Tuesday, February 13, 2007
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Are tape, mud, and texture were applied to our drywall, we started experiencing moisture problems in the house, especially the garage and master bedroom. After consulting some experts, we've learned that the moisture is coming from the drywall compound as it drys and releases moisture into the air. And since it is so terribly cold outside (about -10°F) compared to the indoor temperature (about 60°F), the temperature difference was causing condensation on the master bedroom windows and on the concrete in the garage. There was so much condensation in the master bedroom that there were a couple of water drips that cut right through the new texture, and we'll have to touch up those spots. We started to panic, because the moisture was getting worse and worse. But things settled down in only a day or two after we cranked up our new Ultra-Aire 150H whole-house ventilating dehumidifier and placed three inexpensive ceramic space heaters in our garage along with three box fans. It's all about drying the air, moving the air (fans), and heating the air--problem solved! This problem should not be taken lightly, though. While we were able to get it under control quickly, these types of moisture problems in a new construction, if left unchecked, can cause serious damage. If our remedy had not worked, we would have brought in an extra dehumidifier, probably a Phoenix R175 portable dehumidifier available through distributors like Standard Chemical, Inc.
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