Ideas on how to prevent condensation/mould behind wardrobes
Discussion
Main bedroom in a Victorian end of terrace house, which has two outside walls. One of them has the radiator and window, so no problems there, but the other is the only logical place to locate some freestanding wardrobes (due to old chimney breast, location of door etc.). Currently getting a small, but recurring amount of mould growth in a couple of places behind the wardrobes.
The window is left open a bit at night, and using a weather station as a sensor, humidity levels in the middle of the room don't normally exceed 60%, which is high, but not excessive. < the house is solid brick construction so generally permeable and not far off outdoor levels. Although I've left a 6" gap on either side of the wardrobes from the walls, the humidity behind them is ~10% higher, and so I'm assuming that there is minimal air circulation going on.
I currently have two ideas to help the problem:
- put a couple of 50W tube heaters (like used in caravans over winter, greenhouses etc.) between the wardrobes and the wall and use a timer or thermostatic plug to come on overnight. This should warm the outside wall directly, making it less likely that condensation occurs, and would presumably set up some sort of convection current as well.
- mount a small fan (would have to be v. quiet) to the back of each wardrobe to pull air upwards and let it exchange with the rest of the room/outside.
Any other suggestions?!
The window is left open a bit at night, and using a weather station as a sensor, humidity levels in the middle of the room don't normally exceed 60%, which is high, but not excessive. < the house is solid brick construction so generally permeable and not far off outdoor levels. Although I've left a 6" gap on either side of the wardrobes from the walls, the humidity behind them is ~10% higher, and so I'm assuming that there is minimal air circulation going on.
I currently have two ideas to help the problem:
- put a couple of 50W tube heaters (like used in caravans over winter, greenhouses etc.) between the wardrobes and the wall and use a timer or thermostatic plug to come on overnight. This should warm the outside wall directly, making it less likely that condensation occurs, and would presumably set up some sort of convection current as well.
- mount a small fan (would have to be v. quiet) to the back of each wardrobe to pull air upwards and let it exchange with the rest of the room/outside.
Any other suggestions?!
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