Damp Garage - Dehumidifier advice please

[GrandGinge]

Without the search working I cannot see whether this has been discussed previously, anyway to the plethora of knowledge on PH, I throw to you my issue:

The garage is build into a bank of soil, the walls are granite and to add to the issue it is close to the sea. Cleaning the AMV8 I noticed the chrome wing vents are beginning to tarnish/ rust and probably means more damage is being done. It was polished and put in there 12 months ago and not used since so only a limited amount of airborne salt should have got in.
My thoughts are that it feels slightly damp and I don't want to increase the natural air flow due to the salt, but instead buy a dehumidifier with an external drain and leave this ticking over.

Any thoughts and recommendations on which dehumidifier to go for or alternative solutions?

Thanks in advance,

GG

[Schuey M]

Does the garage share a wall with the house? If so a large air vent into the house will help. Another option is to damp proof/tank the walls that are up against the soil.

Honeywell dehumidifiers are very good and inexpensive.

[clockworks]

Sounds like my last house - penetrating damp through granite "rubble" walls.

I tried using dehumidifiers. They helped a little, but tended to draw even more damp through the walls. "Tanking" the walls is the best solution.

[GrandGinge]

Thank you for the responses, the wall are already tanked and reasonably dry, I suspect it is just due to the three walls being mostly submerged which is why I was considering the dehumidifier route.
I will look into Honeywell, thanks for the recommendation.

[Deva Link]

I've never got round to getting one, but seen the Xdry dessicant dehumidifiers recommended in these dicussions in the past. http://www.xdry-dehumidifiers.co.uk/

[EvoBarry]

If its already tanked then I would suggest it needs better ventilation instead? Any windows you can crack, is there a decent gap under the door to let air in?

[GreigM]

do you have the space for a carcoon/airchamber?

[GrandGinge]

Hopefully this shows the issue...



Australian camera......

[clockworks]

Is the damp coming through the walls, or up through the floor?

[GrandGinge]

clockworks said:

Is the damp coming through the walls, or up through the floor?

The floor has a DPC and the walls are tanked, it is more just damp and musty probably due to poor air circulation. Conversely I don't want to increase the air circulation because I think it will increase the salt.

I like the idea of the CarCoon and have measured to see whether one will fit - there is only one inch either side at the garage doors!

[Schuey M]

An extractor fan with humidistat is another option. It may be wise to waxoyl what you can and wax the paintwork reguarly.

[inman999]

More importantly, why have a car like that and leave permanently garaged

[GrandGinge]

inman999 said:

More importantly, why have a car like that and leave permanently garaged

Because I am not able to be on the island as much as I would like. The AM is worth more to me sentimentally than financially.

[Black_S3]

a few of these filled with silicone cat litter improved my last garage a lot - could easily be wall mounted if you don't have much spare space.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/elfa/components...

I had 5, 4 in the garage and one in the airing cupboard that got rotated every week in the winter.

[996TT02]

Are those vents above the door? If so you should have enough ventilation.

Re the salt - how close are you to the sea?

Salt does not evaporate, the only way it could get to your car is via sea spray, if it's too far for that then there is no issue. Also if there are vents above the door only there is no real throughflow so even if you are close to the sea the spray can't actually flow inside - as opposed to a situation where you could have had ventilation at the rear too.

I live in a high humidity area and find that proper garage ventilation is highly effective. I sorted out mould issues inside one of mine by locking the car shut with around 1kg of silica gel inside.