Wardrobes & condensation

[tetris]

Hi All.

 

I'd really appreciate your thoughts on wardrobes and their apparent affinity to attract condensation.

 

In my old house I've had a few stand-alone Ikea units against external walls (Mid 1970s cavity walls). Despite the house not having any damp problems to note, I was surprised to find patches of mould behind the wardrobes when removing them. Two corner units leaning against 2 external walls were the worst).

 

In the new house (with damp issues that are yet to be fully diagnosed & resolved) I've got corner built-in wardrobes & I found thin ~2mm sheets of styrofoam glued to the inside of the external walls - potentially suggesting that previous occupants had condensation & mould issues there.

 

Is there a "proper" way to put in a wardrobe against an external wall, either built-in or stand-alone Ikea-type unit? Leave a void and plug PC-style fans into the sides to ensure circulation sounds a bit extreme? 🤔

 

Thank you.

[Nickfromwales]

5 hours ago, tetris said:

Hi All.

 

I'd really appreciate your thoughts on wardrobes and their apparent affinity to attract condensation.

 

In my old house I've had a few stand-alone Ikea units against external walls (Mid 1970s cavity walls). Despite the house not having any damp problems to note, I was surprised to find patches of mould behind the wardrobes when removing them. Two corner units leaning against 2 external walls were the worst).

 

In the new house (with damp issues that are yet to be fully diagnosed & resolved) I've got corner built-in wardrobes & I found thin ~2mm sheets of styrofoam glued to the inside of the external walls - potentially suggesting that previous occupants had condensation & mould issues there.

 

Is there a "proper" way to put in a wardrobe against an external wall, either built-in or stand-alone Ikea-type unit? Leave a void and plug PC-style fans into the sides to ensure circulation sounds a bit extreme? 🤔

 

Thank you.

Airflow is paramount. Convection should be fine; air can get in the bottom (under the plinths) and out the top, in equal quantities.
 

The thin styrofoam / EPS wallpaper stuff is a very good addition to this, which I’ve used myself with surprisingly good results, as it stops the very cold wall from having such a temperature differential to the internal (room) temp and humidity. 
 

If moisture can’t cool down it can’t then condense.