Remodeled Spa Room--Need help with moisture - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

**ChrWright** · 01-22-2008, 09:49 PM

Here's a spa room we remodeled & tiled. Slate, glass mosaic & porcelain tile. Re-finished gunite hot tub. Cedar ceiling & teak bench.

We've got a power vented skylight in here but the moisture is already reaking havoc on the painted woodwork--I'm already having to replace the 1x12 extension jambs on that door (if you look closely you'll see they're cupping something fierce.) The HO has a thin bubble top cover that sits on the surface of the water, but it doesn't make a very good seal. I'm trying a portable dehumidifier to see if that will knock it down some.

It doesn't help that we've had zero degree weather the past few days--the moisture is dripping down the walls. Any pool/tub guys out there have a suggestion for a better cover or a better system to keep the humidity down?

KillerToiletSpider · 01-22-2008, 09:52 PM

Is replacing the trim with vinyl trim an option?

mdshunk · 01-22-2008, 09:54 PM

This type of room normally has a "Desert Air" type of system installed to keep the humidity in check. This is going to be a disaster of a room in a few years without something along that line.

http://www.desert-aire.com/

**ChrWright** · 01-22-2008, 09:58 PM

The door is clad...My biggest problem are the jambs, casings & window. Keeping the skylight cracked keeps the moisture from building up but only down to 30 deg or so. After that, those cold tile walls & glass windows start shedding water fast.

Mike Finley · 01-22-2008, 10:08 PM

Have you thought about using that plastic 'wood', aztec or something. We use it when we install glass block windows, I can't remember the exact name, they have it at Home Depot. Not sure if you can get it 12" wide.

**ChrWright** · 01-22-2008, 10:13 PM

Thanks Mike, hadn't thought of Azek...not sure about 1x12 either...

I also thought about doing the jambs out of S4S cedar and having some casing milled in cedar or mahogany to match.

I wish now I would have planned for just projecting the jambs in cedar 1" past the face of the tile and not done any casings. (we tucked the tile behind the casings, but not with a clean enough line to get rid of them)

Poolman · 01-23-2008, 06:09 AM

How often and for how long do they use the tub?

If it's occasionally then a standard spa cover would work well you have to remove the handrail.

If it's longer then just like MD said you'll need a whole room dehumidifier like desert air or a dryotron unit.

Hope that helps. Scott

neolitic · 01-23-2008, 11:44 AM

Been there, done that.
Hard to convince customers that you don't
build a room and stick a spa in it.
You must build a system.
A few thoughts:
Replace rail with a figure 4
and install folding hard cover and lift.
Then add dehumidifier.

The best system we have found
is an exhaust fan w/humidistat
combined with an air to air heat exchanger
for supply.
Pricey for sure.

Besides the trim problems
one would be dismayed to see
what could be going on in the
ceiling/roof system!
Good luck

FRAMERBEN · 02-01-2008, 06:04 PM

Definatly replace what ever you can with Azeck. They make all dimensions. Even 4x8 sheets ! Although you wont find much variety at Home depot or lowes. If you wanted you coule even have someone knife the casing out of Azeck. ben

Jason W · 02-01-2008, 06:31 PM

Get a grip on the humidity in that room. I think thats all you can really do at this point. Once that's done do some repairs.

As neolitic pointed out, you will soon have problems with that ceiling if you don't. I gotta ask, why clapboards? T&G would have been much more forgiving in those climates.

**ChrWright** · 02-01-2008, 06:37 PM

Problem solved.

The extended jambs covered an old masonry opening which had not been insulated well enough. It was allowing a ton of cold air and was the major cause of the moisture problem. Insulated, replaced the jambs (cedar), repainted & added a small basement dehumidifier to the room.

Zero condensation now, even with a recent cold snap.

hevnbnd · 06-22-2008, 11:27 PM

Quick question any idea where they got the door hardware?

**ChrWright** · 06-22-2008, 11:28 PM

Which hardware?

hevnbnd · 06-22-2008, 11:38 PM

Sorry should have been more specific. The door handles. I saw them in another post you made in the tile photos section here as well... Thanks for your time. Brian

**ChrWright** · 06-22-2008, 11:41 PM

Emtek Milano lever with rectangular rosette, polished chrome.

hevnbnd · 06-22-2008, 11:48 PM

Thank you very much.