Condensation in my house

Hobnob


Joined: 20/11/2010
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 19:46

I am getting alot of condesation in my home and wondered if a dehumidifier would be worth buying.



Does anyone use a dehumidifier to help reduce the condensation in their home?



Does you think it works?



What should I look for when buying one?



Thankyou

hawkeye


Joined: 12/09/2010
Posts: 334

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 20:49

If your using LPG for heating then that could be th e problem.......Dehumidifier could be your answer.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 21:00

Use your a/c on dehum. Usually a raindrop symbol.

Hobnob


Joined: 20/11/2010
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 21:23

Thanks.



A/c's are not in all the rooms and as such we are using portable LPG gas heaters.



Where is the best place to buy a dehumidifier in the TRNC?

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 21:50

A Dehumidifier is one answer,but a properly built "Insulated" house is the ultimate answer.......

ttoli


Joined: 24/03/2007
Posts: 1172

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 21:54

Argos r us were advertising them recently, Next to Erdeners.

One tip would be to look for a large water tray(or you'll forever be emptying it), or a facility to connect to a drain hose.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
26/12/2011 22:04

You can't make a silk purse from a pigs ear..........But keep on trying ... I'm sure the local electricity board will be delighted........

Brainbox


Joined: 26/12/2011
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 00:01

Yes i got 1 in Argos r us but its only limited success

Ossie


Joined: 19/01/2008
Posts: 311

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 06:49

I purchased an Ebac dehumidifier from the south and it has completely cleared our house of any damp and condensation that we used to have.It is also appears to be cheap to run unlike A/C units.Go on the web and you will see Ebac's advert. Contact them and they will give you the distributers name in the south.

Ossie


Joined: 19/01/2008
Posts: 311

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 07:00

Re message 9,type on your search bar Dri-Home,Cyprus,full details there.We purchased the 2650 model. Excellent buy.

Hobnob


Joined: 20/11/2010
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 07:34

Msg 8 Brainbox:



Which one did you buy for Argos r us?



Msgs 9 & 10 Ossie:



Thank you for your help and information, will definitely check this out as we do not want black mold appearing on our walls again!

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 08:18

martinD41,



A properly insulated home is the answer. Well we had a properly insulated home in the UK but when we had tenants in, it was plagued with black mould due to condensation. The tenants never opened any windows and the lady ironed with a steam generator iron in the bedroom and then complained her clothes went mildew in the wardrobes. Ventilation is part of the answer and a good dehumidifier will help but finding the reason why you get condensation in the first place would be my priority. Opening windows when showering, cooking etc. all helps. Portable gas heaters produce a lot of condensation, so if you are heating your home using one of these, look for alternatives.

Hobnob


Joined: 20/11/2010
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 08:34

Msg 12;



To be honest, I ignored martinD41 as the house is already built and we are renting so there is little we can do about the condensation other than to try and minimise it, also we do not want to cause problems for the landlords with mildew etc.



We do not have the luxury of having a/c's in all the rooms so we are using the portable gas fires. We do open windows when cooking, showering and throughout the day. We do not hang wet clothes in the house.



Hence enquiring about a dehumidifier.



The only other thing I can think of buying would be the oil filled radiators but do these cause damp? I don't know as I have never used them before.



Do they use much electric or expensive to run?

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 08:55

during the days when its sunny open the windows get some fresh air through the place and that will sort out most of the dampness

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 09:08

Oil filled radiators are expensive to run(and produce DRY heat),but if you are using LPG gas fires which produces a lot of water vapour, and then running a De humidifier to combat the condensation, I would think the relative running costs are the same.

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 10:12

Burn a kilo of gas and you produce a kilo of water vapour. Similar with paraffin. This isn't the answer to damp in a house. A/C units are not expensive to run when you compare the work that they do in reducing humidity. A dehumidifier works on exactly the same principle as an a/c unit, so like for like they use the same amount of electricity as a dehumidifier of the same power.

flutterby


Joined: 11/01/2008
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 10:59

We found that when the apartment was just built, we had a lot more condensation and as the years go on, we have less condensation, perhaps due to a drying out process of the walls?? We use the gas cylinder for heat, but also leave windows open very slightly, and we now have virtually no condensation.

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 12:41

It seems to be that the answer is properly constructed buildings such as double brick on a damp course or membrane combined with intelligent housekeeping and maintenance. For most, because of poor build quality, this cannot be the case in TRNC. Unventilated oil heaters, and the like, add to the problem and there is no substitute for proper ventilation by day and as much dry heat as affordable for prolonged periods of the daily cycle. It is necessary to accept even a disproportionate amount of your income to achieve this, otherwise walls cupboards etc become blackened by dangerous spores and soft furnishings, bedding, clothing etc are susceptible to damp and mold. We have had to take on this expenditure and curtail other enjoyable social activity as the alternative is to risk illness such as pneumonia

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 12:53

I'm afraid Deputydawg is right. Fundamental flaws in construction methods and design are the main reason for very costly ineffective/inefficient "Heating" in winter and "Cooling" in summer ....Little can be done until the builders move into the 21st century...

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 13:12

The locals seem to manage with out moaning.

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 13:22

So do the local Builders..

deputydawg


Joined: 30/03/2010
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 13:30

And the fuel suppliers especially the log men !

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 14:24

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned "HOT AIR BLOWERS" ?

Used in moderation they are excellent .

Mine is from the UK and placed in front of me when watching telly, (Who needs the whole room warmed!?) it is fantastic for keeping me warm, as and when required.

It also has a de-humidifying capability but I do not need this.



Gerry

Pippie


Joined: 02/12/2009
Posts: 1288

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 14:51

Suggest on sunny days open the doors and windows to get some ventilation in to the house and then use your dehumidifier or air con at night. An advantage to 'de-humidifying' your house is that it will seem to warm up over time because you haven't got as much damp lingering. However, I find that my dehumidifier throws out a draft that makes me cold when going on in the room I'm sitting in, so I would prefer to use an air con unit instead. Perhaps plug the dehumidifier in a room you're not using at the time (eg, bedroom) and remember to close all doors and windows otherwise it's useless!

chriswife


Joined: 30/03/2011
Posts: 449

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 21:25

does salt help

blade


Joined: 19/06/2010
Posts: 1286

Message Posted:
27/12/2011 22:17

Personally i would find somewhere else to rent!

We have an ancient house, have no damp or condensation problems. Heated by a wood burner only.



Build quality is a serious problem here in the TRNC but then i guess you only get what you paid for?

Hobnob


Joined: 20/11/2010
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
28/12/2011 07:23

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply.



We do all of the above re ventillation etc but find that when cooking and heating up the rooms in the evenings is when we get condensation, even though we leave a window open slightly.



I think the way to go is to buy a dehumidifier so I am off looking today!

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
29/12/2011 18:17

I would like to buy a dehumidifier but does anyone know where, either here on in the south please?



My husband called into Argus r Us and they don't have any, I rang the company that sell Ebac in the south and they don't exist anymore!

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
29/12/2011 18:44

Save money and open a window, that's what I do and if you go to most cypriots house in the day time, they will either have a window or door open or both.

Allan


Joined: 28/12/2010
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
29/12/2011 18:44

I think too many people blame the Cyprus build, there is some credibility in this but that's not the main problem, (insulated buildings with lack of ventilation also have their own problems) most people in this thread have suggested an open window and this will be your answer, of course a dehumidifier will assist, don't open your window a little, open it more, especially when a problem is evident, ensure there is a sufficient flow of air, not just the one room, but essentially the house, single storey properties are more prone to condensation, when the main condensation has evaporated or dispersed, then put the windows on catches to allow some air change within the room, this will be when sleeping or living as we cause condensation just by breathing.

sylvie


Joined: 12/03/2008
Posts: 1081

Message Posted:
29/12/2011 20:27

our house was built 3 years ago very well isolated but ..... the first year in winter we noticed that the window didn't have air circulation - a very funny smell in the house - we 've done the necessary on all the windows and no more problem ! it is very comon when you leave your house and shutters cosed for a long time -

pacos


Joined: 16/08/2009
Posts: 119

Message Posted:
29/12/2011 20:51

Good ventilation and bucket of salt

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
29/12/2011 20:55

easy peasey ,

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
30/12/2011 06:52

Always be wary of a posting that starts with "I am no expert".



Now I am no expert but whilst the dehumidifier would use a significant amount of electricity it is also a heat pump so you would be getting the benefit of the heat it produces in the same way as air con.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
30/12/2011 07:06

Thanks Colly,



We do not have a/c's downstairs at all so this is another reason why we are considering a dehumidifier.



Anyway, my husband failed to find one on this side so off Southwards today to see what we can find.

Cyprusactive


Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 128

Message Posted:
31/12/2011 14:48

When I was in the TRNC a couple of years ago I used to write the Mr Fixit column in Cyprus Today and covered many points like condensation etc. I will dig up the old articles and make them all available on line. Condensation and similar problems are actually simple to cure it is a balance between source of moisture, heat and ventilation. Kirk Bracey has some big diamond core drills and can fit through the wall ventilators, with hit and miss register plates which are very effective, he has fitted some on one of my old villas. But that is only part of the story - oh yes de-humidifiers are very good! I think he is on 0533 843 3001.

ingalill


Joined: 17/06/2009
Posts: 136

Message Posted:
31/12/2011 15:28

Im dealing with humidity and condensation in our flat by opening balcony doors /windows in our bedroom for tiny space like max 2-3 mm (enough to put piece of paper. Im living doors opened for all night and day. Only when there is heavy wind Im cloasing them. so far no condensation in flat, and no problems with "mushrooms" like we had last year.

Im keeping doors to guest room and extra bathroom closed all the time.

Hobnob


Joined: 20/11/2010
Posts: 55

Message Posted:
08/01/2012 07:56

I bought a humidifier (Fagor DH16) and what a huge amount of water it collected in 4 hours and that was just from the lounge, so at the moment we are very happy with this.



Thanks for all the comments above.

keyholekate


Joined: 08/05/2009
Posts: 81

Message Posted:
08/01/2012 12:00

Have a look on the next page. I posted a message yesterday and someone replied and said they had a dehumidifier for sale.

maz-h


Joined: 24/08/2009
Posts: 50

Message Posted:
08/01/2012 13:00

We have a de humidifier for sale.Still in box, never used, 300tl



maz

0533 8248627