Pole barn moisture and mold

92utownxj · #1 05/02/14, 10:28 AM

I have a 32' x 48' pole barn used as a garage. It has 4 windows, 2 overhead garage doors with openers, 1/2" foam board insulation with foil backing on sides and roof, 10' from floor to trusses with no ceiling, just open. It has a 4" concrete floor over stone.

My problem is moisture. In the summer there is white mold on things. Things in plastic storage containers get musky smelling. There is mold on the concrete underneath things.

The pole barn was built at the end of 2008. It gets full sun for at least 8 hours a day in the summer. It's very frustrating. I'm guessing it's lack of ventilation, but I don't know what to do. It gets really humid during the summertime in southern Indiana.

Any suggestions?

Kasota · #2 05/02/14, 11:23 AM

Ventilation fans.

simi-steading · #3 05/02/14, 11:26 AM

or dehumidifier...

92utownxj · #4 05/02/14, 12:52 PM

What kind of ventilation fans? I have 2 big ceiling fans, but ventilation to the outside besides opening windows and doors.

Also, any recommendation on a dehumidifier for about 1500 sq. ft.?

Thanks for the suggestions. I want to get something in place soon before it gets really hot and humid again.

simi-steading · #5 05/02/14, 12:57 PM

If you got about a 70 pint or larger dehumidifier it would be a big help.. That's the size I use in our farm house when we're not there and it's all closed up.. It took care of all our mold and humidity issues.. the house is about 1200 feet..

This is the one we have and I'm really happy with it.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_416568-39269...7C1&facetInfo=

simi-steading · #6 05/02/14, 12:59 PM

OH.. I was thinking too... You might want to see what you can do to get as much as you can from sitting directly on the concrete and allow air flow under the items.. Could be the concrete is sweating and making matters worse..

92utownxj · #7 05/02/14, 01:04 PM

Thanks! I'll definitely look at that one.

Xplorer · #8 05/02/14, 03:12 PM

oops, wrong picture

. We had added Vents to the gables to help with this issue, but the picture is before that was done.

Kasota · #9 05/02/14, 06:12 PM

You could put in a ventilation fan that would be mounted on the wall. You can find them pretty much anywhere but check ag related stores like Fleet Farm.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/j-d-.../0000000033319

You could also replace the ridge with a ventilation ridge cap if you don't have one. If you don't have soffit vents you could add some of those as well.

jwal10 · #10 05/02/14, 06:23 PM

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hv...g&gclsrc=aw.ds

bja105 · #11 05/03/14, 09:42 PM

There is an attic vent fan control that will cycle the fan on temperature or humidity.

just_sawing · #12 05/04/14, 08:39 PM

You have had a good lesson on the fact that if they were not needed our ancestors would not have built Cupolas. In there day if they got moisture they had hay fires and needed to vent efficiently.
In your case I would think about a light source at the upper wall level. This will give you light and ventilation when opened but are small enough not to be a thief hazard.

92utownxj · #13 05/05/14, 09:29 AM

I'll try to post pictures later. The pole barn doesn't have eves. I think what would be a ridge vent is blocked by the foam board insulation on the inside. It seems like it's a very air tight building. If I were to do it again, I'd insulation under the concrete floor. It does sweat sometimes if there are big temperature changes. I know ventilation is good, but I also hesitate since I heat it when I'm working out there in the winter.

Thanks for all the ideas so far.

mrs whodunit · #14 05/05/14, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92utownxj

I'll try to post pictures later. The pole barn doesn't have eves. I think what would be a ridge vent is blocked by the foam board insulation on the inside. It seems like it's a very air tight building. If I were to do it again, I'd insulation under the concrete floor. It does sweat sometimes if there are big temperature changes. I know ventilation is good, but I also hesitate since I heat it when I'm working out there in the winter.

Thanks for all the ideas so far.

Then a cupola would be perfect for you, you could close the windows in the winter and open during the summer. As an added bonus it would bring natural light in

suitcase_sally · #15 05/05/14, 10:20 AM

It's a little late for you now, but for others thinking of building a pole barn - before pouring the concrete, put a layer of plastic (about 4 mil. thick) over whatever substrate you will be using. We built our pole barn in an area that has a water table only 1 to 1 1/2' below ground. It's been there about 20 years and we've never had a problem with moisture. Make sure the plastic overlaps by at LEAST a foot, maybe two.

PoleBarnGuru · #16 05/10/14, 10:32 AM

Reducing or eliminating the source of the moisture would be a good start. You can read more at: http://www.hansenpolebuildings.com/b...ncrete-sealer/