how the heck do I dry out my house?
 

I recently had a water leak under my driveway and under the house. Its a pier and beam setup. My house has been real damp. My shotgun rusted in my closet and my boots grew mold. My clothes feel wet too. I have put a few damp rids in the closet and bedroom but they dont seem to do much. whats the fastest way to dry up my house? I dont need mold problems. Should I leave the hear or ac on? Thanks

Do you know of any places that rent dehumifiers?

Oh, plus carpet dryers to move air under the house?

Your ac is the best dehumidifier you can use. If it is not adequate you may as Irwock says be able to rent auxiliary dehumidifiers. Crank it up.

I would start with fans, might even need to pull up some carpet.
Lots of air circulation.

Does your house have skirting or is it open around the edges?
If it's skirted, I would open it up and make sure you aren't on a big puddle, and maybe get some air moving under as well.

There is skirting but i have one side removed. I felt under there and its pretty dry now but my house is still wet. I guess I will just keep the ac running. Some nights I can hear animals under the house. I have seen a skunk go under there where the skirting is removed so I need to get that back in place as soon as I can.

You could remove all the skirting and put up chicken wire to keep critters out. You might need to anchor or trench the bottom to keep them from burrowing under it.

First, you need to address and stop the leaks. The rest is easy. Since I would guess that the house was designed in the first place to be dry. Ambient humidity should be low for several months this time of year where you're located. The Hill Country (and surrounding areas) are an arrid place much of the year. Good luck with it.

If it is dry and arid outside or at least the humidity is low get some large fans in the windows. You want it dried out sooner than later.

Heat will absorb moisture. Get the house as hot as you can get it, open the highest window or attic vent, and the lowest window. This will create excellent airflow that will remove a lot of moisture in a short time.

Rent it out to the CLKMAN's B.I.L.? He seems to have dried out that place efficiently.:eek:

Oh $h!t! :eek::D

No thank you. Although I'm sure he can cure any mold problems:eek:

Big dehumidifier, a few big fans, and crank up the heat.
~Nate

All of the above and don't wait. Humidity control is the largest part of climate control and most often misunderstood.

Mold and mildew suck and can seriously hurt you.

Don't open your windows on a humid day and your AC will probably maintain after you use the big guns to catch up.

If you see new dehumidifiers for $80 or so, grab one. It takes a significant load off of your AC when humidity creeps up. Dehumidifiers usually don't work under 65°F, by design.

If water drains under your house, fix it.