dehumidifier for drying loft

Peter1988

Hello,

I was after some advice about a dehumidifier for drying out a heavily condensated loft (both interior felt and thick insulation is very wet).

From what i've researched, my best bet would be a desiccant dehumidifier?

I can rent a small dehumidifier from a local tool hire company for £65 a week, or alternatively I've seen a reasonabley priced 1 for £145 including delivery.

http://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/prod148842?gclid=CNbsi76v-rQCFQ7LtAodlREAQg

If I rent 1 and it requires more than 1 week to dry out, or I need it again I may as well have bought the 1 above.

Could you please advise what you would do, and also if they come in useful in other areas so I can justify buying 1?

Alternatively, any other suggestions welcomed!

Thanks

Peter

Gloomendoom

Have you checked that the ventilation is adequate?

If you do go down the dehumidifier route, check what the minimum temperature it will operate at. At this time of year, your loft will be (should be) close to the temperature outside.

Peter1988

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Have you checked that the ventilation is adequate?

If you do go down the dehumidifier route, check what the minimum temperature it will operate at. At this time of year, your loft will be (should be) close to the temperature outside.

We're getting a builder in to fit soffit vents and some air bricks for £200 to better ventilate the loft

The desiccant dehumidifer I was looking at can definitely work at this temperature range. As much as the guy from the tool hire shop said theirs would be fine, I think it will be less effective.

tony6403

Assuming that you have some effective ventilation work carried out , a dehumidifier working in your loft would be trying to dehumidify the planet.

Rotor

It does sound very wet just for atmospheric moisture condensing out. Has someone vented an expellair fan into the loft?

Peter1988

Rotor wrote: »

It does sound very wet just for atmospheric moisture condensing out. Has someone vented an expellair fan into the loft?

Basically we bought the house and the homebuyers report picked up there was no ventilation in the house. There is no extractor fan in the bathroom or kitchen, no soffit vents or air bricks etc.

We had the loft hatch open for roughly 2 weeks back in November whilst the whole house had it's ceilings replastered, the water storage tank had no lid and there is a hole where a dodgy tv engineer has fitted an aerial and cable.

The house was also occupied by 1 elderley lady and is now occupied by 2 adults and 2 young children, so alot more heat is generated and more clothes washed, baths etc.

the insulation is 8 inches in height from the ceiling plasterboard to its tip.

I dont believe there is any leak or fan going into the loft

Gloomendoom

Peter1988 wrote: »

Basically we bought the house and the homebuyers report picked up there was no ventilation in the house. There is no extractor fan in the bathroom or kitchen, no soffit vents or air bricks etc.

We had the loft hatch open for roughly 2 weeks back in November whilst the whole house had it's ceilings replastered, the water storage tank had no lid and there is a hole where a dodgy tv engineer has fitted an aerial and cable.

I think that, along with inadequate ventilation, is the cause of you problem. Sort the ventilation out and the attic will dry out.

As alluded to earlier, dehumidifiers work best in sealed rooms. Putting one in the attic is akin to trying to use one to dry your lawn.