condensation

[adzeman]

Neil. take Mike Garnham's advice its sound. I am not anti dehumidifiers I use and order new ones daily.
In your case it would be a waste of money, time and effort.

Take walk round an industrial estate look for a change of tenant If they had an office in the main shed there will probably have had some form of air management and the builders for the new tenant will probably throwing it out. Ask them for it, get it tested and install, but at least follow Mikes advice.

 

[pooka]

I think the info in the following page has been covered already, but it might make for an interesting read nonetheless:

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/condensation.htm

I've been looking into this issue a lot recently as my house has developed a condensation, and subsequently mould, problem. Everything that I have read supports a lot of what has been said here, which is that the issue can be tackled by finding the right balance of heating and ventilation.

Even with double-glazing you can have problems, including condensation on the windows themselves (speaking from personal experience here, unfortunately), if the balance isn't right.

 

[neilyweely]

Adzeman and pooka

Thanks a lot guys. Truth is Mike G has helped me out so many times now I ALWAYS take his advice!!

Will go for a stroll round the industrial areas next door!! Thanks a lot

neil

 

[ivan]

Please don't spend any money or do any work till you have bought a humidity meter. A battery job reads to +/- 5% and will cost about 15 quid, maybe less. It will save your tools!

Steel will rust when the relative humidity is 70%+ (the meter reads relative humidiy in %, no need for calculations). A good target for the workshop is between 50 and 60%.

Condensation on windows: May or may not be a problem - depends what the meter reads. For example, here in Devon we need a dehumidifier indoors to stop mould in the back of wadrobes etc. Ours keeps the house at about 55% relative humidity (ie rust free!) but there is still condensation on double glased windows when the outdoor temp is around freezing.

Ventilation: Fresh air usually causes a problem, as in UK average relative humidity outdoors is about 75% quite enough to cause rusting!

Over time in an unused but insulated shed the relative humidity will approach that of outdoors. The insulation will help prevent rapid temperature change and thus prevent dripping wet condensation on machines, but tools can still rust as humidity over 70% for most of year. The hot breath of excited woodworkers in action behind closed doors will of course raise the relative humidity still further.

To lower relative humidity you can:

1/ make sure there's no unwanted moisture around - as someone said , has the floor a damp course? sealed?
2/ permanently run a low level heater to keep meter reading 50% to 60%
3/ Cheaper by far, run a dehumidifier, which can also condition your timber

 

[artie]

Neil,

this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....8&category=122909&ssPageName=mem_guide:5&rd=1

is the sort of thing.....£17 plus P&P.

I am not familiar with this particular one, but its the right sort of product.

It should soon sort your problem out.

Mike

Mike this link is gone now.

Any chance of an up to date one .?