Humidity control: what to do first?

[Rusty Pilot]

I'm in NE Indiana (in the middle of this heatwave) and my barn has not handled humidity very well. The floor condenses like crazy. After fixing a separate issue this past month, I noticed the barn doesn't have a vapor barrier or even a tyvek house wrap. It's literally exterior metal then insulation. I'm assuming that is the source of my problem.

My wall now:


Being in Indiana, I see stupid hot weather and stupid cold weather (and sometimes in the same day). I'm assuming a vapor barrier in my case should be on the inside (interior wall, vapor barrier, insulation, exterior metal) as I do heat it in the winter. Is the house wrap worth it?

I do have 3 wall mounted oscillating fans to help move air. What makes it tricky is the I have an interior wall that separates the front to the main garage area. I'm not really sure what to expect when I remove the plywood or paneled walls. This issue makes the house wrap more appealing since the exterior panels need to come off rather than working around an interior wall and attic. (Not really sure how to slip the vapor barrier through the interior wall)



(Pardon the mess. Working on building a workbench and purging things at the same time)

In your opinion, what should I do first? Any contractors you would recommend in the NE IN/NW OH/S MI area?

Is double bubble useful? I have a source that will give quite a lot of it.

 

[BillK]

How large is this building ?

 

[mikedodge]

Is there any ventilation to outside? If you're sealed well you'll still have humidity problems if there's a lack of ventilation and the fans only move around air that's already there. I need to run a dehumidifier to keep mine under control.

 

[Dagny]

You need to raise the temperature of the floor above the dew point or get the moisture out of the air with dehumidification.

 

[zimman]

Ventilation. Lot's of it.
Zim

 

[AC-WC]

I don't believe housewrap would help your current situation. Since the sheet metal is already up that's a ton of work to remove just for housewrap. Short of removing all your paneling I don't know of another way to install the vapor barrier to the interior.

I have the same condition in this weather as you. The floor is cold compared to the air and will continue to 'sweat' until the temps equalize. Fan is on with a couple windows open....

 

[zkdiesel]

Big ac units

 

[Rusty Pilot]

How large is this building ?

2400 sq ft.

Is there any ventilation to outside? If you're sealed well you'll still have humidity problems if there's a lack of ventilation and the fans only move around air that's already there. I need to run a dehumidifier to keep mine under control.

Outside of a couple windows and 2 garage doors, the soffit goes above the panel ceiling and to the attic area. What kind of dehumidifier to you use? Should I consider an exhaust fan/vent or something like that?

Big ac units

Considering it

 

[Dagny]

An exhaust fan will cause more sweating on the floor because you are bringing in new humid air.

 

[Shiftless]

Mechanical dehumidification and/or big air conditioners is your only hope. Sorry.