Drying bricks in cold weather

[smorgasBored3]

Been using a space heater to dry bricks at my mom's house but I'm wondering if there's a better way to save time and money. I don't use additives like dura-lube, I believe they can cause problems later on. Heard about heated blankets that keep masonry from freezing but haven't tried them yet. What do you guys suggest for faster drying without breaking the bank?

 

[pitchblackvoid]

Using a space heater is a good start but heated blankets could save you time and energy. They keep bricks warm and dry without guzzling electricity like a heater. If youre looking to pinch pennies insulating the area with tarps or foam boards can also help trap heat and speed up drying. Keep us posted here.

 

[Spectacles.Tom]

I agree with @pitchblackvoid another way to speed up drying without going crazy on costs is using a dehumidifier in a closed space, helps pull out moisture quicker. just make sure to keep the heat low and gradual, cos too much too fast can lead to cracking.

 

[BLK153]

Using a space heater is a good start but heated blankets could save you time and energy. They keep bricks warm and dry without guzzling electricity like a heater. If youre looking to pinch pennies insulating the area with tarps or foam boards can also help trap heat and speed up drying. Keep us posted here.

+1 on the heated blankets. If you have time even air-drying is completely fine, but we don't have the luxury of time always, do we? So just use a heated blanket, leave the bricks out in even spaces. Then it should be good!

 

[smorgasBored3]

Using a space heater is a good start but heated blankets could save you time and energy. They keep bricks warm and dry without guzzling electricity like a heater. If youre looking to pinch pennies insulating the area with tarps or foam boards can also help trap heat and speed up drying. Keep us posted here.

Thanks for suggesting heated blankets and insulating with tarps or foam boards! I'll give those a try since saving electricity and speeding things up is right up my alley. I'll share updates once I test it out.

 

[smorgasBored3]

I agree with @pitchblackvoid another way to speed up drying without going crazy on costs is using a dehumidifier in a closed space, helps pull out moisture quicker. just make sure to keep the heat low and gradual, cos too much too fast can lead to cracking.

Good call on the dehumidifier and gradual heating (hadn't thought of that). Cracking is the last thing I want so I'll keep it steady. Appreciate the advice.

 

[smorgasBored3]

+1 on the heated blankets. If you have time even air-drying is completely fine, but we don't have the luxury of time always, do we? So just use a heated blanket, leave the bricks out in even spaces. Then it should be good!

True, air drying works if patience is on your side, but time isn't always on mine! Thanks for the tip!

 

[bear pickles]

Using a space heater to dry bricks is effective but can be a huge drain on your electricity bill and might not even be the best method for the brick itself. So... for your current situation, ditch the space heater. Focus on getting a couple of powerful fans and if your budget allows, a good dehumidifier. This combination will give you a much better return on your electric costs and will have your bricks ready to go in a much shorter time.

 

[smorgasBored3]

I've been using a space heater and dehumidifier combo but I'm watching the electric bill climb faster than the bricks dry. To ditch the direct heat and focus just on fans with the dehumidifier is a new angle for me. I might try adding powerful fans next and reducing the use of the space heater. Do you find certain fan types work better for brick drying or is it more about placement?