11 replies to this topic

[less is more]

Hi all long time no post, but here we go.....
I have a very damp garage approx' 34' x 15' with tin roof, and I'm suffering with condensation a lot, its that bad the garage floor is wet through with the constant dripping would a dehumidifier work in this environment at today's temperatures, the poor mini is wet, and I'm afraid to start any body work as the little bits I have cleaned back are now rusty.
Do these things work in winter, with no heating?

Thanks in advance
Andy

Edited by less is more, 16 January 2011 - 11:47 AM.

[mister bridger]

The worst thing about your garage is the tin roof. These things cause terrible condensation. Rather than tackling the symptom you would be better off if you can replace the roof sheets with ply and roofing felt, with some polystyrene insulation stuck to underside for good measure.

[M44K TS]

If it's as damp as you say, then I doubt a dehumidifier would work, you might need a large space heater to try and dry it out.

[less is more]

The worst thing about your garage is the tin roof. These things cause terrible condensation. Rather than tackling the symptom you would be better off if you can replace the roof sheets with ply and roofing felt, with some polystyrene insulation stuck to underside for good measure.

That's on the "list to do jobs" this year actually, but do you think the dehumidifier will be up to the job come next winter, with a new roof? I've got a Clark air CA900 that i use in our business for summer as its also a air cooler, is looks up to the job but no mention in the instructions of minimum temp'

Regards
Andy

[less is more]

If it's as damp as you say, then I doubt a dehumidifier would work, you might need a large space heater to try and dry it out.

Done that but back to square one when it's turned off, cant afford to heat the garage as well as the house
Thanks
Andy

[andy159]

If it's as damp as you say, then I doubt a dehumidifier would work, you might need a large space heater to try and dry it out.

Done that but back to square one when it's turned off, cant afford to heat the garage as well as the house
Thanks
Andy

move the car into the house and the family into the garage as they wont rust lmao

[Bungle]

insulation and ventilation is what you need

insulate the roof and a vent at each end of the garage

[AVV IT]

There are a number of problems with using a dehumidifier in that situation. Firstly they work by reducing air humidity in a given space, they are therefore are only particularly effective if the room is more or less sealed in order to do this (i.e a well insulated room with all windows & doors closed etc). If you use them in an draughty & almost outdoor space like a garage, then new damp outside air will continue to flow into the garage space as fast as you dry the existing moist air out. Dehumidifiers do not work particularly well in the cold either, as there is insufficient warmth for the problem condensation to evaporate into the air and be processed by the dehumidifier. In order to use one effectively in a garage you would also have to heat the space whilst running the dehumidifier. Which would be OK if you were just looking to dry out your garage as a one off, (having already rectified the cause of the condensation problem first), but as a permanent measure in order to manage the condensation it would become very expensive. In short as others have said you really need to address the problems (i.e ventilation & insulation etc.) & not the symptoms.

[mattdc2r]

I too have a tin roof and exactly the same problem. Unfortunately the garage is rented, so I can't change the roof. Is there an kind of spray the at can be applied that'll help. I was thinking of claning it and the just spraying on that expanding foam stuff. Was then going to fit an old carpet to much of the garage, to stop cold air coming up through the ground.

Could this work???

[AVV IT]

I too have a tin roof and exactly the same problem. Unfortunately the garage is rented, so I can't change the roof. Is there an kind of spray the at can be applied that'll help. I was thinking of claning it and the just spraying on that expanding foam stuff. Was then going to fit an old carpet to much of the garage, to stop cold air coming up through the ground.

Could this work???

I wouldn't use the carpet idea if you have a condensation problem, as it will probably just absorb the moisture & make the problem worse. You would probably be better to seal the garage floor with a purpose made garage floor sealant paint, or even just a PVA solution instead to try & lock out any damp coming through the floor. In reality this probably won't make too much of a difference because the problem is usually damp cold air getting trapped inside your garage & that it cannot escape due to poor ventilation. The tin roof being solid metal does not allow any flow of air out and being an external cold surface at the top of the building it also attracts condensation. Lining the inside of the roof with sheets of polystyrene insulation may help, but without better ventilation its effects would be rather limited. Can you not approach the owner to ask for permission to install some ventilation? If you are actually improving a building then most landlords are often OK with that sort of thing, so long as the work is done properly. If it's a council owned garage, then I'd be tempted to not tell them & just do it anyway, as I doubt they would even notice & even if they did you could always claim that you knew nothing about it! (oops!! am I allowed to suggest that sort of thing?....probably not!! )

Edited by AVV IT, 16 January 2011 - 02:04 PM.

[Danny_California]

I have this problem aswell, and as above it's compounded by the fact that it's a rented (student) house! It's driving me up the wall, and during all this rain lately I found a huge pool of water in one corner that had soaked a lot of my tools > I spoke to the guy who came to fix our outside stairs and he said his did the same and that he painted some stuff on the tin to stop it from dripping water. Trouble was he said that it cost over £200 to sort it out! Since it's rented aswell, I'm not gonna be here forever and I dont want to spend my money doing up his house for him lol

[grumpy2]

I have an EBAC de-humidifier in my garage, used it for the last 10 years. In that time I've had no problems at all with damp. Defore that I had loads of trouble, rusting tools and water vapour condensing on any metal surface. If I switch it off then he problems return. Ileave it on from October to April

cheers

G