Condensation On Walls

Staff Infection

Okey doke,

Hope this is in the right section. Basically I moved into a new gaff a few months ago and I am having a recurring issue of condensation forming on two of the walls in my bedroom.

When I moved in my landlord mentioned they had a problem with condensation in that room previously but attributed it to the last tenant smoking in that room, never opening the window and not having double glazed windows which were just installed prior to me moving in.

Now I've tried leaving my window open all day on the advice of my landlord but the problem persists.

I think from reading around online that my walls are poorly insulated and this is causing all the warm air to cool and form as condensation on these walls as they are the ones the wind hits (other two walls face back to the house).

So I'm looking at possible fixes. I'm only renting here for another 6 months so don't need a permanent fix, just something to do the job so I don't need to wipe my walls everyday.

I tried an industrial de-humidifier my friend had for a week but it made no odds and I still had to wipe the walls. I was thinking of duct taping carpets to my walls, would this work?


In short: my walls are poorly insulated and are covered in condensation, tried a de-humidifier it didn't work, should I tape carpet to my walls? Any other suggestions?

shamanpriest

There is no easy fix for condensation so all I can do is give you a check list

(1). Completely dry off offending damp patch/es.

(2). Make sure that at the very least all window vents are fully open at night and window/s are a jar during the day.

(3). Make sure that the ROOM vent is open / unblocked. Sliding plastic vent in modern homes or metal letterbox type vent in older homes. Often blocked with old socks to stop cold breeze entering.

That is about it I am afraid. It's hard to give a solution without actually seeing the offending wall/s. Condensation is caused when heat meets cold and can result from porous exterior walls (e.g.) Old Red brick walls or poorly maintained pebble dash walls. In that case the exterior red brick wall should be sealed with a clear solution. For Pebble Dash exterior sealer and repaint often takes care of the problem.

Could you tell me the following:

(1). Is the offending wall connected to the window wall? to the left or right of the window wall.

(2). Is the central heating in your room or in the room/s below constantly on ?

(3). What age is the property (just estimate) Is it red brick, compo, or pebble dash exterior ?


Finally DO NOT put carpet tiles on the wall/s as this will only cause further issues, as the tiles will in effect become sponges over time.


Get back to me if I can help further

Staff Infection

Cheers Shamanpriest for the detailed reply.

To answer your questions the house quite old, red brick and the condensation is on both the wall to the left of the window and the wall with the window itself. Both walls are exterior walls and this is why I think they are so cold, which is leading to warm air condensing on them.

The vent is constantly open as is the window, the room is so cold I can see my breath yet I still get condensation on the walls. It is quite annoying.
As regards the central heating it is on twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening.

I researched it a bit more and I am now thinking of drying the walls completely before sticking bubble wrap to them as a way of insulating the wall and creating a gap between the cold wall and warm air in the room. Do you think this would work? I understand spraying the exterior brick is the best long term solution but seeing as I'm only renting for another 6 months I'd settle for a temporary solution.

Thank you for your advice.