Has anyone had a conversation with their local conservation officer about excessive moisture from their kitchen and ground floor bathroom? We worry that the condensation on the windows, particularly bad during winter, is causing the window frames to rot prematurely, never mind what it's doing to the timbers in the low ceiling. Water also runs off the walls into the exposed timber frame. We feel we must move the kitchen and bathroom out into a new extension, but there is heavy resistance. :?
- Thread starter Poot
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Schoolmarm
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Extractor fans on a humidistat? As soon as it gets enough humidity the fans kick in.
Thanks for the suggestions so far - CO not amenable to that either. Health is an issue, but since they've also said leave a window open in winter, I'm presuming an owner's health is not their priority; it's not mentioned in PPG 15 after all.
(PS sorry to mis-spell excessive).
(PS sorry to mis-spell excessive).
Flyfisher
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Hmm. Your CO seems to be being rather unhelpful, which is not my (admittedly limited) experience. Has s/he offered any other advice other than leaving windows open or moving into the extension where, presumably, they will allow an extractor fan?
Would a dehumidifier unit help? I've never used one but I understand they can be set to maintain a given humidity level and will extract excess humidity into a storage container for daily emptying (or perhaps there are models that can be plumbed into the sink?).
Is the house of special historical significance that would preclude even an extractor fan?
Would a dehumidifier unit help? I've never used one but I understand they can be set to maintain a given humidity level and will extract excess humidity into a storage container for daily emptying (or perhaps there are models that can be plumbed into the sink?).
Is the house of special historical significance that would preclude even an extractor fan?
Feltwell
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Flyfisher said:
Yes - most portable units have an option to either fill an internal tank or drain via a pipe to wherever.
Is there no way of ducting an extractor fan output to elsewhere? Through the eaves of your roof, or to a Lapvent if you have the right type of roofing? Nothing is visible externally with these.
http://www.lapvent.co.uk/mechanical_extraction.html
stuart45
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There is also the 'Lofty whole house ventilation system'.
Penners
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That's the solution that I would be trying to pursue. Out through the roof, ducted under a suspended floor...?Feltwell said:
But if an extractor is absolutely impossible, then the dehumidifier seems like the best (albeit more expensive) solution.
I have to say that I'm astonished at your CO's intransigence. While it's just about understandable that, under the terms of reference of the job, your health cannot be an issue, does he/she not consider that continued excessive condensation could affect the health of the building?
Feltwell
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Plastic extractor fan vents are quite nasty looking things on the outside of any old building, but it wouldn't take much to duct a fan outlet to behind an airbrick. Most reclamation yards will carry Victorian terracota airbricks, or you can buy a good variety of cast iron ones online (but they're expensive - and you'd need to make sure it was well protected against corrosion if you're intending to pump very damp air through it).
You don't mention the construction of your house, but that may make it visually more acceptable.
You don't mention the construction of your house, but that may make it visually more acceptable.
Flyfisher
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Hmm. I've no experience of thatched properties but I presume thatch makes ventilation through the roof almost impossible.
Referring back to an earlier suggestion, would anyone actually notice an extractor fan fitted into a small glass pane? Perhaps you could persuade some local chaps to play cricket near your cottage this summer? It would be unfortunate if a soaring 'six' should break one of your window panes, but accidents can happen. Or perhaps the extractor fan was fitted before the property was listed?
May we ask what area of the country you're in?
Referring back to an earlier suggestion, would anyone actually notice an extractor fan fitted into a small glass pane? Perhaps you could persuade some local chaps to play cricket near your cottage this summer? It would be unfortunate if a soaring 'six' should break one of your window panes, but accidents can happen. Or perhaps the extractor fan was fitted before the property was listed?
May we ask what area of the country you're in?
JohnB
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Open it by unscrewing the hinges, put the window away safely, and fit a removable panel containing an extractor fan. When the CO threatens to visit, swap them around until he's gonerobgil said:if your c.o. told you to simply open a window , why not open said window then fit an extractor fan in the opening?what kind of windows do you have?
.Penners
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I can't disagree with that, Feltwell, but I think we're into "invisibility" territory, here. There are some things that are so mundane and ubiquitous that we simply don't see them any more. To me, a little grille on the wall of a house is one of those things - specially if (if necessary) it's painted to match the wall.Feltwell said:
Schoolmarm
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And if you were really creative, a wooden bird box with the access hole blocked with chicken wire.
Feltwell
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Penners said:
Schoolmarm said:
True - but whilst you're bashing a hole through for the duct anyway, you can remove a brick and replace it with an air-brick and duct to the back of that. The round-to-square ducting adaptors you can buy are perfect for putting into the back of a 9" x 3" air brick, I did it for a new fan at my previous house.
Only of use for brick buildings of course!
Job number 300006 for me, replace existing plastic vents with air bricks - and replace existing horrible plastic soil pipe running down the side of the house - which means that I'll almost certainly never get around to it! :wink:
None of which helps poor Poot with his/her problem. If the glass is modern I'd just fit a fan and see if you get in trouble! Cue wrath-of-Gareth.....!
Gareth Hughes
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You can get buff airbricks rather than red ones, which might be less intrusive.
Even I can't really believe the CO is being like this, but then every listed building is different and there may be one where any sort of extract fan is going to be a disaster.
Even I can't really believe the CO is being like this, but then every listed building is different and there may be one where any sort of extract fan is going to be a disaster.
Feltwell
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Gareth, if this is not too much like asking the gamekeeper for advice on poaching......
If an LBC application is turned down, what method is there to appeal the decision?
If an LBC application is turned down, what method is there to appeal the decision?