New build - drying laundry?

PurplePopcorn

I’ve just bought a new build house and have been told by the developer not to dry my laundry indoors. In my previous house I would of course hang it outside when the weather was warm/dry enough, but if not I would hang it all on clothes horses in the spare bedroom, switch on the dehumidifier and close the door. In the winter the radiator would also be on to heat the room. I’ve been told that I shouldn’t use this method in my new build home and instead should use a tumble dryer. Trouble is, most of my clothes aren’t suitable for a tumble dryer so I’m a bit stuck. What should I do?

AdrianC

Buy new clothes.

Seriously, so long as there's plenty of ventilation (or the dehumidifier) you won't have an issue. The developer's trying to preempt people complaining about mould because they've dried them without ventilation.

PurplePopcorn

AdrianC wrote: »

Buy new clothes.

Seriously, so long as there's plenty of ventilation (or the dehumidifier) you won't have an issue. The developer's trying to preempt people complaining about mould because they've dried them without ventilation.

I’d love to buy new clothes, but given the cost of the new build I’ve just bought I don’t think I’ll be buying anything much for a long time 🙈

Thanks for your answer. I asked about this during my home preview and the sales manager who was showing me round got very aggressively agitated and insisted I don’t dry laundry indoors at all, even with a dehumidifier and good ventilation. This is what’s worried me!

anselld

PurplePopcorn wrote: »

I’d love to buy new clothes, but given the cost of the new build I’ve just bought I don’t think I’ll be buying anything much for a long time 🙈

Thanks for your answer. I asked about this during my home preview and the sales manager who was showing me round got very aggressively agitated and insisted I don’t dry laundry indoors at all, even with a dehumidifier and good ventilation. This is what’s worried me!

Not sure on what basis they think they can tell you what to do in your own home. Is it Leasehold? Is this stipulated in the lease?

PurplePopcorn

anselld wrote: »

Not sure on what basis they think they can tell you what to do in your own home. Is it Leasehold? Is this stipulated in the lease?

It’s freehold. They were very concerned about the potential of damp/mould as the property needs to dry out so I assume it’s to do with that. I was worried that using a dehumidifier might cause the room to dry out too quickly!

G_M

As above they are covering themselves from a subsequent complaint about internal damp or mould.

But it's a genuine issue. Modern houses are built very well! They are efficiently insulated. Have double glazing. And few gaps or draughts. So any wet air that is introduced (not just washing, but cooking and bathing too) canot easily escape. The moisture will settle on cold surfaced (eg external walls) and can cause mould.

Open windows, de-humidifiers and extractor fans all help to let moisture-laden air escape.

Central heating will not help!

But they cannot stop you drying clothes indoors - only advise!

PurplePopcorn

G_M wrote: »

As above they are covering themselves from a subsequent complaint about internal damp or mould.

But it's a genuine issue. Modern houses are built very well! They are efficiently insulated. Have double glazing. And few gaps or draughts. So any wet air that is introduced (not just washing, but cooking and bathing too) canot easily escape. The moisture will settle on cold surfaced (eg external walls) and can cause mould.

Open windows, de-humidifiers and extractor fans all help to let moisture-laden air escape.

Central heating will not help!

But they cannot stop you drying clothes indoors - only advise!

I was told to keep the heating at 21C and not use a dehumidifier 🙈

G_M

PurplePopcorn wrote: »

I was told to keep the heating at 21C and not use a dehumidifier 🙈

and presumably to mow the lawn monthly, vacuum the floor weekly, and change you pants daily,

pinkfluffybabe

We moved into a new build in winter a couple of years ago. I dry washing inside regularly. Make sure windows are open and it's fine. The house does need to dry out but you also need to be able to live in it.

Marvel1

Ignore the developer, it's your home not theirs, and switch on the dehumidifier when drying indoors - I do this during bad weather, in fact right now I have it running drying clothes.

Thrugelmir

PurplePopcorn wrote: »

I was told to keep the heating at 21C and not use a dehumidifier 🙈

As a new build property, will take some months for the property to dry out naturally. You are free to do whatever you want in your home. Just don't expect any sympathy or compensation if matters take a turn for the worse.