Damp problem in wardrobe

fifthofwhisky

I have some wardrobes (from a well-known store) fitted along an interior wall right up to the exterior wall.
Damp has been a problem in the cabinet next to the exterior wall (there is approx 2cm air gap), so I have
used dehumidifier pots to counter it. I suspect the radiator (opposite and by the window) is not helping.
Likely this is more of a problem during the colder months than warmer months. I'm reluctant to cut/drill
air vents (cosmetics) but wonder if that would help or if anyone has a better idea. Thank you. 

Jeepers_Creepers

These are fitted wardrobes, mostly along an internal wall, and they have left a 2cm gap between the end panel and the external wall?

Sounds like a thoughtful installation.

Is that 2cm gap open to the room, or has it been sealed off from the front using a matching panel?

And this damp issue - how does it show itself?

Doozergirl

You need some insulation, not just vents.  

It's cold and there's barely any airflow in the wardrobe.    Getting the wardrobe warm is going to be easier than trying to create a draft in a closed box full of stuff.  

coffeehound

Do you have an en suite?  It sounds as though general humidity is high if damp is attracted to the inside of a wardrobe.  Wonder what the condensation is like in the 2cm interspace with the exterior wall . .

coffeehound

Doozergirl said:

It's cold and there's barely any airflow in the wardrobe.    Getting the wardrobe warm is going to be easier than trying to create a draft in a closed box full of stuff.  

Something like this would be ideal: a 10-watt enclosure heater

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/enclosure-heaters/8047559/

Even if left on all the time, it would only cost about £13 a year to run

fifthofwhisky

Jeepers_Creepers said:

These are fitted wardrobes, mostly along an internal wall, and they have left a 2cm gap between the end panel and the external wall?

Sounds like a thoughtful installation.

Is that 2cm gap open to the room, or has it been sealed off from the front using a matching panel?

And this damp issue - how does it show itself?

Gap is open to the upside. Have been using damp pots and they fill up over a few weeks (at least they do in the heating season). I put some pots in the robes furthest from the exterior wall and they also fill. No noticeable effect on contents bu the amount of water removed is a concern.
 

fifthofwhisky

coffeehound said:

Do you have an en suite?  It sounds as though general humidity is high if damp is attracted to the inside of a wardrobe.  Wonder what the condensation is like in the 2cm interspace with the exterior wall . .

Thoughtful comment. No. However, now that you mention it there has been some bathroom work ongoing. Overall moisture levels in the household not particularly high (central heating makes sure of that)

Jeepers_Creepers

fifthofwhisky said:

Gap is open to the upside. Have been using damp pots and they fill up over a few weeks (at least they do in the heating season). I put some pots in the robes furthest from the exterior wall and they also fill. No noticeable effect on contents bu the amount of water removed is a concern.
 

Is the gap open to the bottom as well? If not, there will be little flow of air through that gap, so no great surprise it's both the coldest and more air-stagnant part of the room.

Can you get access to that gap? I wonder if snuggly fitting polystyrene sheet in there to fill it would do the trick?

fifthofwhisky

Jeepers_Creepers said:

fifthofwhisky said:

Gap is open to the upside. Have been using damp pots and they fill up over a few weeks (at least they do in the heating season). I put some pots in the robes furthest from the exterior wall and they also fill. No noticeable effect on contents bu the amount of water removed is a concern.
 

Is the gap open to the bottom as well? If not, there will be little flow of air through that gap, so no great surprise it's both the coldest and more air-stagnant part of the room.

Can you get access to that gap? I wonder if snuggly fitting polystyrene sheet in there to fill it would do the trick?

The gap is not open at the bottom and a skirting board butts up to it. I could slide some polystyrene down from the top. As I mentioned above, I put damp pots in the other wardrobes and found that they too fill with water, albeit more slowly. Will monitor during the warmer months and make sure to do something before the cool season.