Dehumidification moisture damage

[Jompa MV]

Hello, we recently moved into a house and after tearing down built-in wardrobes in a walk-in closet, we discovered mold. We have fixed the issue and are now going to dry out the wall. I have now placed a dehumidifier near the wall where the moisture is. My question is which way should I position it? Should the side that draws in moist air be placed towards the wall, or should the side that blows out dry air be placed towards the wall? I'm attaching a picture; currently, the "suction side" is towards the wall. Grateful for help.

 

[Semiproffset]

Theoretically, warm air could dry an area a bit faster. But the principle is based on the air condensing in the dehumidifier, which then becomes dry. The dry air in the room then pulls moisture out of the wall as it seeks a higher RH.

I would place the dehumidifier so that it stands as unobstructed as possible and can process a lot of air. No furniture in the way or close to walls that would disrupt the airflow.

I assume it is a stone wall and that you cannot easily remove as much moist material as possible?

 

[Jompa MV]

Thank you for your response! It is a concrete wall, exterior wall. So completely removing it is problematic. Now we are trying to dry it out.

 

[Jompa MV]

For several hours, I have directed a heat lamp towards the affected area; I don't know if it helps, but I read it on the Anticimex website.

 

[Semiproffset]

I have directed an infrared heater towards the affected area for a few hours, not sure if it helps but read about it on the anticimex website

Yes, I think that's more effective than trying to aim the dehumidifier. Use infrared heat but keep the dehumidifier so it can work optimally.

Is it a basement, by the way? If so, it might be a good idea to consider how the moisture got there in the first place. A drier wall will draw more moisture from the ground if the waterproofing is inadequate on the outside.

 

[boihus123]

Hi, we recently moved into a house and after removing built-in closets in a walk-in closet, we discovered mold. We have fixed the issue and now need to dry out the wall. I have now placed a dehumidifier near the wall where the moisture is. My question is, which direction should I place it? Should the side that draws in moist air be placed against the wall, or should the side that blows out dry air be placed against the wall? Attached is a picture, currently, the "suction side" is facing the wall. Grateful for help

Hi, how did you fix the issue and what was the problem?
Would not heat up the surface, it can make it more difficult for moisture deeper in to escape.

 

[Jompa MV]

The error was due to moisture that penetrated through the foundation wall. It has been addressed by removing organic material that was against the foundation, and by casting about 20 cm of concrete on the wall with a slope away from the house. On top of this, some kind of "sheet" has been heat-welded, I don't remember what it was called . Then a sheet metal on top of that. The foundation is against rock.

 

[Jompa MV]

Hmm so I shouldn't heat it without?

 

[boihus123]

Heating helps but since it's a small area being heated, it feels like the moisture might find another way. Maybe place it a little bit further away so the whole area is heated more evenly.

 

[Jompa MV]

Ok thanks for the tip. Another question. The dehumidifier is supposed to have a capacity of 20l / day. Now it's been on for a day, and there's less than 1 L in the container. There's a significantly raised moisture content in that part of the wall, so I thought there would be more water, but maybe it doesn't work that way?

 

[Semiproffset]

Ok thanks for the advice. Another question. The dehumidifier is supposed to have a capacity of 20l/day. It has been running for a day, and there is less than 1 L in the container. There is, therefore, a significantly high moisture content in that part of the wall, so I thought there would be more water, but maybe it doesn't work that way?

oh, I'm venturing into uncharted waters here, so take this as a "guesstimate." Maybe someone more knowledgeable will find the thread and provide a better answer.

But I simply don't think you have more moisture release in the room. Water in concrete is quite sluggish if, for example, you compare it to having soaking wet open insulation or some other material that releases moisture faster.
For example, I had a downpour through the panoramic roof of my car. I put in a dehumidifier and probably drained 25-30l of water in 48 hours.
The same dehumidifier is now in our laundry room, where it's not nearly as effective. I also used it in the garage after a water leak, and there wasn't more than maybe a couple of liters after a day.

It might be slightly better if you position the dehumidifier more freely in the room and close doors, etc., to create a closed space.

 

[Jompa MV]

Thank you for the "killgissningen" I think you're right in your guess and I reason the same way. Following advice, I have moved it more freely into the room and I have closed off the space with construction plastic. The area/room is small, about 7 sqm.

 

[Semiproffset]

Thanks for the "educated guess" I think you are right in your guess and I reason the same way. On advice, I have moved it more freely into the room and I have closed the space with construction plastic. The area/room is small, about 7sqm

Are you getting any better effect?

 

[Jompa MV]

Well, hard to say. But no noticeable effect. Since I don't have direct knowledge on the subject, it's difficult to determine if it's due to 1. A bad dehumidifier. 2. Non-optimal placement. 3. That it simply results in very little water/day when trying to dry out a concrete wall

 

[salkin85]

It takes time. A long time to dry concrete. While it gets moisture from the other side of the wall. Run for a couple more weeks, then let it air dry for a couple more weeks.