Garage ceiling condensation

[Carltoncalley]

Hey everyone, new to the forums here. I'm trying to decide on ventilation for the garage as the ceiling is getting wet. Pictures are attached. Was wondering if anyone has an opinion if I should go ridge vent, turbines, gable vent, or other? Thanks!

 

[Captain Spaulding]

What is the source of the moisture? If you put in a vent, heating and cooling are kind of pointless.

 

[Carltoncalley]

Im thinking it's from the concrete or the floor drain, it never did this until it warmed up this spring. Im not really worried about cooling it, I just wanted it warmer in the winter.

 

[yeldogt]

My guess is the garage was cold and you opened the door on a humid day --

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Im thinking it's from the concrete or the floor drain, it never did this until it warmed up this spring. Im not really worried about cooling it, I just wanted it warmer in the winter.

Putting a vent in won’t help if the moisture is from outside air, but it will make it very difficult to heat. Not much you can do about condensation from warm humid air coming in through the door when the building is cold or from introducing moisture inside from a non-vented fuel burning heater. A vent may actually make it worse since it will let humid air inside.

 

[ard]

Complete the construction. (Ie vapor barrier, Sheetrock, etc)

Condition the space.

Do you heat it now, or just let it float?


Super helpful to know you are ‘attached to the black of your house’... location matters

 

[HotrodHR]

Not knowing where your located and only going by what you said about wanting it warmer in the winter... I would (If it was my garage) pull down the insulation between the rafters (don't worry you can reuse them elsewhere. Install gable vents on both ends; you could install a ridge vent instead of gable vents. You could add turbine vents or even a thermostat controlled exhaust fan. Do all this before the next steps (because you've got a short attic). Now you should Sheetrock the ceiling. Frame up a simple access hole large enough to at least climb up and sit on your ceiling joists; now low in some insulation (easier than crawling around trying to lay insulation).

If you have soffits add vents if needed.

This should solve condensation problems, keep the attic and garage cooler in summer and warmer in the winter.

Good luck!

 

[TwoToque]

I just signed up today and also fell for the where is your garage located and answered detached in the backyard. I have since corrected that after reading the location stickies. As for the question at hand I would ridge vent to avoid roof penetrations. You have to make sure the soffits are vented as well and the opening area of the ridge vent and soffit vents should be equal to ensure proper airflow. There are premade plastic pieces that you can nail to the underside of your roof with VERY SHORT nails. These pieces direct air from the soffit to the ridge by creating about a 1 inch (I think) air gap between the roof and plastic piece. This allows you to not have to use polly and then after you finish the ceiling you can throw insulation up there.

 

[G McKay]

You never mentioned what your ceiling is made of. Is it a shingled roof? Metal roof? Etc.?

 

[u2slow]

IMO, that little bit of insulation up in the rafters isn't doing much.

I would install an actual ceiling - with VB and insulation. Then put in a ridge vent and soffit vents.