Semi finished garage air movement

[mercracing]

Hey guys,
I am in Wisconsin and have a semi-finished garage. Concrete floor, insulated and drywalled walls and ceiling. Currently when we bring in a car after it rains, rain sheds off the car and pools on the floor. With everything closed up it just gets damp and muggy in there. What is the best way to move the air around in there so the damp air leaves and it doesn't feel like Florida in July all the time?

Thanks for your input.

 

[CraigStu]

Just moving the air around would help but I'd be looking at moving air through. A $20 box fan in a window w/ another window open 6" would do wonders. If no windows, cut 2 holes in the walls. A fan w/ auto opening louvers in one opening to **** air out. louvers over the other opening to let air in. But maybe simpler would be a dehumidifier. Just a drill bit through a wall for the drain hose to be pushed through and you are done.

 

[mercracing]

There currently is one window. I’ll have to look into a fan/louvers. I don’t think I currently want to cut a hole in a wall just for a hose to go through.

 

[ericm]

If the car is wet when you pull it in, the air is likely still wet outside. Bringing in more humid air isn't going to help much.

When I had this problem I ran a dehumidifier. Running a hose outside to drain would be the permanent solution but I took the easy path of emptying the water container periodically.

 

[jack stand]

It might be that you simply leave the car outside.... or for an hour after the rain has stopped.

 

[acer66]

It might be that you simply leave the car outside.... or for an hour after the rain has stopped.

How would one justify one time tool purchases in the proper GJ fashion doing that?

 

[jack stand]

How would one justify one time tool purchases in the proper GJ fashion doing that?

dehumidifiers are a pain in the *** if there's a simpler answer.
Added humidity to an attached garage that is usually "un-conditioned" anyway will eventually lead to black drywall and the OP sounds opposed to a permanent drain line but that (dehumidifier) would be the best answer as long as he can find the perfect setting for the humidistat so that it's not running 24/7.

 

[acer66]

dehumidifiers are a pain in the *** if there's a simpler answer.
Added humidity to an attached garage that is usually "un-conditioned" anyway will eventually lead to black drywall and the OP sounds opposed to a permanent drain line but that (dehumidifier) would be the best answer as long as he can find the perfect setting for the humidistat so that it's not running 24/7.

Since holes in the wall are out of the question maybe a hole in the window or if it is a hung window open it enough for a hose and block off the rest of the gap with a piece of wood etc.

 

[hobie18]

If it is attached and not conditioned...

Okay, so how to address this? Many here have the answer. Many have actually done it.
The op brings up a good point. Like a swimming pool or hot tub, moisture as well as temperature control issues.

If walled off from house, then to help garage. If open air flow between, yikes, a good solution is needed.

Moisture. Heating. Cooling.

Ps, what kind of roofing? Does the sun heat up the garage? No vents?

 

[mercracing]

It’s an attached garage, walled off from the house. All the walls are insulated and drywalled, but not taped. Just bare drywall. Same for the ceiling. Insulated and bare drywall. The sun will heat the garage in the summer for sure. I don’t believe there are existing vents into the garage. There’s a ridge cap vent in the attic space, but nothing to vent the garage to the attic or to outside.

 

[Jeepster04]

Dehumidifier and also possibly a fan.

Even then, keeping a wet vehicle in the garage is probably the worst thing for the vehicle. Especially in the winter if it has salt on it.

 

[Metal-Marc]

It’s an attached garage, walled off from the house. All the walls are insulated and drywalled, but not taped. Just bare drywall. Same for the ceiling. Insulated and bare drywall. The sun will heat the garage in the summer for sure. I don’t believe there are existing vents into the garage. There’s a ridge cap vent in the attic space, but nothing to vent the garage to the attic or to outside.

Just mud and tape the drywall. Paint everything a light color. Install a mini-split and you will have a nice cool/warm garage year round.

 

[wssix99]

All the walls are insulated

This is causing your challenge. The insulation probably also has a vapor barrier, which will keep moisture inside.

I have the same issue you do. (also with heat being trapped) You can read about it here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/ventillation-in-an-energy-efficient-garage.337783/

Your best bet is probably to install a HRV or and ERV. I have a HRV and have gotten to a good place by taking the heat transfer elements out of the unit during the summer (converting the unit into a simple fan) and then using the full HRV functions in the winter.