Not on its own. It can help stop condensation mould coming back, but it will not fix a leak, rain getting in or rising damp.
A dehumidifier will not remove mould that is already there. You still need to clean it off.
It can help stop new mould growing when the cause is condensation, because it takes moisture out of the air before it settles on cold surfaces. It will not fix a leak, rain getting through a wall or rising damp, because that water is in the fabric of the building, not the air, and it can disguise those problems while the wall stays wet.
If a dehumidifier fills its tank quickly all year round, including in summer, or the damp patch stays wet while the air is dry, the moisture is probably coming from somewhere else. See damp patch on a wall but no leak.
A dehumidifier can make a room feel better while the cause carries on. If you are relying on one all winter just to keep mould at bay, it is worth knowing why the home is so damp in the first place, because a fix at source is usually cheaper than running a machine every winter.
Vigilant Surveys is an independent damp and mould surveying practice covering East Anglia, North London and the West Midlands. We carry out no remedial work, sell no products and take no commission from anyone who does the repairs, so there is nothing to sell you afterwards.
Every survey includes thermal imaging, moisture readings against a dry control and hygrometer readings, and you get a clear written report within 24 hours of the visit. £350 for the problem areas, £450 for the whole property, fixed prices, no payment to book.
It can help stop new mould growing if the cause is condensation, by lowering the moisture in the air. It will not remove mould that is already there, so clean that off first.
No. Rising damp is moisture coming up from the ground into the wall. A dehumidifier dries the air in the room, not the wall.
In the room with the problem, in the middle of the floor, away from walls and curtains, with the door and windows shut while it runs.
Most guidance suggests keeping indoor humidity in a moderate range, roughly 40 to 60 percent. Readings that stay well above that in the cold months mean the air is wetter than the coldest surfaces can cope with.
Run it when the humidity is high, usually in the colder months and after showers or drying washing. If you need it all year just to stop mould, the moisture is probably coming from a cause that needs fixing.
No payment to book. Tell me what you are seeing and I will call you straight back, usually within a couple of hours, to arrange a visit and confirm the fixed price.
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