Calcium Carbonate - drying agent??

[Moominho]

I've recently been looking at a flat in a church conversion. I'm pretty sure it's got damp issues, amongst a whole host of other problems.

In one of the rooms, that has been suspiciously decorated recently (as opposed to the rest of the place which hasn't been) - the vendor has left a largeish bag of Calcium Carbonate near the window. Can it act as some sort of drying agent like Silica gel.

The (really very odd) seller said that he thought one of the tenants used it as a cutting agent for drugs and then laughed. Not sure if it was a joke or not.

I know it sounds like a really bad idea, but the place could be lovely, it just needs a lot of TLC.

[Ynox]

Yep - calcium carbonate is usually used for dehumidifying.

[Moominho]

Ynox said:

Yep - calcium carbonate is usually used for dehumidifying.

Explains a lot - thanks mate

[jagnet]

And to think the walls could have been coated entirely in calcium carbonate if things had been done properly when being converted. Several hundred kilos of the stuff versus a small packet on the window sill

[kurt535]

Don't touch it.

If a flat am assuming its a leasehold property.

Water ingress could from rising or penetrating damp.

Long term it will mean dealing with and could end up including other leaseholders leading to big costs if, for example its penetrating damp via roof which could need replacing, etcetc.

Walk away......please!

[Moominho]

kurt535 said:

Don't touch it.

If a flat am assuming its a leasehold property.

Water ingress could from rising or penetrating damp.

Long term it will mean dealing with and could end up including other leaseholders leading to big costs if, for example its penetrating damp via roof which could need replacing, etcetc.

Walk away......please!

Thanks mate - I think I will take your advice. Much appreciated.