How long for new conservatory to 'dry out'?

[evrybuddy]

Had a new conservatory built - concrete floor, brick walls and polycell insulated roof - condensation is horrendous in the mornings at the moment.

This is entirely as the conservatory company said it would be given how much water went into foundations, floor and walls.

The conservatory company estimated 4-6 weeks to dry out but wondered if anyone has personal experience of this and how long it took for your conservatory or extension.

Also, how long did you wait to tile floor?

Sealed off from house with double glazed doors so this is nothing to do with breathing, washing and bathing - I know how people love to go into those!!!

[PigletJohn]

brick walls take about a month per inch of thickness. If yours was rained on before the roof went on, it will be saturated. I doubt the floor will dry until next summer, as it will be even slower. I expect the screed is about 150mm thick above the DPM.

Constant ventilation is what you need. It dries out better than trying to heat it (and conservatories have terrible heat loss).

You can get a large dehumidifier which will help, though unfortunately the heat it generates will fall out through the roof and glass. When using a dehumidifier you must close the doors and windows or it will try to dehumidify the world. Tool hire shops have big ones. Spread a few fans around, the air movement evaporates water out of the substrate and into the air.

[evrybuddy]

Thanks PigletJohn - yes, it rained a lot during construction!
Probably heavy rain at least 4 or 5 times over the course of the construction.

The company said we could try dehumidifiers but again, - time and good weather is the best solution.

We're pondering tiling the floor sometime in January/February - would that be too soon or does it not really have any effect on the drying process?

The conservatory company where fairly neutral on that - including it in the overall advice of - at least 4-6 weeks.

[PigletJohn]

you need to ask the floor tiler or have a look at the BAL website (tile adhesive maker). They will probably not warrant success if the floor exceeds their dampness guide. Once it is tiled I think it will take forever to finish drying. I think you would do better to put down a loose-weave plastic mat (walking on bare concrete will create dust) until summer.

[evrybuddy]

Thanks for that - The BAL website is interesting - will be good when they get their list of 'approved' tilers on there.

We can put that off until the summer then - feet up for a while!