Condensation in conservatory

[mgba_78]

Just had dwarf wall conservatory built and the windows, doors, sills and roof is absolutely soaked with condensation..so much so that it drips on our head when we go in.

The plaster on the walls inside isn't quite dry yet and neither in the concrete floor, i have tried to leave the doors and all the windows open as much as possible in this snowy weather to try and dry it out but does't seem to be working.

Is there just condensation at the moment because it's not dry yet or does everyone have this problem?

If it's always going to be like this, i can't see us being able to have furniture in it as it will be all soaked.

We haven't any heating in it at the moment either, would it be worthwhile getting some heating in there to dry out the conservatory. What do people recommend for heating wise?

Sorry for the long story, just feel quite disappointed at the min as the conservatory cost a lot and it can't be used yet :o(

Thanks for all your help

[andyjevs]

Try to get some heating and air circulation in there....i have a 3kw oil filled radiator as the main heating in my conservatory and i also use a small 6" desk fan to circulate the heat. Not too warm though....aim for around 15c otherwise you might blow the plaster if too hot.

Keeping some windows ajar will help the moisture in the air to go too.

[ruthann58]

have you thought of trying a dehumidifer to pull the moisture out of the air could you hire one for a few weeks if you dont own one till your plaster and floors dry out we had to do this when we had a leak and the floor and plaster in our lounge got soaked dont have it on to high as it will dry it out to quick and plaster might crack this weather certainly wont help, a builder told me new walls try out at roughly 1" a month in good weather so roll on the summer when you will be able to sit in it and enjoy it ,good luck.

[stanleyman]

Concrete, brickwork and plaster can take several months to dry out. Cold weather, especially freezing will cause condensation to form even in normal circumstances without heating, so you have the very worst situation. You will have to give it time, try some heating combined with very good ventilation to speed things up. I don't think a dehumidifier will be much help. A fan will help shift the air. The heat needs to be dry like electric heaters.

[buildersmate]

This is normal - just built the same sort of conservatory. Plasterer came and skimmed the walls 5 weeks ago, returned 4 weeks ago and put down 60mm of screed over the Kingspan insulation. Condensation continued in the room for the last 5 weeks including dripping off the roof - unheated other than through the heat from the double doors from the existing house. Afraid you'll just to have to be patient but its worth it to dry it out gradually. Moisture just about disappeared a couple of days ago. Its not helped by the very low outside temperatures recently.

[Toureman]

Hi,

My Sister In Law has to run a Dehumidifier constantly in her Conservatory even though it was built a number of years ago.