To All: Any suggestion would be helpful here:
I’m in central Connecticut, have a screened in porch (actually 2 sides against the house, 2 sides screened. The floor is pressure treated decking 2 feet off the ground, with a plastic vapor barrier on the ground. The ceiling is a sheetrock “tray” ceiling. The roof above is vented with soffit vents that lead up to a full length ridge vent on the house itself.
The problem is, when the snow thaws, or we get a cold winter rain, ( Meaning, high humidity and cold walls and ceiling) we get horrible condensation on the interior ceiling and walls of the porch. Bad enough that despite trying a vapor barrier “bathroom” paint, the joint taping only survives for 2 winters, then I’ve gotta retape the ceiling. It’s a lousy hobby.
I’ve tried running the ceiling fan on high when the weather’s like this, it helps some, but not enough. I’ve thought of replacing the sheetrock with T&G wood, but I’d hate to do that and have staining.
Any way to vent this? Any other suggestions? Thanks,
Steve
Replies
Screened in, that means you did not cover the screens with plastic panels or sheeting right??
Cause if you did, that's your trouble right there.
If you have left the room open and let the air flow through, I can't possibly imagine what would be causing condensation to form.
Is this on the south side of the house?
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
This doesn't suprise me. For an exterior application like this, you needed type X 5/8" gypsum panel and the finishing with setting type compound instead of premixed mud. Then a good oil paint to seal it all
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Firebird, it's on the north side. Even worse. I'd think that the plastic could make it worse, since the door gets used to let the dogs out 6 or 7 times a day.
And Piffen, you hit it right on. Though the rock is only 1/2", it is MR type and surviving, but the joints are done with drying compound. Guess I need to do it again!
Any thoughts on T&G cedar for the ceiling? With a clear penetrating type finish, do you think it will survive?
Steve
Finish the pieces with a coat or two first, and the final coat after putting it up, That will help eliminate mildew staining. A lot of our porches here are open, so we paint the ceilings sky blue or robin's egg blue. That prevent 90% of the insects that would otherwise harbour there, like spiders.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks for the good advice. That's exactly what happens. One cold day, then warm moist air and "snow fog" and it's almost raining inside the porch!
Looks like hot compound for now, then T&G cedar when the old checkbook allows.
And sky blue paint! Never did like spiderwebs!
Steve
Edited 2/6/2005 6:23 pm ET by Steve
Paul,
I agree with your post, but where the heck is the moisture coming from, and or, why is he getting condensation in a porch that is wide open?
That is why I asked him if he closed it in with plastic.
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
You never saw fog roll in? We get this kind of condensation all the time, and it makes even more sense that this unit is on the north side of the house. It is always cooler there. A cool surface at 5AM with a warm air amss carrying moisrture from the water
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Well, central CT ain't exactly near the water..........but your point is well taken. Just never seen it happen. I would think that the moisture would tend to collect on low areas, and not on a ceiling.
A lot of our porches here are open, so we paint the ceilings sky blue or robin's egg blue. That prevent 90% of the insects that would otherwise harbour there, like spiders.
WOW! I really learned something there! I always thought it was just asthetics!
EricI Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
Ya, fols the bugs into thinking that the sky is open and the sparrows or whatever bug eating birds live around there will come and dine on them.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Does that work inside the house, too?
let me know the results of you experiment? LOL
I don't know of anyplace that folks let bugs hang around indoors that long without sweeping them up
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
well, ya do NOW...LOL
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"I've..seen all good people turn thier heads, so, satisfied, I am on my way.."They kill prophets for profits"..And, that's...the truth.........phhatt
It's the same type of thing as what a dehumidifier does. When the "relatively" warm air blows across a cold coil, you get condensation. You just chilled the air to its dew point (the temp at which humidity is 100%, thus it would be raining), and once it reaches its dew point the air releases the water it has. What is happen for you is the same thing. The air in the room is relatively warmer than the air outside and the cold walls cause the air to release the water and that is your problem. I'm just guessing that you have at least two possible solutions. First insulate the walls (may not be possible for your situation), that would keep the cold from getting into contact with the warm air. Or leave a window open or make some type of vent to allow air into the space, which would equalize the air temp's and you wouldn't have the problems with condensation.
DDay: Yup you're right about the condensation problem. But it this case, the wall that's cold is actually the outside wall of the house, and the contiguous ceiling beyond the house envelope. It is well insulated, if the house's heat went through, I probably wouldn't have this problem. (Of course, my oil bill would be even more obscene)
And as for venting the space, it's a screened porch. Can't ventilate much more than that.
Pretty much akin to a cold drink can (not beer, never say beer to a breaktimer!) "sweating" on a hot humid day.
Thanks for the input/
Steve