Moisture Problem in Old Garage

Bull · Dec 3, 2009

I took a sagging, open, busted-up floor of a garage and put a small amount of money into making it a more usable space. Framed an attic storage space, removed the concrete floor and put down gravel, then some plastic, then some 3/4" shoulder stone, installed an insulated garage door and two new windows. Now, I have a moisture problem in there. I was in the attic today, moving stuff there from my basement. I noticed some green mold along the rafters. Ok, not cool. I then noticed that a straw hat that I have had hanging on a nail on the wall since August was covered in green fuzzy mold Not cool!

There is no power out there, so no heat and no chance of running a dehumidifier. Is there anything I can do to help the issue? The space is also uninsulated, except for the garage door and windows. These are all "on the list" but just aren't happening now. I would like to be able to store things made of fabric and tupperware boxes full of papers out there, but the moisture is just going to ruin stuff. :headscrat

e-tek · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Moisture Problem is Old Garage

Air movement!!! First thing I'd say is get a fan, but until you get power, Cut holes in the gable ends and cover with screens/vents. And/or under soffits. Or leave the windows wide open (depending what's in there!).
Moisture increases when the air is still.

goodfellow · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Moisture Problem is Old Garage

Should have left the concrete Bull. The moisture is wicking up through your floor (even with the plastic and gravel) -- that can add up to several gallons of water per day making it's way up through the rafters. Open up the rafters and create a draft -- that will reduce the mold, but don't store any equipment in that place.

travisd · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Moisture Problem is Old Garage

Solar powered attic fan?

Kevin54 · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Moisture Problem is Old Garage

If it is crushed limestone it will pull moisture.
If you want to store items, I'd get some of the plastic totes with the snap on lids (NOT Snap-on LOL!!!) from WallyWorld and store items in them.

walrus · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Moisture Problem is Old Garage

Need vents, soffit vents, roof vent,eave vents whatever you can get in there

porphyre · Dec 3, 2009

Re: Moisture Problem is Old Garage

Depending on how much stuff you want to store/work you want to do, you could frame off a small room in the attic, add a door, seal it with moisture barrier, then put a big bucket of dessicant in the center. Store the papers there.

Otherwise, I like the idea of vents and a solar powered fan.

Bull · Dec 3, 2009

Thanks for the replies, guys. Vents seem simple enough. Well, not when you have ten too many projects already, but I can peck away at adding them in a few places.

I think a couple of "before" pics will explain why I did not keep the concrete.

e-tek · Dec 3, 2009

I remember you showing us this building when you took out the crete. Boy that was a job!

On a another note - GOODFELLOW IS BACK!!!!!! Yeee-haaa!

willymakeit · Dec 3, 2009

Do the venting ect. How soon after the concrete was placed did you start using it as storage ? It can take several weeks for the concrete to quit releasing moisture during the curing process. That is one of the reasons when floors are going to be installed over new concrete ,a cholride test is required for moisture content. This is usally needed even with cure and seals.

rieferman · Dec 4, 2009

I'm surprised at the moisture given that you put plastic down, and that the building isn't tight I'm guessing. Vents is the easiest way to start (or open a window a crack and test the theory)

rodnok1 · Dec 4, 2009

Look at the walls...there was a moisture problem before. Buy a roll of out outside wire and make a really long cord and put a fan somewhere on a timer, spray some bleach water around to kill the mold.Definitely put some sort of vents in.

Bull · Dec 4, 2009

I'm not sure there was a moisture problem before. The loft/attic space was full of old barn wood and farming stuff. It was very, very dry and dusty up there.

Bob, I thought the plastic would help, too, although I admit I only went with one layer of like 6mil and did not tape seams. I would have doubled up but that stuff is not cheap and I only had enough left for one layer. If I was really loaded I would have put down some of those rigid foam insulating panels.

rodnok1 · Dec 4, 2009

I was looking at the walls, looks like at of water has seeped through over the years.

35mastr · Dec 4, 2009

Air movement is your only option at this point.

Why are the walls so water stained? Does the siding leak that bad??

Was there a tree where that concrete lifted in that back corner or is your water table really that high??

Bull · Dec 4, 2009

Heavy clay soil here retains water like a sponge. I could start a brick factory...the clay is crazy. There are trees near the garage, but a combination of factors did that old slab in.

As for the siding, I do not believe that they leak. I have never noticed water on the inside of the walls since I started using the space in '97. The siding is tongue-and-groove, so there is little chance for water infiltration. I don't know why it is stained. For all I know, the garage might have been built with reclaimed siding at some point in the distant past...sadly my grandfather died many years before I was a man and so I cannot ask him these questions.

Moisture Problem in Old Garage

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