Do any of you use a dehumidifier in your new construction or remodeling projects?
We have a new house being built, and just for the heck of it, I started running a standard consumer-grade dehumidifier in it once the sheetrock started being finished.
It has not been run faithfully at all, but I would say we have still removed close to 15 gallons from the air.
I don’t know too much about the science behind relative humidity, but I would think that 15 gallons is a pretty significant amount. We are air sealed pretty well, so I don’t think we’re taking too much moisture on from the outside.
Maybe it will help the sheetrock, paint, and wood flooring. Or maybe not.
Is this practice worth the effort? Would a serious unit be the ticket? Or is the standard grade sufficient?
Replies
Jon, on the house we are doing I ran a rented Drizair 1100 dehu for a month starting the day they started hanging drywall. The house was dried in around December 1 and I know we had fairly high humidity inside before I started that. I also ran a 4000-watt electric heater (actually we are still using that, although it is just about warm enough to stop now). I also have a couple of household-type box fans to move air around.
While the taping was going on, the lead taper commented on how well everything dried for a winter job. They sprayed the last coat of mud, then VB primer, then the painters sprayed 2-3 coats of paint everywhere. Everything dried out well. I have a couple of cheap thermometer/hygrometer units in the house and things are typically around 45% RH at 68 degrees.
Jon, I think the time to run a dehumidifier is before the house is drywalled. In an effort to reduce framing lumber moisture content, so as to lessen nail pops. Usually along with that you'll need some heat that doesn't add moisture to the air. If you think about how much mud has gone on the walls, I don't know if 15 gallons isso much.
Rich
I would like to dry the job out before the sheetrock is up, but we have no easy way to seal the house from the exterior at that point.The walls are insulated and reasonably air tight, but the ceiling is open and the soffits are wide open. I wonder if a dehumidifier would do any good with so much outside air able to come in?
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
My feeling is no... not much air seal until there is drywall in. A vented roof is a significant leaker.
Are you using S-dry framing lumber?
Yes.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
I'd agree, won't do any good till it's sealed well. Using the dry lumber is good, should cut down on the nail pops.
Rich
I was quite surprised. I thought the same thing. I brought mine to a job site once and ran it on constant while the DW was drying. It didnt pull anything out of the air. I thought for sure it would help but it didnt.