New Garage Issue please view and give suggestions.

4908 Views 34 Replies 22 Participants Last post by Brian2014, Feb 16, 2014

BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · Feb 5, 2014 (Edited)

3

So I start building a garage last spring...I am of course busy and been doing it in stages..before the snow started to fly I house wrapped, and got the heater going. I slowly picked away at insulating. We get to -40c where I live. I did not get poly up on the inside right away. Today I pulled some insulation down to find it soaking wet on the side of the garage the sun is on currently. And major frost under the insulation on the side that the sun is not on. So am getting condensation big time. Likely due to not getting poly up?? Will attach pictures. Anyways what do I do, pull all insulation down? I do not want mold/rot to become a issue. Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Hard to see in picture but this is wet under the insulation

Big view of inside as you can see poly is not on, I do have continuous gas heat going and it is cold currently outside -25c

Frost under insulation on cold side garage

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BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 6, 2014

Just wondering if it would be advisable to wait till it warms up and see what happens. I mean I've had this insulation up since Nov, so its been a few months that potentially there's been frost, moisture under the insulation. I can't be the only person who neglected to get poly up right away...was just shocked to see this happen. Also if I do have to pull insulation down, I'm not concerned about insulation, its not a kind that would wreck...but with it being -20c to -30c degrees can I expect the wood to dry out?

Tinstaafl

· #3 · Feb 6, 2014

You're not actually a carpenter by trade, are you?

BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 6, 2014 (Edited)

Actually he is, but it is his wife writing this. Why would you say that? He did not expect that amount of condensation just not getting the poly up fast enough. Your a moderator huh? I asked a real question looking for real responses not smart a## remarks.

The Coastal Craftsman

· #5 · Feb 6, 2014

I would say call servepro and get them out. They will dry it out. Only cost about $200 too.

Reactions: 1

Tinstaafl

· #6 · Feb 6, 2014

BigMacDaddy said:
I asked a real question looking for real responses not smart a## remarks.

So did I. By your own admission, you are not a carpenter and thus should not be posting in a forum meant for professional tradepeople. We'll let the membership stand for now in case your husband decides to speak for himself.

Your question is typical for a homeowner attempting to DIY a project. A pro carpenter would typically get the job finished in much less time (even on his own home, working part time), and already know the answers.

Reactions: 1

BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 6, 2014

Tinstaafl said:
So did I. By your own admission, you are not a carpenter and thus should not be posting in a forum meant for professional tradepeople. We'll let the membership stand for now in case your husband decides to speak for himself.

Your question is typical for a homeowner attempting to DIY a project. A pro carpenter would typically get the job finished in much less time (even on his own home, working part time), and already know the answers.

I asked for him as he is not a "computer" person. And no not all ticketed carpenters have endless amounts of time to build a big garage when working full time elsewhere. This was only started in the spring and he has been the sole person working on it. He did not expect this amount of condensation in the time it was left that is all. He does know he should get poly up to prevent this. But now that it is like this...thanks to the person that did offer a valid suggestion though.

B.Scott

· #8 · Feb 6, 2014

Tinstaafl said:
You're not actually a carpenter by trade, are you?

Totally uncalled for.

I am a real carpenter and my garage is not finished either. Maybe I have other things in life besides work and Internet.

Reactions: 2

jlsconstruction

· #9 · Feb 6, 2014

B.Scott said:
Totally uncalled for. I am a real carpenter and my garage is not finished either. Maybe I have other things in life besides work and Internet.

Half my house is torn apart, and has been for a year, I peck away at it.

What are you heating the garage with?

Reactions: 3

BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #10 · Feb 6, 2014 (Edited)

B.Scott said:
Totally uncalled for.

I am a real carpenter and my garage is not finished either. Maybe I have other things in life besides work and Internet.

Thanks B Scott. ...did not expect that much condensation.

BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #11 · Feb 6, 2014

jlsconstruction said:
Half my house is torn apart, and has been for a year, I peck away at it.

What are you heating the garage with?

Just a force air unit heater (gas)

B.D.R.

· #12 · Feb 6, 2014

Maybe it is the moisture created by the natural gas.
Seems excessive though.
Maybe open a window a crack, and see if it dries out any.

Reactions: 1

CrpntrFrk

· #13 · Feb 6, 2014

There are 101,700 members on this site. Tin is just one guy. He has laid down many good suggestions that I have read but does not mean you have to get along.

Guess my suggestion is, this forum is exactly like our industry (construction). The beginning might be a little rough but ride it out and you will find a plethora of info, good advice, and good men and women here.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.:thumbsup:

Reactions: 2

overanalyze

· #14 · Feb 6, 2014

Tin is doing his job. We get DIY people all the time starting accts. to ask a simple question. This place has somewhat of a hazing period, and if you don't have some thick skin, your gonna get your feelings hurt.

Now as far as you garage, having poly up might have helped. What is the wall thickness? Is there a weather resistive barrier on the exterior? Someone mention moisture form the heater...this is a real possibility. Is it natural gas or propane? Fiberglass needs something on all six sides to be effective. Just poly alone won't achieve this. It needs to be compressed against something...osb, drywall, panelling, something. Is there concrete on the floor? Was it poured over a vapor barrier? All these questions need answers before a correct evaluation and solution can be given.

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BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 6, 2014

overanalyze said:
Tin is doing his job. We get DIY people all the time starting accts. to ask a simple question. This place has somewhat of a hazing period, and if you don't have some thick skin, your gonna get your feelings hurt.

Now as far as you garage, having poly up might have helped. What is the wall thickness? Is there a weather resistive barrier on the exterior? Someone mention moisture form the heater...this is a real possibility. Is it natural gas or propane? Fiberglass needs something on all six sides to be effective. Just poly alone won't achieve this. It needs to be compressed against something...osb, drywall, panelling, something. Is there concrete on the floor? Was it poured over a vapor barrier? All these questions need answers before a correct evaluation and solution can be given.

Wall is 2x4 ..yes there is weather resistive barrier on the exterior. And concrete was poured over a vapor barrier, its proper insulation its roxul. Its against osb. And heater is natural gas. The only thing he didn't do is the poly???

Thanks for your reply, sorry he really isn't a computer person, only reason I am typing for him.

Jaws

· #16 · Feb 6, 2014

B.Scott said:
Totally uncalled for.

I am a real carpenter and my garage is not finished either. Maybe I have other things in life besides work and Internet.

While my house aint finished either, he was right

She is not a carpenter. He didnt insult or ban her, hs asked a legitimate question.

Be some clean framing for DIY though.

Reactions: 2

BigMacDaddy

Discussion Starter · #17 · Feb 6, 2014

3

Will reload pictures as they help I would assume. And will develop thicker skin

Exterior

Inside

Frost under insulation

Again appreciate suggestions

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overanalyze

· #18 · Feb 6, 2014 (Edited)

All walls in cold climates go through temperature changes which result in this to some degree. Yours may be a little worse due to the lack of a proper vapor barrier and interior wall finish. The safest solution was mentioned and would be to get some professional drying equip in there and then finish it up.

Edit...After seeing the pics it doesn't look that bad....

Reactions: 1

griz

· #19 · Feb 6, 2014

Sounds more like you have a partially built structure that didn't get done before winter.

As for Tin, he's a grouchy old goat. Every now and then he bleats out some good info....:whistling

Just hard to tell his voice from the squeaking of the rocking chair:laughing:

Reactions: 3

EricBrancard

· #20 · Feb 6, 2014

I've been building my own home for the last 14 months as well. If it was a customer job, it would have been done in 4.

I've been battling the condensation problem too. Using temporary heat like propane which dumps a ton of water into the air and then condenses against the cold sheathing. I eventually got a hold on it. Got 2 giant dehumidifies running and cranked the propane heat to the max while leaving a way for the humidity to escape up and out. In a few days, the moisture content of the framing went from 17 to 10. Afterwords I insulated and did an airtight Sheetrock install.

Until you get a handle on the humidity in there and find a way to stop warm humid air from hitting cold sheathing, the condensation and moisture issues are going to continue.

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