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Message
Humidity in an older house
Posted on 12/31/22 at 10:22 am
Posted on 12/31/22 at 10:22 am
My mom lives in an older house and cools it with window units. She keeps many rooms shut off so she won't have to cool them. Yesterday, I noticed slight moister damage to the ceiling and tops of the walls in the closed-off rooms. I don't think this is a roof leak as it rained yesterday and the ceiling was not wet. Additionally yesterday there was moister on the floor on the hallway along the walls (we got an inch of rain yesterday and temps in the 60s).
Humidity is the only thing I can think of. My plan is to get a whole house dehumidifier and put it in the center of the house.
Where I want to place it (near a sink) there is no plug nearby but there is a light switch, so I'm looking at changing out the switch with a switch that also has a GFI plug. (see link GFI plug and light switch.
Any other thoughts?
Humidity is the only thing I can think of. My plan is to get a whole house dehumidifier and put it in the center of the house.
Where I want to place it (near a sink) there is no plug nearby but there is a light switch, so I'm looking at changing out the switch with a switch that also has a GFI plug. (see link GFI plug and light switch.
Any other thoughts?
5
Posted on 12/31/22 at 10:35 am to greenbean
It’s possible that the switch you are trying to convert to an outlet will only have a hot wire (no neutral). If that is the case you will not be able to accomplish what you are trying to do.
Pull the switch and it it only has 2 black/hot wires you are SOL.
Pull the switch and it it only has 2 black/hot wires you are SOL.
Posted on 12/31/22 at 11:01 am to MikeBRLA
quote:
t’s possible that the switch you are trying to convert to an outlet will only have a hot wire (no neutral). If that is the case you will not be able to accomplish what you are trying to do.
Pull the switch and it it only has 2 black/hot wires you are SOL.
Thanks, good intel.
Posted on 12/31/22 at 12:06 pm to MikeBRLA
40 years ago, the light fixture that switch controlled had a 110 outlet , the fixture was changed out sometime since then and now has no outlet. I could change that light fixture out, but was hoping the switch would work as it is much easier/cheaper.
Posted on 1/2/23 at 2:26 am to greenbean
quote:
Any other thoughts?
How big is the house? Before you go working wiring issues, just plug the dehumidifier into an available outlet and monitor.
How cold did this room get during recent cold fronts? Is it possible it got extremely cold and now you're having surface condensation?
Posted on 1/2/23 at 10:03 am to greenbean
Wife’s grandmother ruined her house doing this.
She stayed in her bedroom and kitchen and everything else was closed off
Mold was everywhere. Ended up selling the house after she died for pennies because of the extensive repairs that needed to be done.
She stayed in her bedroom and kitchen and everything else was closed off
Mold was everywhere. Ended up selling the house after she died for pennies because of the extensive repairs that needed to be done.
Posted on 1/2/23 at 1:04 pm to greenbean
There’s really not a cheap solution OP. I don’t know her age but it’s going to be really difficult to sell a house without a central HVAC system. You really should highly consider getting some quotes to get one installed. I know it’ll be $4-5,000 or more but again you’ll get that or more in the value of the house.
You are probably right about the moisture and there’s not going to be a good solution unless you are able to move air around properly. You get pockets of humid air where it doesn’t move and just sits, and it’ll mildew.
You are probably right about the moisture and there’s not going to be a good solution unless you are able to move air around properly. You get pockets of humid air where it doesn’t move and just sits, and it’ll mildew.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 8:27 am to baldona
quote:
There’s really not a cheap solution OP. I don’t know her age but it’s going to be really difficult to sell a house without a central HVAC system. You really should highly consider getting some quotes to get one installed. I know it’ll be $4-5,000 or more but again you’ll get that or more in the value of the house.
You are probably right about the moisture and there’s not going to be a good solution unless you are able to move air around properly. You get pockets of humid air where it doesn’t move and just sits, and it’ll mildew.
We will never sell the house, but a new HVAC system is great idea. It has one already, with all the duct work, but it hasn't worked in probably 15 years. My dad is dead, so I don't know why he didn't get it repaired, he probably was looking strictly at costs.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 8:33 am to dragginass
quote:
How big is the house? Before you go working wiring issues, just plug the dehumidifier into an available outlet and monitor.
How cold did this room get during recent cold fronts? Is it possible it got extremely cold and now you're having surface condensation?
House is probably 1700sf, there is no outlet nearby, but i'll run and extension cord. It was 66 that day, and the prior day, but we were coming off the extreme cold temps the few days prior to Christmas.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 1:46 pm to greenbean
You don't necessarily have to have the dehumidifier in the problem area. Unlike temperature, humidity within a space (house) equalizes well.
I'd run the dehumidifier for a while and see how it goes. Buy a cheap hygrometer to monitor things. I would not be surprised at all if that room got extremely cold, and then started to sweat. At minimum, get your mom to leave the bedroom doors open.
I'd run the dehumidifier for a while and see how it goes. Buy a cheap hygrometer to monitor things. I would not be surprised at all if that room got extremely cold, and then started to sweat. At minimum, get your mom to leave the bedroom doors open.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 9:29 pm to greenbean
I don’t really know why the window units are not drying it up some. Maybe you need to put some effort into sealing the house up a little better.
Posted on 1/3/23 at 10:46 pm to Spankum
quote:
I don’t really know why the window units are not drying it up some. Maybe you need to put some effort into sealing the house up a little better.
she closes off the doors to those rooms (as they are not used) and doesn't run the window units all the time (only when needed) and turns them off when she leaves, etc. I've told her to leave the units on all summer, but she turns them off.
Posted on 1/4/23 at 6:43 am to greenbean
quote:
We will never sell the house, but a new HVAC system is great idea. It has one already, with all the duct work, but it hasn't worked in probably 15 years. My dad is dead, so I don't know why he didn't get it repaired, he probably was looking strictly at costs
If you are going to do it, have the ductwork inspected and if not replaced, at least cleaned out by a pro. We do ours every other year, it’s unreal the shite that still comes out
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