Garage & Condensation???

[joeeng]

I have a single skin brick garage, with up and over door, upvc side door and 2 single glazed windows, 2 airbricks. my problem is during the winter months I get a lot of condensation all over my tools.

What do you think the best option is to minimise this?

Dehumidifier, Heater, Insulation, any other ideas

 

[Shox Dr]

Dehumidifier, everytime. They produce heat as a by product.

 

[ronan]

But the insulation would help too surely ? How much do dehumidifiers cost to run ?

 

[Shox Dr]

But the insulation would help too surely ? How much do dehumidifiers cost to run ?

Nowt, ive two on the go constantly in two workshops, of course they dont run continuously, but i dont see a rise in leccy consumption to when they are off.

Insulation without doubt will help, so will stopping the damp air from getting in.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Although I insulated my garage the biggest difference was when I made sure there was air movement by putting larger ventilation grids in the walls, top and bottom.

It ruins any chance of keeping the place warm but it's now dry and there is no condensation unless I make it by introducing moist heat when the temperature is low.

 

[eSCHEn]

Defo dehumidifier. I run a large domestic one 24/7 at home and it uses about forty quid a year.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Am I right in presuming with a dehumidifier you want no ventilation to the outside or you would be trying to dehumidify the world.

 

[eSCHEn]

Yep. It essentially reprocesses the air inside the space and produces water which you need to drain.

 

[Kent]

Although I insulated my garage the biggest difference was when I made sure there was air movement by putting larger ventilation grids in the walls, top and bottom.

It ruins any chance of keeping the place warm but it's now dry and there is no condensation unless I make it by introducing moist heat when the temperature is low.

yep, the only real cure for condensation is ventilation

my anvil miraculously gets wet as it first gets warm, the worst thing you could do is heat a place full of water vapour. Post 70s building regs tried to address this issue

 

[cumbriasteve]

my anvil miraculously gets wet as it first gets warm,

Nearly the same, I can go in the garage in certain weather conditions and everything is nice and dry, start working at the vice and within minutes it is dripping wet

amnmd mnmow typed without correctinmg thme erros omn my just gomne wromng kmeyboard

 

[ronan]

yep, the only real cure for condensation is ventilation

my anvil miraculously gets wet as it first gets warm,

A bit like taking the scattergun out of the cabinet/safe, i have to leave it half an hour to stop "sweating" before i can put it in the case.

 

[rikrobson]

yep, the only real cure for condensation is ventilation

not in this weather though. Its not stoped raining since Christmas

 

[slim_boy_fat]

.....and everything is nice and dry, start working at the vice and within minutes it is dripping wet.....

Sounds like you've been breathing in there.......

 

[gaz1]

the only real way is to keep your place warm and insulated otherwise its remain cold and that keeps the damp off but not much chance of that when working in there

 

[malcolm]

The reason for condensation on metal objects in the garage is they don't heat up in the morning as quickly as the air getting in so water condenses from warm air onto a cold tool.

A bit of insulation would increase the temperature of the garage as it will be warmed by the ground underneath.

I'm not sure ventilation would help much unless there was water being generated inside the garage (leaks, floor slab etc). Ventilation helps with condensation inside the house because there are significant water sources. Having said that a good air flow might help the tool warm up more quickly in the morning.

Like they said, sealing up the gaps and installing a dehumidifier should do the job.

 

[Kent]

You would need to seal it so good it was airtight. Might create s breathing issue
Proper passive homes have to be fitted with good heat recovery extraction on this very principle



Simply warm the air and the water condenses on cold surfaces
Anyone who has a double glazed entrance porch will recognise this

 

[Appyasme1]

As you guys know ,I have had an ingress of water through the cavity,put the dehumidifier on,dried out in two days.This is only putting a sticking plaster over the problem.In a garage use a dehumidifier.Dirt cheap to run.(Sorry mods was going to say "my cavity")

 

[brightspark]

its preferable to have a bit of heat to keep the air moist and have the dehumidifier on to collect it. if garage is cold it wont draw much. I can get 2 gallons a week out of my house most times

 

[ronan]

As you guys know ,I have had an ingress of water through the cavity,put the dehumidifier on,dried out in two days.This is only putting a sticking plaster over the problem.In a garage use a dehumidifier.Dirt cheap to run.(Sorry mods was going to say "my cavity")

I have a similar problem, as the guy who used to live next door decided to try to turn his garden into a premier league football stadium. To do this he leveled off the garden and added soil, making his garden higher than ours and when it rains the water runs in and seeps through the cavity blocks at the bottom of the one off the walls in my shed. Its not too bad but make that corner of my shed constantly damp.
Any idea's on how to seal up blockwork ?

 

[Appyasme1]

That is scarry,2 gallons means,to me ,that you must have the dehumidifier running 24/7.This is a very interesting thread,what sort of bricks do you have.I am just a learner in this subject