I have an unconditioned storage area underneath my rear concrete porch. The storage area is accessible from both the outside and basement.
I had water issues in it when I first moved in, and had an interior french drain and sump pump installed. The blocks were full of water, and when they drilled the holes at the bottom of the wall, water flowed into the gravel/drain. It's been dry ever since the system was installed, however, I get excessive humidity and condensaton during the cold winter months.
Initially, I thought that the concrete ceiling was seeping water from rain/snowfall that accumulated on the porch floor. Last summer, I waterproofed the concrete floor, but still had moisture issues this past winter. I realized that what I was dealing with was excessive humidity in the room, and purchased a dehumidifier that operates at low temperatures. Except when it got too cold in the room (mid-30's F) for the dehumidifer, the room has stayed dry.
I am wondering if warm humid air can be sneaking in along the wall/floor joint where they install the egg crate looking plastic so water that does flow down the wall, flows through this gap instead of onto the floor.
If warm humid air can be infiltrating in this area, can I seal it up with a polurethane type caulk?
My thinking is that I only have condensation issues now, and any water that is getting in the concrete block is exiting via the weep holes drilled below the floor surface....then flowing into the french drain. I'm guessing I can eliminate most of the condensation if warm humid air is sneaking in along the break between the wall and floor.
BTW---a majority of the condensation accumulates on the ceiling along the perimeter of the exterior walls. In really bad build ups, not only does it drip onto the floor, but runs down the walls making the walls appear as if they are also leaking.
I had water issues in it when I first moved in, and had an interior french drain and sump pump installed. The blocks were full of water, and when they drilled the holes at the bottom of the wall, water flowed into the gravel/drain. It's been dry ever since the system was installed, however, I get excessive humidity and condensaton during the cold winter months.
Initially, I thought that the concrete ceiling was seeping water from rain/snowfall that accumulated on the porch floor. Last summer, I waterproofed the concrete floor, but still had moisture issues this past winter. I realized that what I was dealing with was excessive humidity in the room, and purchased a dehumidifier that operates at low temperatures. Except when it got too cold in the room (mid-30's F) for the dehumidifer, the room has stayed dry.
I am wondering if warm humid air can be sneaking in along the wall/floor joint where they install the egg crate looking plastic so water that does flow down the wall, flows through this gap instead of onto the floor.
If warm humid air can be infiltrating in this area, can I seal it up with a polurethane type caulk?
My thinking is that I only have condensation issues now, and any water that is getting in the concrete block is exiting via the weep holes drilled below the floor surface....then flowing into the french drain. I'm guessing I can eliminate most of the condensation if warm humid air is sneaking in along the break between the wall and floor.
BTW---a majority of the condensation accumulates on the ceiling along the perimeter of the exterior walls. In really bad build ups, not only does it drip onto the floor, but runs down the walls making the walls appear as if they are also leaking.
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