Working environment

Site storage of materials

If no protection is provided for stored materials this obviously adds greatly to the already inherent problems associated with moisture.

Materials such as bricks and blocks should be protected from wetting by storing in a dry covered area. Even in favourable conditions drying out can take a long time - a rough estimate is one week of good drying conditions for each 5mm thickness of wet construction.

Site practice

Internal ventilation and heat will speed up the drying process. Dehumidifiers can be used in very bad conditions. Ventilation is particularly important and is often neglected - without it, heating may aggravate the problem causing condensation on cold surfaces. Solid fuel appliances or other heaters vented to the outside normally provide good ventilation but with electric and central heating, windows have to be kept open. Portable oil or gas heaters produce additional moisture and unless provided with a means of exhausting combustable fumes outside the building they should not be used for drying out. When artificial heating is used to assist drying out, excessive heat should be avoided as it may cause undue shrinkage of wood and cracking of plaster as well as preventing proper hydration of some types of plaster.