I have a problem in a mate’s house. It is in what I believe is an ex-council house (?) - a “Leca Plan” mid-terrace house that seems to be built of concrete panels. The problem is one of condensation during the most recent winter months occurring at the extreme corners of property, mainly but not exclusively the upstairs corners of the bedrooms. The external walls all seem to be artexed finished directly onto the concrete, not that I’ve stripped the artex to check.
The occupiers have two very young children so the house is pretty well heated constantly throughout the winter, but having two small children inevitably means lots of washing both of them and their clothes, with some drying-of-clothes on radiators. Although I have advised them re minimizing this and opening windows clearly there are energy cost limits as to how much can be done in a cold winter. There is a good bathroom extractor fan and vents in the kitchen and hall (the CH boiler is in a cupboard off the hall in the centre of the ground floor)
I have cleaned and repainted these extreme corner areas with anti-damp, and anti-condensation paint, and re-wallpapered these peeling mouldy areas. The householders have also purchased a dehumidifier, the readouts of which on occasions started at 70% humidity before the machine had been operating for an hour or two. These measures appeared to have controlled the problem, although I would like to see what happens next winter before thinking the problem is completely solved.
It is relevant that new double glazed windows have been installed nine months ago. (A classic condensation issue?)
The house has an original extended front porch again in concrete and covered by a flat concrete slab roof extending from the first floor level. I have recently re-waterproofed it so I am sure now that no water can penetrate this flat roof. In this porch area there is cupboard without a vent wherein the occupiers have sited a washing machine. This is where the worst condensation occurs, such that actual water can drip from the walls and roof on to the back of your neck! The wallpaper here has long since peeled away: the walls are currently a mouldy black colour. There is no radiator in this part of the house (there is a second door near to the front porch door, between the hall radiator and the porch).
It has been suggested by a roofer that certainly downstairs in the porch area the otherwise bare concrete walls should be insulated with plasterboard fixed to the wall. I gather this known as dry-lining. Should that be thermal board? With or without foil/vapour control layer? I have been looking at the Gyproc Thermaline range, anyone have a suggestion as to best stockist of this type of board ?
Whilst agreeing with this suggestion I am unsure how to fix the boards. Some books and manufacturer websites seem to suggest leaving a gap behind the insulation board to enable air to get to the wall i.e. fix on battens. But that would also enable warm damp air to get behind the insulation and thus maybe not solve any condensation problems? Or vent the gap behind the board to the outside (be hard to conveniently do that) ?
I am thinking of using an adhesive all round the thermal board to seal and bond it directly to the wall, but is that best? What sort of adhesive to use? Will it bond to both the concrete wall AND to the material (polystyrene, polyurethane?) of the rear face of the board?
Many thanks for any answers, thoughts and suggestions.
The occupiers have two very young children so the house is pretty well heated constantly throughout the winter, but having two small children inevitably means lots of washing both of them and their clothes, with some drying-of-clothes on radiators. Although I have advised them re minimizing this and opening windows clearly there are energy cost limits as to how much can be done in a cold winter. There is a good bathroom extractor fan and vents in the kitchen and hall (the CH boiler is in a cupboard off the hall in the centre of the ground floor)
I have cleaned and repainted these extreme corner areas with anti-damp, and anti-condensation paint, and re-wallpapered these peeling mouldy areas. The householders have also purchased a dehumidifier, the readouts of which on occasions started at 70% humidity before the machine had been operating for an hour or two. These measures appeared to have controlled the problem, although I would like to see what happens next winter before thinking the problem is completely solved.
It is relevant that new double glazed windows have been installed nine months ago. (A classic condensation issue?)
The house has an original extended front porch again in concrete and covered by a flat concrete slab roof extending from the first floor level. I have recently re-waterproofed it so I am sure now that no water can penetrate this flat roof. In this porch area there is cupboard without a vent wherein the occupiers have sited a washing machine. This is where the worst condensation occurs, such that actual water can drip from the walls and roof on to the back of your neck! The wallpaper here has long since peeled away: the walls are currently a mouldy black colour. There is no radiator in this part of the house (there is a second door near to the front porch door, between the hall radiator and the porch).
It has been suggested by a roofer that certainly downstairs in the porch area the otherwise bare concrete walls should be insulated with plasterboard fixed to the wall. I gather this known as dry-lining. Should that be thermal board? With or without foil/vapour control layer? I have been looking at the Gyproc Thermaline range, anyone have a suggestion as to best stockist of this type of board ?
Whilst agreeing with this suggestion I am unsure how to fix the boards. Some books and manufacturer websites seem to suggest leaving a gap behind the insulation board to enable air to get to the wall i.e. fix on battens. But that would also enable warm damp air to get behind the insulation and thus maybe not solve any condensation problems? Or vent the gap behind the board to the outside (be hard to conveniently do that) ?
I am thinking of using an adhesive all round the thermal board to seal and bond it directly to the wall, but is that best? What sort of adhesive to use? Will it bond to both the concrete wall AND to the material (polystyrene, polyurethane?) of the rear face of the board?
Many thanks for any answers, thoughts and suggestions.
