Thank you. Yes I have a meaco running all the time. It's full every 24hrs. It's a 12ltr one.Rather than the desiccant humidifier, try a condensing one.
Meaco is a good brand & with a piece of hose pipe you can let it drain & not have to empty it.
They are pennies to run.
Raise the external cracks to your management company. Are the other residents having issues?
What would you say your routine is for opening windows?So if the humidity reading is the same in both places, why does my apartment smell damp and everything that comes out of it has a musty smell.
All windows are opened for 30 mins in morning. And I leave the bathroom window open an inch most of the day and night.What would you say your routine is for opening windows?
Insulated plasterboard.. It was done before I moved in. I'm there 5 yrs so I'd say it was done within the last 10 yrs.@Annakay, can you describe the type of internal insulation you have (e.g. insulated plasterboard or insulation between battens with plasterboards skim finish ...) and when was it installed. What age is the apartment building and what type are the external walls (e.g. solid block or cavity or ?).
Also, you mention the kitchen wall being both uninsulated internally and damp free, is this an external wall?
Correct. Got my dehumidifier types mixed up.Rather than the desiccant humidifier, try a condensing one.
There's water getting in somewheremeaco running all the time. It's full every 24hrs. It's a 12ltr one
To summarise what we know, you are getting a musty / damp smell yet no visible signs of damp or mould. The external walls are cavity walls (pumped?, what size cavity? - 1960 was early doors for cavity wall construction!) and internally drylined/insulated with insulated plasterboard. You heat the place sufficiently and open the windows regularly. You have had a PIV unit installed which has had a positive impact on the RH% readings but not the musty smell.Insulated plasterboard.. It was done before I moved in. I'm there 5 yrs so I'd say it was done within the last 10 yrs.
Cavity walls. Build 1960.
The front wall is external where the sink is and window is . Then the right side is adjoining the neighbour.
Something is really wrong if there is that much humidity in the air.Yes I have a meaco running all the time. It's full every 24hrs. It's a 12ltr one.
Sorry, it's a 12l meaco but the tank holds maybe 3 litres.There's water getting in somewhere
Thank you so much for your time and advice.To summarise what we know, you are getting a musty / damp smell yet no visible signs of damp or mould. The external walls are cavity walls (pumped?, what size cavity? - 1960 was early doors for cavity wall construction!) and internally drylined/insulated with insulated plasterboard. You heat the place sufficiently and open the windows regularly. You have had a PIV unit installed which has had a positive impact on the RH% readings but not the musty smell.
In my experience, what you are experiencing are the classic symptoms of interstitial condensation occurring between the original internal wall surface and the back of the insulated plasterboard. This condensation then becomes a constant water source for mould to grow & thrive there and this is what you are smelling.
This phenomenon would generally be more prevalent on the North & East side of a building.
The PIV unit may not be helping as much as you might think in that it may be forcing moisture laden relatively warm air through gaps etc in the drylining (there are many), not really helping the issue (this is the risk with PIV over a central extract system!).
I doubt the crack in the external render is in play because of the cavity, though it should be dealt with by the management company in any case.
Possible actions to consider:
- Ensure there are no active water leaks in the building
- Did any of the surveyors open up a socket or switch and see / smell what is behind on the wall (obviously isolating the power first)? If not, this would be my first action in the worst affected room. Take action depending on findings.
- Can the wall cavity be insulated?
- Consider upgrading / changing the ventilation to a continuous central mechanical ventilation system to remove the moisture at source.
Rubbishhumidity from too much insulation
Possible, but from what you've described I don't think this is your issuenot enough ventilation
Yes, I think there's mould hiding out and that's what the smell is. Must be in the walls, unfortunately.Rubbish
Possible, but from what you've described I don't think this is your issue
Am I the only one who feels this is way too inadequate, especially given your extensive condensation ? Is the apartment dual aspect ? I open mine all day and it takes about 2 hours to clear the bedroom fully.All windows are opened for 30 mins in morning. And I leave the bathroom window open an inch most of the day and night.
Like most things in life, it depends.Am I the only one who feels this is way too inadequate, especially given your extensive condensation ? Is the apartment dual aspect ? I open mine all day and it takes about 2 hours to clear the bedroom fully.
In my experience, what you are experiencing are the classic symptoms of interstitial condensation occurring between the original internal wall surface and the back of the insulated plasterboard. This condensation then becomes a constant water source for mould to grow & thrive there and this is what you are smelling.
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