Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JM on January 20, 2014 at 0:03

Hey Steve.  I bought some of that but can't get the flippin' nozzle to work!  This works though: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/23823/Blitz-That-Mould (it's probably the same stuff).

My polished concrete facia (as per your pic) isn't painted - although the contractors did a great job of damaging it when they 'restored' everyone's external planters some years ago with pneumatic drills and painted them battleship grey (vandals!) and I can see they damaged yours too by the bit that's been glued back on like mine -  and now and again I give it a good going over with some Jif, Domestos, Fairy and a pan scrubber.  Seems to do the trick. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on January 20, 2014 at 6:45

Hi Jean. 

Yep, it's one of those awkward childproof nozzles!  You have to press down on it and turn at the same time. The instructions could be clearer.

Awoke this morning with the windows covered in condensation!  Dehumidifier straight on and in just over an hour the windows were clear, so money well spent. 

Cheers. 
Jean Mc said:

Hey Steve.  I bought some of that but can't get the flippin' nozzle to work!  This works though: http://www.lakeland.co.uk/23823/Blitz-That-Mould (it's probably the same stuff).

My polished concrete facia (as per your pic) isn't painted - although the contractors did a great job of damaging it when they 'restored' everyone's external planters some years ago with pneumatic drills and painted them battleship grey (vandals!) and I can see they damaged yours too by the bit that's been glued back on like mine -  and now and again I give it a good going over with some Jif, Domestos, Fairy and a pan scrubber.  Seems to do the trick. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Shane on January 20, 2014 at 14:32

I've done a bit of online searching and so many people say that you have to leave a window open to clear the condensation. I tried this today and it worked. The condensation that was streaming down my windows has gone. unfortunately my flat now resembles an ice block. It is freezing. So in reality that's not something I can do all the time or I will suffer from hypothermia. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on January 20, 2014 at 17:09

I too leave a window open, but once it gets to around this time, it is too cold!  Someone suggested leaving a window open all night.    Not something I`m going to try!

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on January 20, 2014 at 17:13

Interesting article and very helpful. I ran my newly purchased dehumidifier this morning, after waking up to windows streaming with water, and it took just over one hour to completely clear them.   Is it advisable to leave the unit on all night?
 
Tim Chapple said:

Roland, do you know if the double glazing solved the condensation?  I wonder if you could send me their contact details? Can you private message on this website? Thanks Tim
 
Roland Jeffery said:

I run a dehumidifier every day throughout winter months. It very effective but expensive to run as it uses 2kw / hour on medium, the setting I find works best. It runs for 2 or 4 hours daily depending on outside temperature. I have found it is the only way to stop my Crescent House flat having pools of water running across the floor each winter morning.

This is not surprising. Crescent House is a curtain-walled building with large scale cold-bridging from balconies. The original underfloor heating which used the concrete floor and wall structure of Crescent House to positive effect (to retain heat like a giant storage heater) was disconnected without the COL having any strategy for replacement.

I am one of those crazy types who actually opens my windows wide at least once a week to ventilate thoroughly, even if it does mean a blast of cold. But in spite of this and the dehumidifier there is still a lingering mould problem. I find a bi-monthly wipe with anti-mould treatment is  needed in damp corners in addition.

Double glazing would greatly help. The leaseholder who installed it recently in Crescent House - and has just received retrospective listed building consent for the job - is showing great leadership.  Installers matched our beautiful Iroko hardwood frames, have respected the design and kept almost all of the original fabric and have taken advantage of the deep reveals in the hardwood frame to accommodate thin profile gas-filled panels. No PVC, no nasty fixings.

Most people don't even know the Crescent House double glazing job was done as the units were pre-fabricated and installed one Saturday morning in 5 hours. The appearance is seamless.  I spoke to the workmen who were methodical, skilled and rapid, not cowboys. They were a mix of Polish and Lithuanian. I would be breaking confidences if I said how much that job cost but I asked for a quote for my own flat which is a floor higher and has internal windows as well as on the main elevation. I was surprised how modest the quote was.  Even allowing for the fact the quote was verbal and might creep up if I show further interest it would be seriously worth considering. 

If the COL ever get round to Crescent House (the largest and least well-maintained building on the Estate) there will doubtless be sizeable fees, several feasibilities, one or two false starts,  hefty on-costs for (mis)management by desk-jockeys and lavish health & safety paperwork. There will be 20% VAT on top and a snail's pace of progress.

Forgive my cynicism, but I feel it well placed. Let us not forget that it has taken the COL at least 14 years to work out how to upgrade GAH - and work has yet to start. I think leaseholders in Crescent House should take things into our own hands. 

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Permalink Reply by nathan on January 20, 2014 at 18:40

Dear Steve, it would be useful if you could tell us which de humidifier you purchased, price and where you bought it, there are many on sale and all have different reviews, some good some bad, I would be grateful as these are not a cheap purchase.

thx

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on January 20, 2014 at 19:03

Sure thing Nathan.  Ecoair ECO DD122FW Desiccant Simple Dehumidifier

Cost me £130-00 via Amazon.  So far, it`s been great.  Not sure if it would work in a larger room, as I live in a studio flat?   Cleared bad condensation on my windows in just over an hour this morning.   In the long term, I`ll try and monitor the running costs.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on January 21, 2014 at 17:05

Final update.  More condensation issues last night, but again cleared no problem by the dehumidifier.  It`s quiet, on the low setting, but difficult to sleep with it on!  Maybe a nice merlot beforehand would help me!!!

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Permalink Reply by Maria Elizabeth Prior on January 21, 2014 at 19:23

My old dehumidifier is by Ebac, and about 16 years old.  Its still going strong, even though there's holes in the back of it.  However, it is noisy so try not to have it on at night.  Amazingly, so far this winter have had hardly any condensation, so have not needed it very much.  Apparently, it was designed to be suitable for a 3 bedroom house, but obviously have not tested that theory out.  They do vary in power, and how much water they can hold, so it is wise to have a good look round.  Mine cost about £300 at the time, but considering the COL paid for it, as I was a tenant, that was not an issue for me.  However, the mould I had had did cause a lot of damage which is costly and a 'pain' having to restore the affected areas. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on January 23, 2014 at 15:41

£300-00 squid, good lord.  I assume it`s Bluetooth enabled, has built in wi-fi, has a HD widescreen display and plays MP3`s for that price?

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Permalink Reply by Maria Elizabeth Prior on January 24, 2014 at 0:10

I wish Steve.  Nothing like that, I'm afraid, apart from just, well, clearing condensation!  I think they were so expensive then was because dehumidifiers were fairly new, hence the high cost. 

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Permalink Reply by Steve Daszko on February 2, 2014 at 21:49

Mine is a desiccant type as well and it does the job. £130 well spent, although coming just after Christmas, not welcome!!!

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