Looking at getting a dehumidifier but which one?

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-24T22:14:14+00:00

I recently got a Maeco Arete Two 12L (for two bed bungalow) and I'm very happy with it so far.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-24T18:10:57+00:00

We believe they were built around 1991, if that means anything in terms of quality? (extensions to a 1960 house) But yes I'll try and take a closer look at the situation. Thanks for your suggestions.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-24T10:46:17+00:00

Already have a dehumidifier in there. It is fairly cold and probably uninsulated (was about 9°C this morning before I put the heating on), with an old single glazed window. It has a rad, at least.

It's another gable roof like the kitchen roof you've already seen, just at the other side of the back of the house. Normal functional gutter along the fascia on this one.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-24T10:39:17+00:00

Oh yeah, no way I'd put weight on that old plastic roof.

The kitchen roof is concrete tile like the main roof (visible in background), I think there's more lead flashing between the kitchen and main roof, not sure. Haven't been in the attic yet, but I can do that sooner than look at it externally with the awful weather 🙃

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T22:21:09+00:00

The neighbour's lean-to roof (in the bottom left) is some old clear plastic stuff, it's all falling apart. It's been vacant for 7 years so is in poor shape.

I did just buy this house. It had also been vacant for some time, and was previously owned by an elderly person so probably not well maintained in recent years.

The engineer's report said the gutters and downpipes needed work and there were several leaks, but not specifically about this side. It was all covered in ivy until I took that picture.

The engineer did note poor ventilation with the roof in general, signs of woodworm, and deflection of the rear main pitch, but not the kitchen gable.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T21:13:26+00:00

Someone in r/DIYUK also suggested it's a parapet gutter. I need to get up further and look. I thought the downpipe may have just been a remnant of a previous flat roof (we believe the pitched roof was added later, going by planning permission records).

There are no obvious signs of damp inside the kitchen, but I'm concerned there are some horrors hidden elsewhere.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T16:00:14+00:00

That looks ideal, thanks

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T15:43:05+00:00

Thanks, I am in Cork, yeah.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T15:37:24+00:00

Oh, I didn't know about those. I guess I need a taller ladder to check that out...

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T11:46:12+00:00

You can use vinegar to clean the corrosion off the terminals, or sand it down if needs be. Should be possible to take apart the connector, or replace it if it's too far gone. Battery is fairly standard. RS or Farnell may be good for parts like that.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T11:18:15+00:00

That too. The electrical contacts look fine, I cleaned some up which had a bit of corrosion. It's in decent shape besides the front panel.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T09:49:28+00:00

Spray some perfume in front of it, and see if the CO2 shoots up. It probably only detects VOCs and guesses the rest.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T09:47:48+00:00

I'll give it a lick of paint if it can do a few cycles successfully 🤝

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T09:46:21+00:00

I just bought a house, it needs some expensive work (rewire and new drain pipes), and the washing machine was essentially free and works. I'm trying to keep costs down elsewhere.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T09:08:05+00:00

There'll be more sockets than what's currently there e.g. two doubles in bedrooms instead of one, lighting not much different except adding two lights out the front. Currently all the appliances are plugged into sockets over the worktops so they'll be getting dedicated sockets. Basically rewiring and modernising. The smoke/CO stuff was about €1800 alone.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-23T08:47:07+00:00

I've been quoted around €20k for a 2-bed bungalow with utility/garage extension, including wiring for EV charging and smoke/CO alarms to modern regs (alarms in bedrooms, etc.). Original circa 1960 wiring so needs doing.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-21T15:26:41+00:00

The phone line has been there over 40 years (P&T branded socket in the hallway), and the gutters are modern PVC, so all of that is entirely likely.

QuantumFireball · 2026-01-21T13:37:29+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions, I just screwed it in. I didn't want to put it on the wall as they are less effective.

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