Damp Floor in the spring

[11555wally]

I have a 26 x 32 metal pole barn with about 6" of insulation in the ceiling as well as 1" foam panels for the ceiling. Only have about 2" of insultation in the sidewalls. My problem is in the spring when the first few day of warmer weather come the floor get very damp. All of my tools and the bottom of my car are just covered in water. I just read in an old car magazine that if you don't have a vapor barrier under the concrete (I don't) consider a urethane or epoxy coating on the floor to stop the condensation. Will this help with the problem? What products are available? Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[Armorpoxy]

It sounds like this is not a vapor transmission problem but a condensation problem of the warmer/ humid air condensing on the cool floor. A building that is too tight could trap moisture and then it condenses when the dew point hits.

Perhaps a good wall fan on a humidistat (instead of a thermostat) would work wonders?

 

[11555wally]

Amorpoxy, do you mean a wall fan blowing to the outside or just moving the air around on the inside? I will try anything. I have the same problem with condensation in my attached garage but to a lesser degree. I do put a fan on the floor sometimes after the floor is already wet to try and dry it out. I even use a squirrel cage blower from a furnace to dry it out but it takes days. Colder weather is the best remedy when it gets wet. Thanks for your reply

 

[b-boy]

Run a dehumidifier for a few weeks in the Spring?

 

[Armorpoxy]

We would tea a wall fan and hopefully an open window on the opposite side for cross ventilation. The humidity and moisture needs to not accumulate. It’s worth a shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

There are HVLS Fans available for hobby shops that do a great job stirring up the air.
Google these on-line.

 

[11555wally]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I think I will try and find a ceiling fan and a dehumidifier. My ceiling is only 8 feet high and one of those large fans require more height but if I can get a 4 or 5 foot dia fan I think that should work. I can predict a little in advance when I will start getting the condesation so I wouldn't have to run the fan and dehumidifier all year. Thanks again.

 

[11555wally]

Early spring update. I installed about a 48" ceiling fan and have it run most of the time when it gets above freezing. I also have one small window open. About a month ago I bought a 70 pint dehumidifier and run that when the temperature is above 45 degrees and so far I have not had any condensation at all. Let's hope it stays this way. I probably just keep an eye on the humidity this summer and use it as needed. It sure is a welcome change. Thank you all for the ideas.