Garage built in hillside sweating

[ultrarunner]

This type of construction is very common in Austria... everything electrical is wet rated including the light fixtures.

Never noticed a lot of sweating... but, they go to great lengths with styrofoam board insulation, plastic, mastic, gravel french drains... etc... bunker is a good description.

 

[ultrarunner]

This type of construction is very common in Austria... everything electrical is wet rated including the light fixtures.

Never noticed a lot of sweating... but, they go to great lengths with styrofoam board insulation, plastic, mastic, gravel french drains... etc... bunker is a good description.

 

[rickyb01]

I'm wondering if I can stud the walls and ceiling and add insulation then cover that with tin. Would that stop the sweating?

 

[ch1ch2]

Concrete is porous, dirt is porous. Are you sure it is condensation and not seepage? Maybe both?

 

[rickyb01]

I only got to look once but what I saw was no condensation on walls but a lot on metal ceiling. It was equally spaced out so not 100% it's condensation but really think it is.

 

[Billrog]

Ricky The best use would be a root house after reading all the comments and knowing from my own experience that others have had I think there is no easy method & you would mainly be beating your head against the wall.

 

[Deere Dude]

This type of construction is very common in Austria... everything electrical is wet rated including the light fixtures.

Never noticed a lot of sweating... but, they go to great lengths with styrofoam board insulation, plastic, mastic, gravel french drains... etc... bunker is a good description.

X2 Blue board is cheap if you can use a building productively after the install. Plus you can heat it after insulation in, otherwise forget it.

 

[bcp]

From:
Underground Homes ? Good or Bad? | Monolithic Dome Institute

The only answer is to have enough insulation so that the interior surface temperature of the walls equals the temperature of the air inside the house. Three inches of urethane or six inches of Styrofoam should be used. And even with super-insulated walls, it's sometimes necessary to dehumidify.


Bruce

 

[Boiler74]

Maybe replace the barn doors with decently sealed insulated doors. Don't fight the cool, encourage it. Then be mindful of opening and closing the door.... Don't leave open long, etc.

 

[rickyb01]

Our offer was accepted so it looks like after 30 days home should be mine. It does have electricity ran to it. I'm going to insulate the top where the metal is and redo the opening in the front. I think a insulated single garage door and metal 36" door will work to get a better seal. I'm going to see if that will work and if not I will add a dehumidifier to run 24/7. Hate not to use the space as a storage facility but if all else fails it will just be a hole in the ground. Thanks Ricky

 

[ruffdog]

Sounds like a plan. There are many boat houses like that around here that are 3/4 in ground with a deck on top.

 

[ultrarunner]

Wine or root cellar... lots of uses for extra space.

My cousin has a similar room to store her cheese wheels.

 

[rickyb01]

Looks like I can tack weld some metal studs to the ceiling and but 4" of XPS blue foam board up. I may just leave the foam up or cover with 26ga metal. You guys are right on the blue board being expensive. A 2" sheet of 4x8 is 35.00 but I think it's at least worth trying. I was able to get another look at bomb shelter and the front is frame with added rock for looks. I'm going to redo this with 1" cypress and add a insulated garage door. It will be a while but I will show pics when I'm done. Thanks for all the reply's. Ricky

 

[Billrog]

Ricky sounds like you have a plan but personally I think metal studs are not the answer as they will transfer the cold straight to the surface and condensation all over again along each stud.I would dry out the building and just glue it on with the proper adhesive for Styrofoam.

 

[rickyb01]

Billrog you are correct. I discovered that this morning as I was thinking about how to attach the studs. I got lucky also when a friend of mine told me he could help me out on having it spay foamed. Thanks for replying Ricky

 

[Howling]

Also think about the floor. If the concrete slab is not insulated from the ground it will stay cool damp from condensation. I have interlocking foam tiles in my shop. Stops most of the condensation and gives better surface to stand and work on. Pull up sections when I bring in something heavy to work on

 

[brown40]

Double bubble foil insulation would be the fastest, easiest vapor and radiant barrier to install, and no drilling required.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I think spraying foam on walls and ceiling is probably your best bet in the long term to make it as reasonably dry storage for equipment as possible.

Cheaper than replicating the storage space with a new building.

 

[ruffdog]

We are getting a blast of warm humid air today and the aprons outside the doors are sweating and even the concrete drive is sweating. I'm sure not going to open the doors to the building.

 

[tommu56]

You can core drill through roof for the vent, and put fan on it.
You need an inlet for the air to come in core drill another hole opposite it and plumb it down to close to he floor for the air to come in .

Tom