Garages can fall victim to high levels of humidity just like the rest of the home and perhaps even more so if there isn’t a lot of ventilation or back-and-forth activity happening within the garage. If you don’t have a dehumidifier, you may be wondering what your options are. In this article, we will learn how to reduce humidity in a damp garage without a dehumidifier.
The most common challenge people face when trying to reduce humidity in their garage is that they don’t know how to do it if they don’t have a dehumidifier.
In this article, we’ll go over some things you can do to reduce excess condensation in a garage without a dehumidifier.
Sometimes, humidity or dampness (water vapor) in the air can supply enough moisture for mold growth. Indoor relative humidity (RH) should be kept below 60 percent — ideally between 30 percent and 50 percent, if possible.
EPA
- How to Reduce Humidity in a Garage without a Dehumidifier
- What Causes High Humidity in a Garage?
- Moisture Absorber for Garage
- Garage Humidity Level Recommendation
- Condensation on the Garage Floor
- Humidity Causes Mold
- Pros and Cons of Dehumidifiers
- How Much Do Dehumidifiers Cost to Run?
- Final Thoughts
- Sources
How to Reduce Humidity in a Garage without a Dehumidifier
Believe it or not, you don’t necessarily need a dehumidifier to lower the humidity in your garage. Below, we address several ways you can reduce excess condensation.
Don’t Leave a Wet Car Parked in the Garage
Make sure to dry your wet vehicle before parking it in the garage. The water droplets on the vehicle will add to the humidity in the air within the garage, causing more condensation.
Check the Floor Drain for Blockage
A garage floor drain is an important feature in any garage as it helps to prevent water and condensation buildup on the garage slab. However, if the drain becomes blocked, it can cause the floor to become wet and slippery, and the air in the garage to become humid.
In order to prevent these problems, it is important to check the drain regularly for blockages.
This can be done by lifting up the grate and looking for any debris that may be blocking the flow of water.
If a blockage is found, it is important to remove it as soon as possible in order to prevent further problems.
Reduce Garage Clutter
A garage is a great place to store extra belongings, but it’s important to keep the space organized to protect your belongings from humidity and condensation.
Piles of clutter that cannot breathe well are a prime place for condensation to collect, causing deterioration of your belongings as well as mold growth.
One way to do this is to invest in shelving units and storage containers that fit your space.
Label everything so you can easily find what you need, and consider using clear containers so you can see what’s inside without having to open them.
Also, be sure to leave some room for walkways so you don’t have to scramble over things when you’re looking for something specific.
Consider a Floor Coating
A floor coating can be a great way to protect your garage from the damaging effects of humidity and condensation issues. In high moisture environments, a concrete floor can become stained and pitted. A floor coating provides a barrier against moisture, keeping your floors looking like new.
When applied correctly, a floor coating can also help to insulate your garage, keeping it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
In addition, floor coatings can make cleaning your garage easier, as they provide a smooth surface that is easy to sweep and mop.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that floor coatings are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners.
Use a Vapor Barrier
A vapor barrier is any material that won’t allow moisture to pass through it. In a garage, a vapor barrier can be used to protect stored items from condensation in garages.
For example, if you have a lot of tools or holiday decorations that you store in the garage, a vapor barrier can help to keep them in good condition.
Ventilate Your Garage
Your garage should have proper ventilation to protect your vehicles and other stored items from the damaging effects of excess humidity. To achieve this, you’ll need to install an exhaust fan and one or more vents.
One common type of vent is a louvered gable vent, which is installed in the upper part of a garage door.
Another option is a foundation vent, which is installed at ground level. When choosing an exhaust fan, make sure it’s rated for the size of your garage.
The fan should be mounted near the garage ceiling and vented to the outside. For optimal results, open your garage door when using the fan.
This will help to circulate the air and remove any harmful fumes or vapors.
What Causes High Humidity in a Garage?
High garage humidity can be caused by several things. The most common causes of high humidity in a garage can be:
- Lack of Ventilation: Without adequate airflow, moisture buildup can lead to dampness and mold growth.
- A water source: Leaky pipes or sweating condensation on cool surfaces.
- Carwashing: A wet car parked in a garage can increase garage humidity.
To reduce the risk of high humidity, it is important to ventilate the garage regularly and fix any leaks promptly.
If carwashing is done in the garage, be sure to dry the floor afterward to remove any residual water. By taking these simple steps, you can help keep your garage free from excess moisture.
Moisture Absorber for Garage
Moisture absorbers are an easy way to combat the musty smell that often develops in garages. By absorbing excess moisture from the air, they can help to prevent mold and mildew growth. Moisture absorbers come in a variety of forms, including:
- Gel packets
- Desiccant pouches
- Silica gel cans
- Bags of charcoal
When choosing a moisture absorber for your garage, be sure to select one that is specifically designed for use in enclosed spaces.
Many moisture absorbers offer convenient features, such as automatic shut-off valves and indicator lights, which make them easy to use in any garage.
Garage Humidity Level Recommendation
The ideal garage climate is between 45 and 50 percent. Anything below this range can cause the wood in the garage to dry out and become brittle, which can lead to cracking and warping. Additionally, low humidity levels can cause paint to peel and metal tools to rust.
On the other hand, if the moisture levels in the garage are too high, it can create an environment that is conducive to mold and mildew growth.
In addition, high humidity levels can cause condensation on surfaces, which can lead to the deterioration of stored items.
As a result, it is important to keep humidity levels in check in order to protect stored items and prevent damage to the structural integrity itself.
Condensation on the Garage Floor
When water vapor in the air meets a cool garage floor, it can turn into liquid water. This is because the temperature of the surface is below the dew point, which is the temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor and liquid water begins to form.
While this may seem like a small amount of water, over time it can lead to larger problems.
For example, if the garage condensation is left unchecked, it can result in mold and mildew growth, which can damage both the structural integrity of your home and your health.
In addition, condensation can also increase indoor humidity levels, leading to discomfort and promoting the growth of dust mites.
As a result, it’s important to take steps to prevent condensation from forming in your garage.
Humidity Causes Mold
Humid conditions are often breeding grounds for mold. The spores that cause mold to grow are always present in the air, but they only proliferate in warm, humid environments. When these spores land on a wet surface, they begin to grow and multiply rapidly.
As mold colonies grow, they release additional spores into the air, leading to even more growth. Not only is mold unsightly, but it can also cause serious health problems.
For people with allergies or asthma, exposure to mold spores can trigger an attack.
In some cases, mold exposure has been linked to more serious respiratory illnesses, such as pulmonary fibrosis.
Because of the health risks associated with mold growth, it is important to take steps to control humidity levels in your garage.
Getting a handle on the excessive humidity in your garage is very important.
Pros and Cons of Dehumidifiers
It’s true that dehumidifiers are an investment, and depending on the size of the area being dehumidified and the desired features will depend on the cost of that investment.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of dehumidifiers:
Pros of Dehumidifiers
- Improved air quality in your home by removing extra moisture from the air.
- Reduces the amount of mold and mildew in your home.
- Reduces the number of dust mites in your home.
- Dehumidifiers can help to reduce the likelihood of respiratory problems.
Cons of Dehumidifiers
- Expensive to operate
- Can take up a lot of space
How Much Do Dehumidifiers Cost to Run?
A dehumidifier will typically cost between $0.03 to $0.15 per hour to operate, while a humidifier will cost about $1.00 per hour. It’s important to know the difference so as not to get the two confused.
If a dehumidifier was running for 8 hours per day, the estimated daily cost to run the dehumidifier would be between $0.24 to $1.20.
Final Thoughts
With some creativity, lowering humidity levels in a garage can be done without a dehumidifier.
By reducing excess humidity in your garage, you will be more in control of your garage climate, reducing the chances of mold growth that can eventually destroy not only the things stored in your garage but also the building structure of your home.
Sources
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Garage Living
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Trina Greenfield, Author
SmackDown Media LLC
LinkedIn
About the Author:
Trina Greenfield, the owner of SmackDown Media LLC, is passionate about providing information to those interested in the air quality in and around their homes. Trina writes content about things she’s passionate about, such as safe, in-home air, educational platforms for children and adults, as well as all things family-related.
