Dehumidifiers can help remove moisture from the air, which indirectly removes it from the walls, too. To speed up evaporation, remove molding and baseboards to prevent moisture from entering behind them.
Dehumidifiers can indeed aid in drying wet walls. After a flood, leak, or a spell of extreme humidity, damp walls can develop. A dehumidifier removes extra moisture from the air, lowers the humidity, and stimulates evaporation.
A typical dehumidifier won't affect your whole house. They work by drawing in air, sucking the moisture out of it, then blowing out the dry air. But the circulating fan in it is nowhere near powerful enough to be drawing the moist air from the other end of your home.
Once you've addressed the cause of the problem, you can start to dry out the wall. This can be achieved through the use of fans, dehumidifiers and even just sunlight. You can accelerate this process by ensuring that you remove all wall coverings and increase ventilation to the space.
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.
Overusing Your Dehumidifier
It may inadvertently lower the humidity to uncomfortably lower levels.
Moisture within the walls can be removed with a dehumidifier, and with ventilation. Hopefully you can dry out the wall before you get water damage.
Use fans to move air around the damp walls. Dehumidifiers can help remove moisture from the air, which indirectly removes it from the walls, too. To speed up evaporation, remove molding and baseboards to prevent moisture from entering behind them. Store the molding in a dry, safe place to avoid damaging it.
To dry out small spots, place a fan in front of the damp area and turn it on high. For larger spots, install a heavy-duty dehumidifier in the room to suck the water vapor out. If you need to dry out a wall in an enclosed area, place moisture absorbent materials like dehumidifier packs near the damp spots.
Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners, especially in hot, humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air, but be sure that the appliances themselves don't become sources of biological pollutants. Raise the temperature of cold surfaces where moisture condenses. Use insulation or storm windows.
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.
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.
As long as you leave all of the internal doors open a correctly sized dehumidifier will prevent condensation and mould from appearing around the whole house.
So, how long does it really take for a dehumidifier to dry out a room? On average, a dehumidifier takes between 24 to 72 hours. Glenn says this also depends on the room size and the level of moisture within the room.
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.
The best way to dry wet drywall is to dry it from the inside out. This can be done by using a fan or a dehumidifier. Use a moisture meter to check the moisture levels. Once you have started drying the drywall, checking the moisture levels with a moisture meter is important.
Use fans and a dehumidifier (if you have one). Fans will move the air around the damp area to help dry it. A dehumidifier will help remove moisture from the air and walls.
'A dehumidifier can effectively dry out damp walls,' says David Miloshev, Fantastic Services' HVAC expert and appliance technician. 'Experts often recommend using this appliance in cases of dampness to prevent mould growth and structural damage and maintain a healthy indoor environment. '
Extent of Water Exposure
Minor exposure can be remedied through proper drying techniques. However, if the drywall has been soaked or submerged, especially for a prolonged period, replacement is often the best option. Prolonged water exposure can weaken the structural integrity of the drywall.
Moisture and water that get behind the wall cause the backside of the drywall to soften and even become mushy. Look for soft spots or wet spots in the drywall and gently press into them. If the drywall depresses, there is most likely water damage. Mold on your walls' surfaces.
Water seepage typically occurs due to various factors: Porous Nature of Bricks: Bricks are naturally porous, which means they absorb moisture. Over time, this can lead to water permeating the wall, especially during heavy or persistent rain.
Apply a Damp-proofing Treatment
Apply a water-proof coating to your external walls and internal walls. After taking care of cracks and seepages, apply waterproof tiles to avoid moisture rising from the ground. Another way to stop water from entering your floors from the soil is to install a damp-proof course.
If solving your moisture problem is something you'd like to do inexpensively, rock salt may be your answer. Because rock salt is hygroscopic it absorbs moisture from the air. If your plan is to get rid of the humidity in a damp basement, start with a 50-pound bag of sodium chloride to make your rock salt dehumidifier.
When using a dehumidifier to dry out damp walls, keeping the room as closed off as possible is important. This means closing windows and doors and avoiding opening them for long periods. This will help to prevent moisture from entering the room and undermine the effectiveness of the dehumidifier.