Fitted Wardrobe Damp

[Radam87]

We had a wardrobe fitted in our bedroom two years ago (around £2,000).

We've noticed that the wall behind the wardrobe is wet and a small amount of discolouration has occurred.

We have been heating the house much more over the last couple of months and drying clothes inside which I imagine has contributed.

We do get an inch or two of morning condensation at the bottom of the windows upstairs, I cannot find any other evidence of damp in the house.

The wardrobe is built against an external facing (cold) wall and doesn't have great ventilation.

We are in the process of drying and cleaning. My question is - do we consider ridding it (for fear of it coming back)? Or should we consider ways to salvage it? I realise this is probably not an easy question to answer without being present and seeing it all in context.

The initial plan was to add ventilation but I realise this may not be enough. Moving it forward and insulating the wall internal/externally, installing heaters and silent fans, taking the doors off permanently are other suggestions we've read elsewhere.

Also, the base obscures the area of wall and carpet below it so I fear we may not be seeing the full extent of the moisture.

Tried to ask advice from the chap that fitted it but he's not answered us.

Any suggestions very much appreciated.

 

[foxhole]

Ventilation and stop adding to the moisture content of you home by drying washing indoors ( might as well throw a bucket of water up your walls).You could also add an external vent in the cupboard.

 

[sxturbo]

If you need to dry washing indoors, use only 1 room with the door closed and get a dehumidifier.

Also crack a window open and put it on the vent latch (assuming windows are uPVC double glazed with 2 position locks)

Do you have a fan in the bathroom?

Are your walls single skin or cavity wall construction?

 

[Radam87]

If you need to dry washing indoors, use only 1 room with the door closed and get a dehumidifier.

Also crack a window open and put it on the vent latch (assuming windows are uPVC double glazed with 2 position locks)

Do you have a fan in the bathroom?

Are your walls single skin or cavity wall construction?

No fan in bathroom.
Cavity walls.
Tend to leave windows open when in the bath with heating on (which probably encourages moisture to this cold spot). Doors shut though.
I tend to leave all windows on vent except when it's very cold however my partner can't tolerate this.
Would a small portable dehumidifier do the job?

 

[Radam87]

Ventilation and stop adding to the moisture content of you home by drying washing indoors ( might as well throw a bucket of water up your walls).You could also add an external vent in the cupboard.

I agree with what your saying but it's not possible to dry effectively outside at the moment ... may get a vented drier for the garage though (too cold in there for any other type).

Will consider the external vent but need to think about how this might impact room temperatures and making the cold wall colder?

 

[JohnD]

Start by fitting a bathroom extractor that works.

You can then hang wet washing in the bathroom if necessary and the extractor will remove the water vapour from your home.

You can fit a tubular heater in the wardrobe.

 

[sxturbo]

No fan in bathroom.
Cavity walls.
Tend to leave windows open when in the bath with heating on (which probably encourages moisture to this cold spot). Doors shut though.
I tend to leave all windows on vent except when it's very cold however my partner can't tolerate this.
Would a small portable dehumidifier do the job?

a small portable dehumidifier will be fine.

i would also advise you get a bathroom extractor fan installed as soon as you can, this will make a big difference.

in theory you shouldn't need a vent in the wardrobe (unless all the gaps around the doors and drawers are sealed tight)

 

[foxhole]

I agree with what your saying but it's not possible to dry effectively outside at the moment ... may get a vented drier for the garage though (too cold in there for any other type).

Will consider the external vent but need to think about how this might impact room temperatures and making the cold wall colder?

Tumble dryer is a must in this weather. Drying indoors will always cause problems.

 

[JohnD]

fairly expensive on electricity, though

for people who feel compelled to dry indoors, an extractor fan will at least suck the water vapour out, and prevent it diffusing round the house. A modern fan will run for about 100 hours on 15pence of electricity.

 

[foxhole]

fairly expensive on electricity, though

for people who feel compelled to dry indoors, an extractor fan will at least suck the water vapour out, and prevent it diffusing round the house. A modern fan will run for about 100 hours on 15pence of electricity.

But water vapour from a lot of washing will be more than a simple fan will cope with and still draw it across internal walls resulting in condensation.