If you live in the UK, you're well aware that it is a country like no other. Steeped in tradition, history and rainy weather, the United Kingdom faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to fighting off the unwanted effects of the turbulent UK weather. Whilst the rain can easily be written off as a part and parcel fact of life in the UK, there's no denying that the damp caused by said rain can be devastating for homes. In this article, we're taking a look at the causes, effects and the solution to help relieve the pressure of increasingly turbulent weather in the United Kingdom.
The UK Weather
Internationally, the United Kingdom is known for many interesting and unique things. But our weather is renowned for it's ability to change in the blink of an eye. Whilst this may hamper a trip or visit, there is a harsh reality to the UK rainfall.
Damp
Perhaps one of the largest, passive threats to your home, damp is created by persistent rainfall causing waterlogging, flooding and even leaks within UK homes. With the UK weather being so unpredictable- this isn't exactly something that many Brits anticipate and thus, aren't prepared for when it comes to protecting their homes from the adverse effects of the damp. Despite this there are steps we can take to ensure that we are always prepared for the worst of the UK weather.
Getting a Dehumidifier
As you may have guessed, one of the best ways to prepare for various UK weather warnings is to invest in a dehumidifier. Although you are more than welcome to stick to traditional methods of drying up around the house with towels or kitchen roll, this labour intensive method of home maintenance can lead to damp areas being left behind, an ever-mounting to-do list and, even if you are thorough; there is still room for error. This all changes with a dehumidifier.
Dehumidifiers For Home
For one thing, dealing with damp and water is exactly what a dehumidifier is designed to do. Dehumidifiers are exceptionally skilled at extracting water from furniture, clothes and wood. But that's not all that a UK dehumidifier is capable of. As eluded to, the rain is part and parcel of British life and (with such historic UK buildings) damp caused by rainfall is a larger threat than simply waterlogging your clothes. We'll cover this more in depth soon- but for now, lets have a look at some prime examples of how damp can threaten so much more than your laundry bill.
Peeling Wallpaper
Damage on Roof
Black Mould In Walls
Leaks, Mould & Damage
As we can see, there are a variety of ways that rainfall can cause serious damage to home United Kingdom. Whilst these may seem trivial at the time (really- what damage can a bit of rain really cause?-) the downward spiral following from unchecked damp can be swift, ruthless and severe. Whilst some damage may seem like something that can be fixed over the course of a few days, it's important to note that each time the rain falls; that damage is getting worse and worse. But, thankfully, there is something we can do about it.
Relying on a UK Dehumidifier
Picking up a dehumidifier may seem like a bold step, but when your home is at stake- no step is really too bold. Dehumidifiers have a variety of different methods to collect moisture but regardless of the type of dehumidifier you want to go for, you'll achieve relatively the same result. If you'd like a more in-depth guide on finding the right dehumidifier for you, I can recommend checking out our article Which Dehumidifier Do I Need? But suffice it to say, whilst we've extensively covered the way to start your dehumidifying journey, we realise that it's just as important to cover why you may want to consider a dehumidifier solution.
The reality is that a dehumidifier is your first line of defence against damp. As a result, all of the effects of the damp (mould, damage and more) that we've already covered can be fought with the addition of a dehumidifier in your home. Dehumidifiers draw moisture out of almost anything- including walls, ceilings, carpets and more and therefore are excellent solutions to pockets of damp that could be otherwise inaccessible. However, this article isn't about dehumidifiers per-se. Instead, we're focusing on the challenges you'll have to overcome when it comes to using your dehumidifier in the UK.
Dehumidifier Tips UK
Our first tip is very straightforward but includes everything you want a dehumidifier for. By keeping your home warm- either using an electric heater or optimising your heating system- you can greatly increase the efficiency of your dehumidifier. This is because most dehumidifiers utilize refrigeration technology to "trap" the water in their water tanks. If the water that is being extracted is already cold, this could lead to freezing inside your dehumidifier. It isn't the end of the world if this happens (as you can imagine- dehumidifiers are typically waterproof) and once the frozen water has melted- with a good dehumidifier, you'll be ready for round two.
Our second tip is more practical. Always ensure that you're placing your dehumidifier in a place that is comfortable and cosy for your home, but that also isn't obstructing your dehumidifier's ventilation ports. Ventilation ports is a bit of an unusual term, but rest assured the definition is relatively straightforward when it comes to dehumidifiers. The ventilation ports are simply where the extracted water comes into the dehumidifier through. These can be seen as small holes around your dehumidifier and ideally should be kept clear to ensure that your dehumidifier is running at its fullest potential. In the United Kingdom, this can be a bit of an issue considering the smaller size of average UK housing. But with a bit of British intuition and more compact dehumidifier designs, I'm sure that you'll find the perfect dehumidifier for your size of space.
One Final Dehumidifier Tip
Always ensure that your dehumidifier is emptied and ready to start extracting water again. These days, modern dehumidifiers have an automatic shut off feature. This means that when the water tank is full, the intelligently designed dehumidifier stops extracting any more water. Whilst this is a great feature in terms of preventing flooding and easily avoidable spillages, this can sometimes lead to a bout of confusion- particularly when damp may be re-emerging in walls and ceilings. This is a tell tale sign that your dehumidifier needs looking after. As I've mentioned previously, a dehumidifier is like an additional member of the family- caring for and protecting your home. If you've got a dehumidifier and are noticing damp returning or emerging in your home, then it's worth checking in with your dehumidifier to make sure that it's water tank is nice and empty, ready to begin fighting moisture and decay in your home once more.
In Conclusion
The United Kingdom is a unique and varied country that experiences the best and worst types of weather and it isn't uncommon to see both types back to back. Whilst this presents some interesting challenges when it comes to getting damp and moisture under control, rest assured- that with these tips (and a strong dehumidifier by your side) you'll be able to face down the worst that British weather can throw at your home.
