Moisture Problem
#1
09-01-03, 04:46 PM
Moisture Problem
I have an enclosed sunroom which happens to reside on a cement slab. I have since converted this room into a workout room, by fully insulating the walls, putting in dry wall, etc. I also put a rug on the floor with padding which had a moisture barrier. Now this room has a mold problem and I am unsure of how to attack it.
I have read, where you can either use dry lock paint or epoxy paint to seal the floor, put down 6 mil plastic on top, then roofing felt on top of that. Then put in a wood floor on top of that.
You can feel the humidity on hot humid days when you walk into the room. Does this sound like a good plan of attack.
I also hear it may be necessary to use a dehumidifier, however on your site I read an air conditioner may be cheaper and more efficient.
I have read, where you can either use dry lock paint or epoxy paint to seal the floor, put down 6 mil plastic on top, then roofing felt on top of that. Then put in a wood floor on top of that.
You can feel the humidity on hot humid days when you walk into the room. Does this sound like a good plan of attack.
I also hear it may be necessary to use a dehumidifier, however on your site I read an air conditioner may be cheaper and more efficient.
#2
09-01-03, 07:41 PM
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greenspani,
You seem to have it all down right. All of what you mentioned is a good plan of attack.
Good Luck!
You seem to have it all down right. All of what you mentioned is a good plan of attack.
Good Luck!
#3
09-02-03, 07:01 AM
Thermal Bridge
One of the problems associated with converted rooms such as these is known as thermal bridging. Basically all this means is temperature differences between different material causes an attraction and the greater the temperature difference the greater the attraction. Thermal bridging occurs when a material is placed between a conditioned area and unconditioned area that is not considered an adequate thermal break.
For example, the insulation you installed in the walls would be considered a thermal break, a material adequate enough to prohibit heat loss. Even though the carpet and the padding has thermal resistance, it is inadequate and as a result it is considered a thermal bridge.
What this comes down to is you have basically two choices, one is remove the padding and carpet and your mold and mildew problem goes away. The other is insulate the floor with rigid board insulation by installing sleepers and plywood over that, then carpet the area.
If you are wondering why condensation will not occur on the slab without the carpet and padding is because dew point will probably occur well inside the slab or the ground. The reason why it is condensating with the padding and carpet is because dew point is being reached inside the thermal bridge.
For example, the insulation you installed in the walls would be considered a thermal break, a material adequate enough to prohibit heat loss. Even though the carpet and the padding has thermal resistance, it is inadequate and as a result it is considered a thermal bridge.
What this comes down to is you have basically two choices, one is remove the padding and carpet and your mold and mildew problem goes away. The other is insulate the floor with rigid board insulation by installing sleepers and plywood over that, then carpet the area.
If you are wondering why condensation will not occur on the slab without the carpet and padding is because dew point will probably occur well inside the slab or the ground. The reason why it is condensating with the padding and carpet is because dew point is being reached inside the thermal bridge.
