Older Home: Condensation Problem: Walls?
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
David Parting asked:
I bought a 100+ year home which has electric baseboard heaters.
Throughout the winter, there was condensation on both the main story and the upstairs — especially on the walls near the ceilings. In some places it gathered and started running down the wall.
Mold has formed in one wall in the house. (roughly 1 sqft in size) Bleaching it away doesn’t help and it comes back frequently. Unfortunately I live in a cold climate, so opening the windows during the winter won’t work.
Dehumidifiers do not work, even when constantly on.
It does appear that the house suffers from a lack of insulation in the exterior walls. The windows are vinyl.
I bought a 100+ year home which has electric baseboard heaters.
Throughout the winter, there was condensation on both the main story and the upstairs — especially on the walls near the ceilings. In some places it gathered and started running down the wall.
Mold has formed in one wall in the house. (roughly 1 sqft in size) Bleaching it away doesn’t help and it comes back frequently. Unfortunately I live in a cold climate, so opening the windows during the winter won’t work.
Dehumidifiers do not work, even when constantly on.
It does appear that the house suffers from a lack of insulation in the exterior walls. The windows are vinyl.
How do I stop this excessive condensation? Should I better insulate the walls? The attic? How do I know that this would help?
Kristopher