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TOPIC: Condensation Issues

Metal roof / condensation

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We have a 200,000ft facility w/metal roofing. The ceiling is not insulated and we experience significant condensation. We have tried increasing the heat within the facility, added exhaust fans and circulation fans but still experience condensation. Outside of insulating the ceiling are there any other alternatives to mitigate condensation forming inside the building?
Steve Miner

2/20/2008
I don't know how much humidity is in the building, but it will be very hard to stop condensation in the winter without insulation and a vapor barrier. Increasing the heat may actually make the problem worse. Warm air can hold more moisture. When it contacts the cold roof, it will release that moisture as condensation.
Ken Buchinger
NCI Building Systems, Inc.

2/21/2008
Thanks for your response. Is there a min/max humidity level or any amount of moisture will eventually condense?
Guest User

2/22/2008
Steve you are fighting a losing battle there my friend,as mentioned previously without some sort of insulation or vapour barrier you are always going to get condensation.As soon as the outside temperature becomes cooler than the inside temp.you are going to have condensation to some extent.
Guest User

2/23/2008
It is a matter of reaching the dewpoint and that is when condensation occurs. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

2/23/2008
I try to explain condensation to clients this way. Imagine a glass of ice water. The cold water is like the outside of the building, warm air comes into contact with the glass and condensation forms on the outside of the glass, the warm side, that is the inside of your building with out insulation and vapor barrier. [email protected]
Guest User

2/23/2008
Thanks Wade. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

2/24/2008
Hi, Wade, I have a "garden" building with orchids and other crafts inside. The building is wooden with a slanted metal roof. I see no evidence of moisture inside the building, but am getting water stains on the soffit and moisture at the bird blocks on the outside. The building is heated to about 65 degrees and we live in Seattle so it is generally not very cold outside ( freezing a few days in winter). Any suggestions?
Guest User

3/10/2008
Sheila, Other than insulation and a vapor barrier, like they all talk about, there's not anything else to do. It sounds as though you are getting condensation and it is running down the bottom side of the panel. It is then dropping onto your soffit and bird blocks. When the water gets to the outside wall of the building then the temperature changes. It is more even on both sides of the metal and cooler air holds less moisture than warm air so it lets go of the metal. [email protected]
Guest User

3/10/2008