Damp walls including molds and mildew is a disaster, no doubt. But have you ever suggested using a heater as a solution to dry out your damp walls ? Ever gone through blog posts where you are told that it is great when it comes to drying out damp walls ?
These are nothing but complete manipulation.But When it comes to the question, will dehumidifiers dry out your damp walls, the answer is NO but they can reduce the possibility. If your wall is already impacted, having a dehumidifier and placing it to the right place may help in drying out your walls at a decent level but never at the highest.
The reason isn’t fast fetched, most problems relating to dampness concerns water and moisture. And what dehumidifiers are good at is removing wetness. Considering these scenarios , dehumidifiers should perform well to dry out Damp Walls.
Will Dehumidifier Dry out Your Damp Walls?
No, using a dehumidifier can help in reducing the chance of dampness in your walls, however, you need to follow specific instructions. You will need to place your dehumidifier against the walls strategically to get rid of all traces of dampness.
Preferring Wall-mounted dehumidifier however , is a wise decision in this regard. It is not merely that the device is to be placed on walls but more than that. Having a glace at wall-mounted dehumidifier reviews might help you with more details.
It is worthy to note that moisture can affect your walls for several reasons. Let’s take a look at some problems which might cause your walls to be damp:
Condensation
People cook and dry their clothes in their rooms. This has a huge effect on the air situation in your environment. Moisture from these activities frequently causes mold and dew. However, those with better lifestyles can reduce the humidity in their homes.
Penetrating Damp
When your building structure starts to get old, it experiences some defects which include defective roof, leaking render, moist cavity wall amongst others. Also, insulation can permit rainwater to enter your home and damage your property. When this happens patches, mold growth and blurry painting will be visible.
Rising damp
It is also possible to experience dampness when it rises. You should have a Damp proofing course (DPC) to reduce this occurrence. This DPC prevents excess damp from creeping into your wall and everyone should consider having one at home.
Do Dehumidifiers Work Against Damp?
No!, they don’t work against damp. However, when you want to limit the humidity in your room, using a dehumidifier can be helpful. Dehumidifiers aren’t designed to prevent moisture or humidity from the air. Rather they balance the room temperature increasing or reducing moisture and humidity to the inside air.. When finding things that work against dampness, you look elsewhere. To solve the issue completely, it is essential to know why your rooms have high humidity levels.
Reasons for buildings experiencing high humidity levels.are not related only to seasonal changes but our lifestyle also. Blocking the ventilation by keeping the windows closed all day and drying clothes inside the room are some common activities we do in favour of daming. . good ventilation systems can help improve airflow in your building. There are other issues like heightening dampness and incisive damp which your dehumidifier cannot handle. I will recommend buying affordable humidifiers from amazon because they are suitable for most buildings.
When you experience these building defects, you might need to call upon professionals to look at the problem and identify the remedy. Some building structure problems include :
Inadequate damp proof courses
When your room doesn’t have a DPC, or it’s defective, it could cause high damp. To work against dampness, ensure you have the right DPC in the market.
Spoiled rainwater goods
When your gutters are filled or damaged especially during rainy seasons, expect water to enter your building. This is harmful on your properties. You should prevent your properties from getting spoilt from rainwater.
Leaking pipes
When one or more of your pipes suffers from leakage, there is a huge chance that the humidity level will be high. Leaking pipes aren’t an uncommon occurrence, because overtime pipes get rust and accidents can cause a leak. It is your duty to check the wellbeing of your pipes and prevent any damage.
How to Avoid Getting Damp Walls?
You can avoid getting damp walls by taking preventive measures to stop damp walls. To avoid getting damp walls, here are some excellent ways:
Inspect your walls for cracks
With time, your walls will show signs of crack, especially near doors and windows. This is where 90% of cracks gain access into your homes. You will need to check for these cracks regularly and seal them immediately. It is better to do so before the monsoon starts.
External walls and roof must be waterproof
To prevent damp walls must be taken care of. Since many exterior paints on houses are permeable, this creates a gap for water to sip into the house. This waterproof barrier will block water from entering the walls. Moreover, roofs should also be waterproofed due to bad weather, especially during winter.
Get a damp proof course
A damp proof course is a nice measure to prevent water from getting into your house. It is made from impervious materials which stop all dampness from your building. This is a strong barrier which is integrated into your wall to prevent water from passing through.
Gunting
This is a splendid procedure where you spray layers of concrete mixtures to walls and pipes to make it waterproof. Also, you can try pressure Gunting which means mixing cement, stones and sand to fill cracks in a building.
Frequently Asked Questions
When considering if dehumidifiers will dry out your damp walls, here are some pertinent questions to ask.
Do Dehumidifiers Work In Damp Rooms?
No, a dehumidifier doesn’t work in damp rooms. However, it can help in keeping your room as dry as possible. Also, using preventative measures is essential for better results.
Dehumidifiers are not a “quick fix” or solution to treat damp walls. Instead, they work as one somewhat effective way to treat the symptoms. These devices play the part of the tissue to blow your nose, but not the paracetamol to fight off the cold.
If the dampness and mold result from damaged rainwater goods and drainage, then a dehumidifier won’t work to rectify the problem.
However, using a dehumidifier is one of the suitable options in the short term. It reduces high humidity and condensation and regulates the surrounding air for better overall quality.
How Can You Dry Out A Damp Wall?
You can dry out a damp wall by insulating timbers and decorating plasterboard. You can also use dehumidifiers and fans to dry out a wet wall immediately. Other ways include-
- Drilling a few holes to drain out the standing water.
- Removing the dampen area thoroughly to avoid further consequences.
- Using desiccants that absorb moisture from thin air and reduce humidity levels.
- Accelerating and assisting the process using an air conditioner or room heater.
- Improving the air circulation rate by opening doors and windows.
- Removing wall coverings and keeping the cabinets open to fasten the process.
But for a long-lasting effect, get professional help for a quick fix. Professional help might be a bit expensive, but your walls will cure easily and more effectively.
What Are The Demerits Of A Dehumidifier?
The importance of a dehumidifier cannot be over-emphasized. However, it does come with some disadvantages. Let’s take a look at a few.
Dehumidifiers make a lot of noise which can affect concentration and also generate heat. In portable dehumidifiers, the heat generally gets released in the room interior and slightly increases the warmth. This is good in winter but not ideal for hot summer days.
Using dehumidifiers means an increase in energy consumption. Indeed, there are energy-efficient models available, but keeping an electronic device running for long hours will surely take its toll.
Dehumidifiers are not a solution to the root problem, rather a short-term way of treating the symptoms. So, if you have a damp wall, these devices won’t address the issue.
Can dampness be removed permanently?
No, dampness cannot be removed permanently. All you can do is take care of your building and prevent moisture from expanding. There are multiple ways you can do that, for instance-
- You should keep the temperature constant and improve overall airflow inside a room.
- Wipe clean windows, sills, and other surfaces regularly that trap moisture.
- Get rid of the cooking steam through ducts or range hoods before vapor forms inside the room.
- Get rid of bathroom moisture through proper ventilation.
- Try to use proper insulation inside the walls to prevent cold spots and condensation.
- Keep the windows open for at least 15 minutes a day, and
- Avoid hanging wet clothes inside the house.
While quickly removing moisture from your building is essential, this has to be done neatly and regularly to obliterate mold spores.
Should I keep my dehumidifier on always?
No! You should not keep your dehumidifier on always because it reduces the lifespan. You should only use a dehumidifier when your building humidity level is above 50% or 60%.
The goal is to reduce humidity to a modest and comfortable rate, about 30-50%. Every dehumidifier comes with an RH rating that tells whether the surrounding air is well adjusted or not.
So, if you’re keeping the unit ON after reaching the goal, you’ll only be wasting energy and piling up the electricity bills.
However, even if you keep the dehumidifier running constantly, a unit that comes with an auto draining tube is your best bet.
Where should I keep my dehumidifier?
Keep your humidifier in basements, garages, bedrooms, and kitchens because they are the rooms that have dampness issues. The appropriate place to place your dehumidifier is where you want to use it.
Again, some dehumidifiers work throughout the whole house. You can use these central systems or choose a portable unit to control humidity in a contained area.
In severe cases, such as rooms with black mold spots, water drops and vapor on the windows and other surfaces, and wall inflation in particular areas, etc., is where you need to keep the dehumidifier.
What Is The Duration A Damp Wall Will Take To Dry Out?
When you wish to remove moisture from your wall, the duration differs according to the thickness of the wall. For a wall that has a thickness of about 30mm, it could take about four weeks. But the actual scenario is more complex than that.
The answer depends on how long the wall has been exposed to a damaging source, how well the source is eliminated, and what method is in use to treat the dampness. If the wall remains untreated for years, it may take more than a month to dry out completely. Likewise, if it’s an issue with the gutter, then you’ll also need to repair or replace the mechanism as well to prevent further inconveniences.
Wall dampness doesn’t vanish overnight, and in some cases, does not go away at all! But if you seek professional help, the procedure will bear more fruit.
Why are my walls damp?
Your walls are damp due to rising waters and penetrating dampness. Excess water from saturated ground and downspouts can enter even the most minor cracks.
Here are some other significant causes of wall dampening:
- Dampproof course not working – DPC refers to a waterproof layer within the walls that prevents moisture from traveling up from the inside. DPC stays vertical to the walls and works from the external wall to the internal. If DPC is not working correctly or isn’t present, you may face damp issues.
- Plumbing- If there’s an issue with the plumbing, such as drips along with the framework, you will likely face wall dampening issues.
- Leaking or undersized gutters – Rainwater runs through the gutters, and any incompetence will highly affect the overall drainage of your house.
- Cement rendering – over time, cement coating starts to crack, and water starts leaking from outside to the inside causing dampness.
Conclusion
When considering dampness in wet walls, using a dehumidifier is useful. However, it doesn’t solve all issues with damp walls. Preventing your walls from getting moist is a good suggestion and it reduces congestion and helps with the airflow.
Also, some important questions have been answered concerning dehumidifiers and damp walls.
