black gunge

[babs]

Ive just realised! The problem solver is already installed in my house!

We have a drimaster air control system installled with one air vent in the central hall. I can upgrade it to put vents in all of the rooms! This will circulate the air in all of the rooms. Hopefully this will solve the damp in this bedroom.

 

[NT]

It will cost less money and use less energy to buy a dehumidifier.


NT

 

[babs]

Will the dehumidifier work in all rooms thou? The bedroom at the very end of the house has mildew (very small amounts) in the top corners of the room.

 

[alice]

From what I've seen, household dehumidifiers need to be hooked into a forced air system to be effective over the entire house. They have to get their air from somewhere in order to pull the water out, so it depends on the circulation of the area you want to dehumidify. If you don't have a forced air system and you put the dehumidifier in the basement or in some corner of the house, how is the air supposed to circulate by it so it can work?

House dehumidifiers also have fixed plumbing to dispose of the condensed water (at least they do here in TX). Room dehumidifiers have a container that will need to be emptied about once a day or so, depending on usage and humidity.

Room dehumidifiers are meant to be portable and can be moved to where they're needed. Is this what you're thinking of?

alice

 

[Lime]

A solution of copper sulphate brushed over the mould should stop it.
(It is poisonous, so be careful, and very toxic in ponds etc)
However the condensation will continue.
What about opening the window?

 

[NT]

I presume ongoing condensation would wash away the copper. How long does it last?


Re dehumidifiers and air movement:
1. Air movement occurs in houses, albeit slow often
2. Water vapour diffuses across the concentration gradient, thus moves quicker than the air itself does
3. Putting the dh where the problem is or in the middle of the building helps coverage
4. Yes, effect is less at the furthest opints, but it still has some effect out there.

Re drainage, most homes models have a continuous drain option now.


NT

 

[babs]

NT
I think you just answered my qu. The dh would be in the central hall area. The furtherest distance to any of the rooms would only be approx 20 foot so there should be no problem with air circulation, therefore the dh should help with the condensation.

In answer to Lime, we do open the window but this does not solve the mildew.

Thanks guys

Babs

 

[Lime]

I presume ongoing condensation would wash away the copper. How long does it last?
NT

That depends on how much CuSO4 soaks into the wall and how much condensation occurs, whether it is continuous and runs off or if it regularly dries up.
Copper sulphate is a relatively stable chemical but very soluble.

I have used it in the past for large fungus growth and it has lasted for many years but would not use it where animals or humans have any contact because it is toxic.

 

[Gervase]

A convenient source is your local garden centre, where it's sold as 'Bordeaux Mix' for the control of potato blight.