Yes, a dehumidifier can help with damp. It's worth saying though that a dehumidifier isn't going to be a total fix for your damp problem. And it won't stop it entirely. It'll only be a temporary solution if you don't get to the root of the issue.
'In general, this can be several days to a few weeks to achieve significant results and regular monitoring of the indoor humidity levels and adjusting the dehumidifier settings will be necessary to help optimise the drying process. '
Dehumidifiers seem to be the obvious way of reducing humidity, removing condensation, stopping walls becoming damp and preventing mould. But a more effective solution is to give your home a small but consistent background movement of fresh air. This will help keep your home feeling fresher, healthier and mould free.
Yes – dehumidifiers do work for water leaks by removing excess moisture from the air, but they have limits. They are extremely helpful when you need to dry an area with minor damage. However, it will not help with severe water damage or if you have mold growing.
A dehumidifier draws moisture out of the air, dries it out, and then blows dry air back into space. This can swiftly dry out the drywall when utilized with a fan.
How Long Does It Take for a Dehumidifier to Dry Out a Room? The size of the room, the humidity level, and the extent of the water damage are some of the variables that affect how long a dehumidifier takes to dry out a room. A dehumidifier typically needs between 24 and 72 hours to completely dry out a room.
Open windows and doors to help speed up the drying process. Use fans to move air around the damp walls. Also use dehumidifiers, which can help remove moisture from the air and walls. Professionals use tools like moisture meters, infrared imaging devices, dehumidifiers and heavy-duty fans.
Overusing Your Dehumidifier
It may inadvertently lower the humidity to uncomfortably lower levels.
Should a Dehumidifier Run Constantly? No, your dehumidifier should not have to run constantly to regulate the air humidity. An optimal humidity level to shoot for is between 30 and 50 percent. Your dehumidifier should reach this in 8 to 12 hours.
The bigger the dehumidifier (and the higher the wattage), the more watts it'll generally use. Large ones can use up to 500 watts, while the smaller models usually only use about 22 watts. All of these factors can also impact your dehumidifier's energy use.
Once temperatures drop to around 65 degrees, it's best to turn the dehumidifier off. Doing so will help prevent moisture from freezing on the dehumidifier's coils, which could damage your unit.
But is DampRid as good as a dehumidifier? "While DampRid is nowhere near as rapid or effective as a good dehumidifier, it almost works the same as a poor-performing dehumidifier," says Chris.
Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours. Next, place fans around the room so the entire surface receives the blowing air. Place the fans at the highest settings possible.
How does a dehumidifier work for damp? Dehumidifiers work by getting rid of excess moisture that's in the air. And that can help to stop mildew and mould from growing, as well as reducing any musty smells. It does this by drawing in air from the room it's in, which is then passed over a cooled coil.
Regularly check the dehumidifier's collection well, and reposition the air movers as necessary throughout the process to be sure to get everything. Use your moisture meter to track your progress. It takes around 3-5 days to completely dry wet drywall, so patience is key, but you should be seeing consistent progress.
If you need to lower humidity throughout your house a whole-house dehumidifier is the best option. It is easy to fit, virtually silent and is the cheapest solution for whole house control.
It's worth noting daytime or round-the-clock dehumidifier use is best for humid climate situations where there is a risk of mold growth inside the home. Nighttime-only use is more suitable for bedrooms, especially during the summer in places that experience occasional or seasonal-only humidity.
Leaving your dehumidifier on all the time can result in dehumidifying too much, leading to a dry indoor environment.
Keep Your Dehumidifier Away from the Walls
It's easy to assume the best place to put your dehumidifier is against the wall. But it's not! Dehumidifiers suck in and expel air using vents. Blocking any of these vents can reduce your dehumidifier's effectiveness.
The biggest reason for high humidity in your home is moisture intrusion from outside. This could be through leaky windows, leaky floors, wet crawlspaces, leaky HVAC ductwork, or very small leaks in all of these areas that form a large amount of leakage when combined.
Cons of Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers collect water meaning they need to be regularly emptied. They also need to be regularly cleaned otherwise black mould can start to grow on the machine , which can induce a wide range of health problems including allergic reactions, lung problems and irritation.
It could take a few days, or it could take a few weeks. The most important thing is to check damp walls early on and begin the drying process as soon as possible. If you don't, you risk the growth of mould which can be detrimental to your health and cause skin/respiratory problems.
In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for a ceiling to dry out completely. To speed up the drying process, use dehumidifiers, fans, and open windows to improve ventilation.
The best way to get rid of damp is to prevent it starting in the first place and the best way to prevent it is to ensure your home is consistently well ventilated. A good habbit to get into is to open the windows but keep doors closed to prevent spores spreading to other areas of the house.