Will winter damp dry out?

[yamin]

Thats my fault - I have been insistent in my need for reassurance about the house - we have an electric blanket and very nice it is too! Not needing advice about keeping warm, just about whether house will survive lack of heat, as we don't want to use heating! Us and the children can get into thermals (see above!!!!). Thanks though, as I agree on the leccy blankets1

 

[Flyfisher]

Sorry, but all the talk about long-johns led me to assume cold beds.

Back on topic, I'd be surprised if the house itself will come to much harm by being cold. In fact, in some respects it might be better for it to be in thermal equilibrium with the outside temperature, rather than being cold outside and warm inside. Cold can often feel damp, but isn't necessarily so (I remember being quite surprised about going inside a Swiss glacier many years ago and discovering that the ice was quite dry because it was so cold).

Others have mentioned the risk of condensation from the warmer parts of the house so keeping doors closed, rather than deliberately letting some heat pervade the property, might be a good idea.

Also, there must be countless houses across the country that have survived perfectly (well, reasonably) well for hundreds of years without any form of central heating and they must also have been freezing during the winter months while the occupants huddled around one fireplace - and with no electric blanket to look forward to at the end of the day (which reminds me I must switch ours on!). Also, providing the house is in good overall condition (no leaking roof etc), I would guess that any damp that does manage to pervade the house would be driven out during the warmer spring/summer months.

 

[Gervase]

N0 - PPUK posters would have these:

Well, I've got a couple of sets like those on the left, in merino wool, and at this time of year they're an absolute godsend for outdoor work. I was perched up on a north-facing gable today in a biting wind and didn't freeze (thanks to the said underpinnings, trousers, overalls, two shirts and a padded jacket).
There are days, though, when I envy those with nice jobs in offices!

 

[Nemesis]

Oh, be still my beating heart...

 

[yamin]

Here you are Nemesis, no need to trouble your sordid imagination - I was there


Sorry for spying Gervase....!

 

[Nemesis]

Nah - Gervase is bearded and hunky, even when plastering with cowsh*t ...


http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/ppuk_discovering_article_042.shtml


The thought of peeling off those layers down past the merino wool... I know I know, at my age I shouldn't. Bad for the blood pressure.

 

[yamin]

Also, there must be countless houses across the country that have survived perfectly (well, reasonably) well for hundreds of years without any form of central heating and they must also have been freezing during the winter months while the occupants huddled around one fireplace - and with no electric blanket to look forward to at the end of the day (which reminds me I must switch ours on!). Also, providing the house is in good overall condition (no leaking roof etc), I would guess that any damp that does manage to pervade the house would be driven out during the warmer spring/summer months.

This is just what I was hoping to hear - thanks - I think this makes sense too.......

 

[Nemesis]

Yes, our house was like that when we moved in - the heating had never been used.

Took months for the condensation to stop running down the windows once we began to heat it and it started to dry out!

So I'd monitor it carefully, and if in doubt, give it some heat.

 

[yamin]

Nah - Gervase is bearded and hunky, even when plastering with cowsh*t ...


http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/ppuk_discovering_article_042.shtml


The thought of peeling off those layers down past the merino wool... I know I know, at my age I shouldn't. Bad for the blood pressure.

See, I can't look at that link now, I feel like some kind of voyeur! Shame on you! I'm off to wriggle into some Damart and to climb into bed with a hot cup of cocoa and a nice Maeve Binchy for company!

 

[yamin]

No condensation yet, but I shall keep a careful eye - so long as no one makes me clean my windows!

 

[Penners]

Slightly concerned about the shading on the Borat-type suit in the middle

That's not shading, it's..... er, no, perhaps it's shading.

 

[Nemesis]

I suspect a section in ribbed work, for extra strength.

 

[yamin]

A reinforced gusset, like chainsaw trousers. Very important in ones thermal protection!

 

[Penners]

I suspect a section in ribbed work, for extra strength.

Absolutely. Many of us chaps need superstrength fabric in that area, to prevent rapid wear.

 

[Nemesis]

Indeed - and with historic precedent.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/romans/armour.html

Roman armour - the 'coins' were intended to catch a sword being thrust downwards to cut off one's manhood.

 

[Penners]

Hence (presumably): "keep your hand on your ha'penny"!

 

[Lime]

Hmmm. Going by the pictures "manhood" seems to vary a bit.

 

[Penners]

I'm living proof of that.

 

[Gervase]

I swear by the patent Viking Storm Gusset, with the added brass rivets. :wink:

 

[Nemesis]

Oh stop... that allied to the Marigolds... sigh.