the problem. We have considered cavity wall insulation but having searched the net it seems it can actually make the problem worse. I understand why it occurs, warm air condensing on the cold wall etc and have thought about using the polystyrene lining available diy stores but am not very hopeful it will cure the problem. Has anyone had any success with this stuff?

Fire_Fox

Is the rest of your house well ventilated? Do you dry laundry indoors? Open windows immediately after cooking/ showering? Any water vapour created elsewhere will 'gravitate' to the coldest room and condense on the coldest surface. Breathing is a major issue, but it may well be 'topping up' air that is already damp. Have you tried a dehumidifier?

philgee

Agree with Fire Fox. Keeping kitchen door shut when cooking (and opening window if possible), ventilating bathroom after shower/bath etc can all help to alleviate condensation problems.

Keeping the house warm as well as ventilation can help as it keeps the dewpoint (i.e. the point at which condensation forms) higher.

ariba10

A Dehumidifier is well worth investing in.

Mazio_2

I agree a dehumidifier worked for us in downstairs rooms not sure you would want it running through the night in bedroom though.

Magnolia

I have come to the conclusion that it is all down to the weather. We have never had a condensation problem but this winter we have - nothing bad but enough to be noticed.

We have now had 2 dreadful summers and because of wet weather more drying of clothing has been done indoors when traditionally we would have had it outside in the sunshine. Even when it was a nice day and you could open the doors and windows the air outside was damp and didn't do much for drying the fabric of the house out. Add normal living to the equation and our homes have become even damper - a de humidifier is probably the best way to go but that adds more to the leccy bills - its a dilemma for sure :rolleyes:

ronnyb_2

Yes, we,ve got a dehumidifier but you don't want it on in the room when you're asleep at night. I've tried to reduce the amount of moisture ie steam from the bathroom and wet washing etc in the house. The problem doesn't happen when the bedrooms not in use. Nobody has answered the question though about the polystyrene lining on the wall and it's effectiveness?

27col

Using polystyrene on the wall would have much the same effect as having the cavities filled. The proviso being, that to get the same effect you would have to use polystyrene 50mm thick. I suppose you could stick some polystyrene slabs to the wall and see what the effect was. Just stick them lightly to the wall so as to be able to easily remove them, if they were not performing as you were expecting.
Myself, I would always go for cavity fill. My walls have been done for 30 years and there have been absolutely no ill effects.