My (downstairs) bathroom always goes mouldy over the winter months and condensation forms on the bottom of the outward facing walls. I have a reasonable extractor but I was thinking of installing a dehumidifier. However, there is no suitable plug socket.

Would it be acceptable to splice into the wiring for the extractor fan and use some trunking to bring the dehumidifier cable to it. The dehumidifier would be wall mounted with a constant drain. It will be well away from any 'splash' dangers but it does get steamy in there .

Any help much appreciated before I fork out any cash.

Thanks

Joe.

Portable one would be simpler and you could use it elsewhere in the house when needed and wouldn't need checking but a qualified sparky

Probably not wise unless it's a small one, they can take a decent amount of current, after all they are really just an air conditioning unit set on cold all the time..

Dan

People die in bathrooms from incorrect wiring. That is why section 7 of the IEE regs is so specific about zones within a bathroom and the use of RCD's.
Apart from breaking the Part P regs which can be a £5000 fine or prison, if you are asking the question, then you need to get someone in to do the job.
Sorry, but that is my best advice. I'm a spark by the way with 2391 testing and inspection quals

Cheers gents. Top advice as usual. I like the portable idea. Might get professional advice on a fitted system as well though.

Seems you may have a cold bridge problem in the construction of your building.


Sticking a dehumidifier in will help but surely you should sort the insulation and ventilation first.

As for sticking electricity in to a bathroom the regs 17 edition is quite clear........dont go there...

Get a pro in

More ventilation and insulation --- perhaps thermal plasterboard.

Insulation may be difficult. The bathroom is just an afterthought tacked on to the end of the kitchen. The roof is insulated and I can't really do anything about the walls. They are just brick and plaster. I'm going to fit a better extractor with a humidistat and see if that helps.

What's a cold bridge problem?

Cheers. Joe.

Normally houses are built with a cavity wall so that the dew point (the temperature at which condensation forms) occurs in the cavity air space.

If you don't have a cavity the dew point can occur in the inner fabric of wall ie you get condensation on or in the plaster.