Condensation in the home

[stornoway]

As a care worker, I work in 1 home where there is excessive condensation resulting in damp walls in certain areas. A dehumidifier was put in house but due to someone reading that this could cause Legionnaires disease, this was removed! (pc madness iis my personal opinion). All information gleaned via web indicates that dehumidifier is best option and I fully understand the need to maintain the same. All replied welcomed and thanks in advance for all help.

[bednobs]

what is causing the condensation? It's best to eliminate the cause rather than treat the symptoms

[askyourgran]

The dehumidifier seems to have been the best option, but as bednobs says its best to tackle the problem to eliminate it at source.

[stornoway]

Bedknobs. Building is old. Vents now been put on windows. Lady does not wish to have radiator on in bedroom which is large with 2 double windows. Cracks in outside walls been fixed. Condensation as bad as ever. Just trying to resent a full case to my employers which will not jeapordise the care of the client.

Thanks for replies received.

[ann_h]

So presumably the main part of the home is being heated, and the condensation is occurring in the bedroom when the warm air hits the unheated walls? And/or in corners?
The second can be solved by allowing air to circulate better behind furniture. As a house with radiators as opposed to gas heaters I am surprised there would be a lot of moisture in the air, unless she tends to hang very wet washing up all over the place (like a lady I knew).
She could have the bedroom walls overboarded to keep them from getting so cold, that would reduce the tendency for moisture to collect on them. It wouldn't be very expensive even if the insulating boards were used, and she might qualify for a grant?

As for the Legionnaire's - venting systems can nurture and spread this in a care home/hospital etc, but can't "cause" it in a one-person domestic setting!

[coccinelle]

I agree with ann; the fact the bedroom is colder than the rest of the house is causing condensation. My mother dealt with this problem as she didn't want heating on in her room either. She had a kind of skirting board heater underneath the window which was on low so you couldn't feel heat but it was enough to stop the condensation. HTH

[stornoway]

Ann/Cocinelle put heater on in bedroom under window last night and marked difference.

Thanks for all replies

[jomifl]

bBaring in mind that the moisture condensing part of a dehumidifier is very cold ( which is why moisture condenses on it) and is continually washed by condensed moisture and that legionella bacterium is only a problem in warm water, it is not very likely that there is any risk at all. The water that collects in the condensate reservoir is almost free of minerals and nutrients and is less likely to grow bacteria than a vase of flowers. I think there has been a bit of confusion between dehumidifiers and air conditioners of the type that use evaporation of water to cool large buildings.