how to solve damp in porch?

mameha

Situation/Problem:

I bought a house this summer and it has a small porch of 1m x 1.5m which as we enter winter is now getting moisture on the walls. It is bare brick externally, and painted plaster on inside with a single 80cm circle window. There are some minor cracks in the paintwork but not flaking off yet. The porch is anywhere between 30 and 10 years old. The porch is on the north side of the house so doesn't get sun. It has no heating at all, no radiator etc. Previous owner had an electric oil radiator in there.

Possible solutions:

1) Heat it - Put in an electric oil radiator (£20)
2) Heat it - put in underfloor electric heating mat (£100?) under the lino.
3) Ventilate it - prise open the letterbox to let air in/out. (£0)
4) Dehumidify it - put in electric dehumidifier (£150)
5) Protect it - Put on some Thompsons Water Seal (£5) on external brickwork (but I think problem is not leakage through bricks)

Any advice or other options?

saveallmymoney

This is caused by the moisture laden warm air from the main area of your house when you open the door between the two I would think. Warm air hits the cold wall and condensation is the result.

Short of a massive insulation job, i think the oil filled radiator is a pragmatic solution.

mameha

I've bought a dehumidifier as it is cheaper to run (70W model) and my goal is to remove moisture rather than heat the room. Will see how it goes.