Damp condensation in built-in wardrobe

[steveoelliott]

Hi Folks,

 

I have an issue with damp or more specifically condensation in a built in wardrobe in a north facing bedroom. This is a 1960s house. I have attached a picture merely for perspective.

This wardrobe, in the winter months has caused issues with some clothes feeling damp / smelling musty. Upon my own investigation I discovered that particularly the corner where the two outer walls meet the ceiling is especially cold and feels damp. This is always worse when the weather outside is particularly cold. It's never an issue in the warmer months.

 

My understanding of this is as follows. The room itself might be warm but the internals of the wardrobe with the doors closed remains cold. When the warm / moist air from the room gets into the wardrobe through the gaps around doors etc. it hits the cold walls / ceiling and condenses causing the moisture. As a workaround I have placed numerous dehumidifier pots in there which seem to help significantly but I am after a proper solution. The outside walls are solid brick with plaster (not dot and dab) and whilst there is cavity wall insulation, those walls in the wardrobe and ceiling are cold to touch. I have checked the loft and there is plenty of insulation above as in it isn't like the corners have less present etc.

When we decorate this room, I am wondering what my options are. I wondered if I could add some kind of thermal boarding (if something like that exists) to the inside of the wardrobe.

 

Appreciate any help you can offer.

Edited 5 hours ago by steveoelliott