Condensation problems in workshop

[hunggaur]

hi I have a work shop that is built out of concrete blocks with insulation in the cavity and a flat roof the roof void has been filled with insulation.

The whole workshop has been lined with 9mm laminated melimine boards.

However I have started to suffer a problem with condensation on the walls, ceiling and the machines.

Should I put In additional air vents to get greater airflow or should I seal the room more to limit the amount of air flow.


If I need additional air vents should I put a couple at low level in the door and one at high level in the wall.

Cheers

Jon

 

[kinsella]

Hunggaur
Ventilation is the solution. Do you know where the moisture is coming from? I had the same problem today but there was little air movement as it wasn't too windy. The moisture in my breath was was caused it as the air wasn't moving and didn't fresh the air.

You either vent or heat, and as most people can't let the heating in a workshop on permanently, the only option i think is to vent it. If you have no ventilation at the moment, they a couple of air vent as you suggest may not do the trick. Try it and then add more if it persists.

 

[Jacob]

Depends on where the condensation is coming from. Is the floor dry? Do you have wet processes going on?
Most likely solution is to keep the temperature up with more heating and/or more insulation.
If the interior gets really cold (it sounds like it does) then you get a time lag if the outside air warms up and becomes more humid, which will then condense when brought into contact with your still cold machines, when you open the door or other ventilation.

 

[hunggaur]

Ok everything is dry as it is fully tanked is there is no moisture getting in any ware. I don't have any wet processes going on.

At the moment I have a large gap round the door and the windows are on the catch to allow ventilation trough. Am I better sealing the room up do there is less airflow and less warm/cold air gets in.

Or should I put in additional ventilation to increase the airflow

Cheers

Jon

 

[Jacob]

Easy then; zero ventilation when you aren't in the building (which will also keep the temperature up a bit) , just enough ventilation when you are in, and more heat if possible

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Check you haven't any leaks in the roof or blocked gutters/downpipes that any water is tracking from. Flat roofs are the work of the devil.

 

[graduate_owner]

A cheapish solution might be to get a dehumidifier and leave it on overnight.

K

 

[PAC1]

Surely the problem is the melamine. It is the equivalent of covering the room in polythene. With plywood, osb or plasterboard the moisture can be absorbed and then released on warm days. whereas the moisture hits the colder impermeable melamine and condenses. Increasing the airflow might help but it might make it worse as you can bring in more moist air to condensate on your walls.

 

[DennisCA]

Heating the shop to 10C should take care of your problems.

 

[Spindle]

Hi

It sounds like you have a well insulated space so my first suggestion would be to put in some background heating - just enough to raise the internal temperature above that outside, you will also be able to turn it up when working on cold days.

If you don't want to heat you will need to ventilate.

Not sure how a de-humidifier compares power usage wise with background heating.

Gulp - just checked the power consumption of a desiccant dehumidifier mentioned in another thread - 650W

Regards Mick

 

[graduate_owner]

You can adjust dehumidifier to give the desired level of 'dryness', and then they cut out - similar to a thermostat - so after the initial drying out it might not be running constantly. I don't know how you could compare the running cost with cost of heating though, plus heating would have the advantage of making the workshop feel more pleasant (although feeling dryer might also be more pleasant).

K

 

[Jacob]

Heating the shop to 10C should take care of your problems.

Yes. Plus close down all ventilation when there is no-one in. Saves heat and keeps out humid air - assuming the humidity is not from a source within the building

 

[DennisCA]

I always have two vents a little bit open even when it was -30C a few weeks ago, but I drag snow in and store lumber in racks near the ceiling so lots of sources for moisture.

 

[Soylent1]

Check you haven't any leaks in the roof or blocked gutters/downpipes that any water is tracking from.

Flat roofs are the work of the devil.

=D> =D> =D> Totally agree!

 

[heimlaga]

Check you haven't any leaks in the roof or blocked gutters/downpipes that any water is tracking from.

Flat roofs are the work of the devil.

=D> =D> =D> Totally agree!

I am in doubt.....not even the devil can be THAT evil........ flat roofs have to be the work of human stupidity.