Damp problem at work

[chunkolini]

New workshop is horrendously damp, this morning everything is covered in dew, lovely.
I can now see the beginning of mould gardens all over the plaster boarded ceiling.
it is a converted cattle shed. A great space to work in and has plenty of natural light.
I have just looked at dehumidifiers on fleabay and they are not too expensive. I doubt I can get one put of my landlord as I am paying a very small rent.
Space is 16x6m with a 5m ceiling insulated that is shuttered off from another uninsulated 6m on the end with a roller door.
Any thoughts regard the size of dehumidifier I need?

 

[octo0072000]

big industrial one by the sound of it, not using LPG for heating are you ?
two here for you free delivery used not new

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EBAC-BD70-INDUSTRIAL-DEHUMIDIFIER-GOOD-CONDITION/111867147298?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140122125356&meid=7d860ba24b844452a7e850d1b1a6f2f9&pid=100005&rk=3&rkt=6&sd=172048686084

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BARGAIN-B...686084?hash=item280ee69c04:g:uIcAAOSwqv9V6xcf

 

[pedrobedro]

Can you put some vents in and just move the air round with a fan ?

 

[the artfull-codger]

It's because it's so warm outside & our machinery is cold it won't warm up quickly enough so the warm air condenses on it [damn nuisance]

 

[chunkolini]

No heating at all going on, vents? the building is not any where near airtight, the insulation was installed to allow air to circulate.
I think a dehumidifier is the only solution.
Octo' I have both of those on ym watch list, they lookabout the right capacity. it is amazing how quickly you can find things out on the internet.
I am skint for a few days but am hoping to get paid any day now. this needs sorting out.

 

[octo0072000]

No heating at all going on, vents? the building is not any where near airtight, the insulation was installed to allow air to circulate.
I think a dehumidifier is the only solution.
Octo' I have both of those on ym watch list, they lookabout the right capacity. it is amazing how quickly you can find things out on the internet.
I am skint for a few days but am hoping to get paid any day now. this needs sorting out.

i would agree on the size should help they also produce a little bit of heat due to the freeze and defrost cycle best of luck Chunko O dark one

 

[brewdexta]

if it has plenty of ventilation then you will be dehumidifying Wales, a bit like having air con on and the sunroof open

 

[Kent]

plaster boards will be no good soon if they aren't already. I take we are talking dry not finished? replace them with ply

 

[chunkolini]

I am lumbered with plaster board, maybe long term it can go but for now stuck with it.
I will just have to see how I get on.
A bit concerned here.

 

[octo0072000]

get some paint on the plaster board cheap emulsion anything to seal it acts like a sponge

 

[chunkolini]

Good idea, as soon as solvency reappears I will get that sorted.
Just bog standard emulsion?

 

[Bullet2012]

What about the floor, is it still the original cowshed concrete ? Had real damp issues in our workshop, as it had an old concrete floor, history and quality of floor Unknown.We ended up putting a "plastic" Tile floor in, this almost completely eradicated the damp and condensation. The workshop is a timber and steel construction lined with plasterboard and mostly uninsulated, it also has lots of draughts.

 

[octo0072000]

Good idea, as soon as solvency reappears I will get that sorted.
Just bog standard emulsion?

Matt emulsion not silk or gloss so the plaster board can breathe just cheap trade stuff buy it in 5 gallon buckets
and a extending roller

http://www.amazon.co.uk/TELESCOPIC-LONG-REACH-PAINT-ROLLER/dp/B00DHFXXH2

 

[chunkolini]

it is original cowshed concrete, sounds a bit like what you describe.
Mine is steel and block, with just a thin steel skin from about 3m on the outside wall and possibly asbestos or similar roof.
At the moment skint here. Looking to survive the winter and then sort it properly when funds allow.
There is no sign of where the damp is coming from, it seems atmospheric.
Shot of the inside

First shot looking into the insulated area

Then looking towards the roller door

 

[bletchmonster]

It's because it's so warm outside & our machinery is cold it won't warm up quickly enough so the warm air condenses on it [damn nuisance]

I agree with codger. The temp is so up and down at moment its a nightmare.
Everytime it warms up all my machinery gets some damm awful tropical disease. Sweat pouring off em. Almost better to keep everything closed up when it warms up, keep the warm moist air out!

 

[brightspark]

ive been in my garage the last full week all gear sprayed with wd 40 no problem just went in half hour ago aned theres a white film all over the machines . condensation wiped em all down and re sprayed them

 

[daleyd]

ive been in my garage the last full week all gear sprayed with wd 40 no problem just went in half hour ago aned theres a white film all over the machines . condensation wiped em all down and re sprayed them

Yeah I noticed the same in my garage today, everything was covered in a damp film (even more than usual, I do get some damp in there but today seemed particularly bad. Assume it's the weather as said above?)

 

[chunkolini]

I have been playing WD40 fairy for a while.

 

[steviec_lj]

Not really helpful, but on the "old cow shed" side of things.

Our kennels are an old cow shed / bullock run. Don't suffer with damp at all to be honest. Roof/ceiling isn't insulated though, but the gable ends are. Walls are standard breeze blocks, into steel frame, painted with standard emulsion internally and epoxy outside.

Just done another old "shed" out, as a workshop, levelled the floor etc, and again, no damp issues other than what was there previously. One end of the building is around 3ft "underground" so wicks a bit of water out of the ground.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I was going to suggest PVA to seal it