Condensation in Garage

[Sarin]

Hello everyone. New here, joined in hopes you can help with a sight issue.

We have a 2 car detached garage. One side of the garage has been converted into a separate finished room. The other side is your average unfinished garage. This spring's project is gutting and re-doing the actual garage side. However, between the two rooms there is a lot of condensation forming on that wall. The finished room is heated during the winter and I am assuming this is what is causing the condensation. We cannot afford to heat the other side of the garage and the finished room must remain heated as we keep animals in that room during the winter. We do not use the garage for vehicles at all.

I am wondering what we can install on that wall to help combat the condensation, if any. Or if you have any other suggestions.

Thank you!

 

[PAToyota]

How is the wall insulated? Just like you get condensation on a glass of ice water in the summer, the humidity in the warm air will condense on the cold wall.

 

[Sarin]

I'm quite ignorant when it comes to anything like this, so bare with me. I've attached a photo of the condensation, hope that'll help. Some spots are just plastic over the back of the other rooms drywall. Other spots have the pink insulation. The current insulation that is there is garbage, previously mouse infested and needs to be ripped out and re-done anyway.

 

[PAToyota]

That looks like just plastic over the back of the drywall - no insulation. So yes, you're going to get a pile of condensation without any insulation.

 

[Sarin]

For sure, I understand that. However, we are gutting and re-doing the garage this spring and am wondering what we can install on that wall to help with the condensation? Thank you.

 

[BuffettFan]

Plenty of insulation and a vapor barrier will be your friends.
You don't give your location, but since I see a maple leaf, I'm thinking Canadaland?

 

[great white tj]

For now try using two fans 24/7 this might help.. I keep 3 going 24/7 here in Humidity.... Sunny, Warm Fl. If I turn the fans off.. things get wet, and some times real wet. The area of my shop is 24x24 ..

 

[great white tj]

This is an old pict. but it is still unfinished..

 

[Smrtpunk]

What about running a de-humidifier? You'd have to run it on the warm side though.

 

[CraigStu]

No expert here but how about thinking of the divider wall like it's an outside wall. Since you are going to re-do the garage side, insulate that wall just like you would w/o the garage side being there. Just be careful that you put the insulation and any moisture barriers in the correct location since you will be looking at it from the wrong side.

 

[Sarin]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Sorry for not mentioning location earlier - but yes, I live in southern Ontario Canada.

 

[PAToyota]

For sure, I understand that. However, we are gutting and re-doing the garage this spring and am wondering what we can install on that wall to help with the condensation? Thank you.

Vapor barrier on the warm (humid) side of the insulation and then a proper amount of insulation. Since the garage will dip to outside temperatures when the door is open, insulate it like an exterior wall.

As for a dehumidifier, you'd have to dry out the whole house to the point that it would be uncomfortable in the winter.

 

[Showkey]

As for a dehumidifier, you'd have to dry out the whole house to the point that it would be uncomfortable in the winter.

Plus dehumidifiers only work if the air exchange rate of the building is low ( aka sealed and temperature control rooms or buildings ) and they also have low temp limits.

It would akin to trying to dehumidifiy your porch to stop your ice tea glass from sweating on a hot humid summer night.

 

[kbs2244]

If you have animals on the warm side you have moisture makers in their breath.
You are going to need dehumidifiers.
Big ones.

The only thing worse would be fish