Are you also struggling with a damp garage? A garage is more than just a place to park your car.
For many of us, it also serves as a storage space for everything from tools and sports equipment to garden furniture and other items we don't use on a daily basis. Some even use the garage as a small workshop or studio.
But this is where problems arise - the garage is often one of the parts of the house most exposed to moisture while being used for long-term storage.
According to Sintef 75% of all building damage is due to moisture. This shows the importance of addressing the problem before it gets that far. Without good ventilation and proper moisture control, moisture can build up and lead to rust, mould and structural damage to the building over time.
A damp garage isn't just unpleasant; it can actually ruin both your belongings and the garage itself. That's why it's important to find an effective damp solution. Let's look at how you can get rid of the damp - and why a desiccant dehumidifier is a great way to keep your garage dry and safe.
Signs of moisture damage include foul odours, discolouration, dark damp patches on walls and ceilings, flaking paint and wallpaper, and visible mould. But why does dampness occur in the first place? Some causes are:
Sweden has a changeable climate that sometimes creates concerns for garage owners. With rainy autumns, snowy winters and wet spring months, dampness in the garage is a particular problem, which can cause significant damage to both the building and the interior.
In autumn, when the rain pours down, water can enter the garage through small cracks in the walls, ceiling or around doors and windows. In addition, the garage floor, often made of concrete, can absorb moisture from the ground, increasing the humidity inside the room.
When winter comes, the cold temperatures present a new challenge. Moisture already present can condense on cold surfaces such as walls and floors, creating the perfect environment for mould and fungi.
Although spring comes with milder temperatures, meltwater from snow around the garage can cause problems, especially if drainage is poor or if there are cracks in the foundation. The alternation between freezing and thawing causes small cracks to widen, giving moisture more ways in. All of this makes it clear that Swedish garages need effective moisture control.
Beyond that, there are other factors that have an impact, such as clothes in the dryer, the garage door or a car with snow or rainwater.
Excessive relative humidity over a prolonged period - whether in a cold attic, crawl space, storage room, garages, etc. - can lead to several problems:
The first step is to ensure good ventilation. This will reduce the build-up of moisture, especially during humid months with high temperatures and rainfall. If the garage is cold, you can also raise the heating or install a heat source to bring down the relative humidity.
Insulating walls, floors and ceilings is another measure you should take if you are installing a heat source. Also, check that the drainage around the garage is working properly, so that rainwater does not run towards the property. Also make sure that the garage door closes properly! A door that is not properly sealed can let in both water and cold air, creating a more humid environment.
When spring comes and the snow around the house starts to melt, it is important to check that water is not running towards the property. Go over the garage and carry out the necessary maintenance to prevent meltwater from entering.
A dehumidifier is another effective and preventive measure. There are two main types of dehumidifiers on the market: condensation dehumidifier and desiccant dehumidifier. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but in an unheated and humid garage, it is important to choose the one that works best in these conditions.
Sorption dehumidifier, sometimes called crawl space dehumidifierIn simple terms, a fan draws moist air into a rotating rotor with moisture-absorbing material that soaks up the moisture. The material is then heated and the water vapour is led out of the space via a wet gas hose, while the dry, treated air is brought back into the space.
This sorption technology is very effective in cold environments, even down to -20 degrees, and therefore suitable when you have moisture problems in unheated garages.
Our models, RCF 12 and RCF 20, are dehumidifiers suitable for a garage, for example. They also have a control panel that gives you full control over the moisture content, with alarm indicators that warn you if the moisture content exceeds pre-set limits. The dehumidifiers only operate when needed and then go into sleep mode to save energy.
In the garage, it is good to choose a dehumidifier with a higher capacity to handle the large amounts of moisture that can be produced. This is especially true when the garage door is opened, letting in moist air from outside, or when a wet car is stored.
Advantages of the programme:
Disadvantages:
When you need to get rid of moisture in the garage - especially when it's a colder garage - a desiccant dehumidifier is the best choice.
Condensation dehumidifiers can work well enough in some cases, but they struggle when temperatures drop - which often happens in a garage. Desiccant dehumidifiers, on the other hand, do the job despite the cold and they are able to dehumidify large amounts of moisture, which can often be the case in a garage. This makes them a safe solution that keeps the garage dry and safe over time.
