Garage Ventilation

[72Orange]

Hello. I have a single car garage that houses an old musclecar. Unfortunately it eminates some fumes. The garage is directly below a hallway and two bedrooms and gas fumes come into the house. My wife is starting to complain.

I am considering THIS fan. Anyone aware of any alternatives? This one is out of stock for a few months.

Thanks

 

[rt66jt]

I'd think the first step would be to determine why a parked car is emitting fumes.

 

[wilbilt]

I'd think the first step would be to determine why a parked car is emitting fumes.

Ditto that. Most garages are required to be ventilated due to this issue. Most always this is passive ventilation via stemwall vents.

If you are getting gas (fuel) fumes upstairs, there is an issue with the vehicle.

 

[bmwpower]

..And if the fumes are concentrated enough, kicking on that fan *could* ignite the vapors. Not probable, I know, but it's not an explosion proof fan.

 

[wilbilt]

Are there any vents currently in the garage walls, etc.?

 

[72Orange]

Are there any vents currently in the garage walls, etc.?

No there are no vents whatsoever. Also, there are no fuel leaks from the car. I do have stainless braided fuel hoses and -an fittings from stem to stern and have heard from other people that they do cause fuel odor. I don't know if there's any truth to that, but like I said, there are no fuel leaks.

Before I went and installed a fan I was also thinking about putting in a vent and seeing if that helped. Do you think it might?

 

[wilbilt]

Before I went and installed a fan I was also thinking about putting in a vent and seeing if that helped. Do you think it might?

Attached garages usually have vents low in the wall on opposite walls. Since fuel vapors are heavier than air, they tend to settle toward the bottom of the space, and the cross-ventilation provided by the vents helps eliminate them.

I would be seriously concerned if you are smelling fuel upstairs. A single vent in the garage wall would not do it, as basically there needs to be an intake and an exhaust, depending on which way the wind is blowing, etc.

My brother-in-law had a VW-powered trike stored on my property for some time. It was in a "toy hauler" type trailer. He would always shut the trailer up tight, but I was concerned because the fumes would build up.

I would go out and open the side windows a crack and raise the roof vent an inch or so, just to get some airflow to extract the fumes.

 

[ultgar]

With some of the larger homes now including subterranean garages, ventilation becomes a very important issue.

Never put the garage on the same central A/C or heating (unless you're using a hydronic system) as the rest of the house.

 

[Inetmonkey]

With some of the larger homes now including subterranean garages, ventilation becomes a very important issue.

Never put the garage on the same central A/C or heating (unless you're using a hydronic system) as the rest of the house.

I'm no ventilation expert, but some simple static vents in the base of the walls would be easy to install and probably enough to get a little airflow moving through what sounds like a sealed-tight garage.

On a side note, Ultgar, do you have pics of the rest of the floor plan that goes with that house? I dunno where it is, but the basement looks like it goes to a dream-home mansion!

 

[ultgar]

I'm no ventilation expert, but some simple static vents in the base of the walls would be easy to install and probably enough to get a little airflow moving through what sounds like a sealed-tight garage.

On a side note, Ultgar, do you have pics of the rest of the floor plan that goes with that house? I dunno where it is, but the basement looks like it goes to a dream-home mansion!

The plans must have been upwards of 100 pages on this one. The house and property will cost well into 8 figures....12 1/2 acres with ocean views. House is pretty "loaded"....has its own stables, lake and waterfalls, guest house, pools, tennis court, vineyard and orchard, 2-hole golf course......and if I can help it, a pretty nice garage and workshop . SD

 

[wilbilt]

The maid's quarters is larger than the workshop.