Dehumidifier Or Heater To Dry A Damp Wall?

[RATTER15]

I have a very damp wall in a bedroom that became damp through a leaking roof.
The roof has now been repaired but the wall is wet right through. there were quite a few patches with hygroscopic salts coming through the paint.
The paint has peeled off very easily showing a very damp gypsum plaster finish, the plaster doesnt appear to be damaged.

I have an oil filled radiator I can leave on low in the room to dry it out slowly. I dont really have the time to dry it out naturally as I want to redecorate asap.

What is the advantage of a dehumidifier over a heater?

[RATTER15]

Once the wall is dry I will PVA the wall to keep the hygroscopic salts under control before painting or papering.

[ummmm]

Hire one.

When our tank burst the insurance company supplied us with an industrial one that we had to keep on 24/7 for a week. In that time we emptied the tank 3 or 4 times. They came back to test the walls and left it with us for another week.

The walls were perfectly dry after that and it only cost about £8 in electricity.

[RATTER15]

So why not a heater?

[ummmm]

I don't know. I suppose we had both with the central heater and the dehumidifier. It's what the insurance company supplied (and they paid the electric)

[ummmm]

The tank was massive so if you see how much water they extract would probably change your mind.

[tamborine]

Oil heaters cause condensation. Electric fan heater would be better.

[RATTER15]

I will look into hiring one tomorrow.

[ummmm]

How so, Tambo?

[gingejbee]

A heater will help to remove the moisture from the wall...but it will still hang around the room condensing on other cool surfaces. You'd need to open a window and perhaps have a fan on as well to help clear the moist air out of the room...that's why the dehumidifier is a much better option.

[ladybirder]

Dehumidifier RATTER without a doubt. If it's only one wall you will need the smaller size, don't get one for a 4-bed house. They are brilliant and will totally remove the moisture from your room. I bought a small one a few years ago for where I lived (rented) at the time from Homebase or B&Q. Cost about £30 and sold it again after it had done its job for £25. The first afternoon I emptied the 1L bowl 3 times. Amazing things.

[ladybirder]

This one isn't expensive and 2180 people have given it 5 stars so looks a good bet?
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[KARL]

Tamborine, where does the idea that oil filled heaters/radiators cause condensation come from, because it is of course untrue ? Heaters which involve combustion can under certain circumstances contribute to condensation but electrically powered ones (any type) and/or central heating radiators or underfloor heating cannot in themselves cause condensation. Condensation is primarily the result of low heating levels and secondly by too much compartmentalisation reducing circulation of air (closed rooms, curtains, large pieces of furniture against outer walls, etc.) together with inadequate ventilation (no need for high levels of ventilation though).

[EDDIE51]

A dehumidifier actually removes the water from the room, a heater just displaces it.

[naomi24]

200 year old house - damp problems now permanently fixed by fantastic builders - but old bricks retained moisture for a long time. A dehumidifier to the rescue!

[mazie]

Dehumidifier RATTER. We bought an old cottage last year...so many problems. We had to rip the bathroom out as the boxed in bath had been leaking for years. We got 2 dehumidifiers from Aldi (£99 each, 3 year warranty) They have done a brilliant job.

[mazie]

Plus, I don't need a tumble drier as these have a laundry setting which dries the clothes very quickly

[douglas9401]

You must have been using the Frugalmeister 2000, ummmm, we had a dehumidfier supplied by insurers after a water leak and were paid £75 for electricity over three weeks.
They are remarkable machines though, whatever the running costs.

[ladybirder]

Apparently you have to make sure you don't overdo it. I also had an industrial sized dehumidifier on loan to solve a damp problem some years ago. I was warned not to keep it going any longer than necessary as it would dry my wooden furniture out and damage it, especially a 220 years old grandfather clock I was very fond of.

[thevsand]

Did you ever solve your problem? There is loads of helpful advice here about how a dehumidifier can help and what sort to buy! https://www.ebac.com/dehumidifiers