FIXING the SHELTER LOGIC CONDENSATION PROBLEM

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

A super easy problem to fix! Don't know why we didn't think of it sooner!

[@SMWChanel]

Good luck friend 👍👍👍 Wood worker check ✔️

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@Adirondack_Jo]

You guys move at warp speed...can you bottle that and give me a bottle? Just kidding. Glad you found a solution to the condensation problem. And so glad you have continued to use the dish washing skills from our cabin years! Keep up the good work, guys!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Lol. Thanks 😊

[@johndrazic7665]

Glad it worked for you. My Shelter Logic is on a concrete pad and I have the same condensation issue. I believe ventilation is required in my case to solve the issue.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Interesting… I think maybe because concrete has the ability to hold moisture?

[@jhargrove71]

@@johndrazic7665 I had the same problem on concrete. I had to leave the ends open half way.

[@privateprivate5928]

U need plastic on top or below concrete. But ventilation may be the real issue

[@ttnyny]

I have done the same thing from Day 1 - with the same heavy-duty silver polyethylene tarp - with all of my shelter logic shelters and have never had a humidity problem. I have also installed fixed louvered vents on the end wall of each shelter. They are rectangular, hardware store vents. I cut a backing template out of underlayment plywood that has an opening with the same dimensions as the vent and is about 3 in. wider and taller than the vent frame on its outside dimensions. After confirming that the rear tent panel is properly installed and hanging plumb, I use a utility knife to cut a vent-sized rectangle in the panel. I then use 8 or 10 bolts to bolt from the vent surround on the outside through the shelter panel fabric and through the plywood backing frame on the inside. These vents probably help more with excess heat than humidity, but I think they probably help with humidity as well.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Great idea. thanks for sharing 👍

[@Vincent-kc1cx]

I am a big fan of science with Cathy You guys rock what a simple easy fix I am going to get this going on in my shelter logic> Thanks

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks! It will definitely help.

[@lanny222]

This is awesomeness! I just notice bad condensation in my shelter logic it’s been raining a lot here and I thought it was leaking through the tarp itself but I will try this before I buy the vent.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We might also add the vent but the tarp did do the trict👍

[@bkarolev2596]

Well just went out and found the same thing..water on Everything..thanks for sharing this fix ..Off to get a tarp

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We know exactly how you feel. The tarp was the simplest fix we could come up with and it’s worked great so far. Good luck

[@BushPigADV]

We out to my shed today. Light snow out. Shed is just like yours, dripping all over. I have plywood down on the floor but there is a few inch gap around the edges

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Ugh. Been there. Need to stop the interior condensation somehow.

[@BushPigADV]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid Going to go with the tarp like you guys did. Got to wait for the stores to open back up. Monday

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Let us know how it works out if you get a chance. Happy new year!

[@margakrumins1004]

Thanks for sharing this. I'll be putting up the same shelter logic later this week at my property. It will be storing things that will go in the heated wall tent I'll be putting up after I move to the property late next month, as well as tools, etc. Once the wall tent is up, my car will go in it when I don't need the space to actively work on the next projects. So, I'll put a tarp on the floor from the get go. Thank you!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Glad we could help! It will make a huge difference for you. Good luck with everything. It’s so exciting! Not sure if you mentioned what state you’re in? A heated tent might be better than our uninsulated trailer!

[@margakrumins1004]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid Am in Wisconsin. New property is up in N Central WI. I'm certainly hoping the heated wall tent will be warm enough, else could be a rough winter. Am not looking forward to the unheated 3 season tent under a tarp later this week. Plan on going up for a few days to get up the shelter, move the rabbit hutch (their cages are now in my garage) and get it back up, start working on what I can of the tent platform (can't finish until have exact tent measurements), etc. Might move the 3 season tent into the shelter when I get it up.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Ah yes. It can get cold there! Hopefully you got the darker colored shelter logic. It gets very warm inside when heated by the sun! Even in freezing cold days👍.

[@margakrumins1004]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid First, correction. Duh, meant W Central WI. Is the green one from Tractor Supply. Chose that keeping in mind what you had said about it getting warm; figured I'd harness that, since it will be my "workshop" through the winter.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

I’m really glad you got the same one. It really does stay amazingly warmer inside!

[@jodyk4949]

Hi thanks for the info in this vid. I’m curious how is your heavy duty cover from shelter logic holding up after two years since this video? Thank you 🙏

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

This past year it started to wear over the bars and leaked. We had to put a tarp over it but we’re still using it and everything is staying dry inside

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Good evening both of you 👍😊 Great fixe and have a great week Cheers !!!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks! Same to you!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid 😊👍

[@onFIREfamily]

How's this fix holding up? We put up 2 shelter logics with terrible condensation raining down on us this winter. Thought about the vents but tarp is a good fix and better than the gravel floor we have (if you've found it to hold up well). Thanks!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We aren’t there all the time but it seems to be working so far.

[@RVBarndominium]

Science with Kathy ..nice fix! Hey, i would wash dishes in a stream too..haha. Whatever it takes.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Whatever it takes for sure!

[@countrycuts5796]

I just bought a shelter logic garage, and I got the optional vent with it. It opens up when it gets to a certain temp and closes again when the shelter cools down to a certain temp. It totally is suppose to stop the condensation problem. Mine is getting set up in direct sunlight with no shade. They only cost 60 dollars Canadian, so I thought it would be a good investment.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That sounds great. Never even knew that was an option!

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Thought sure you were going to need vents to stop that from happening... great work !

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks so much!

[@mikelanglais7493]

Could you tell me the dimensions of the shelter? Very interested in the door opening height. My tractor will be 89.5” tall. Thanks

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

The ceiling in this is 8’, I think the door was 84” but we ended up just raising the door a little different and dug the ground down at the entry. Works great. Here’s two videos to check out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWmvpXSZaNGXoqs and kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXuWcoqtgcubi8k . Thanks and good luck!

[@youtubeused2Bcool]

This video saved me. THANK YOU.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Glad it helped!

[@youtubeused2Bcool]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid do you find you have problems with critters now?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@youtubeused2Bcool We made a bucket trap and catch some constantly, so yes, we sort of do!

[@CrazyCanuckFitness]

super easy cheap fix! love it

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@Nivek0326]

do you use the equipment for snow? how do you handle snow melt on the tarp? do you just leave it alone or whats the thought?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

The tractor has a snowblower I will be putting on for the winter. It is actually one of the reasons we purchased it because we have a very long driveway. The shelter logic front faces south and actually stays warm inside in the winter sort of like a greenhouse. We had up to 2 feet of snow at one time last winter and I guess because of the heat inside, it all slid down the sides. It did not stay on top for very long. Only a few days and it was fine. We will see how this winter goes.

[@Nivek0326]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid I just put one up but mine tarp is completely sealed and goes up all 4 sides. I’m not sure if it will evaporate any standing water or if I need to “drain” it as mine pitches front to back so all the water will all go in that direction

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Hmm. Interesting. You don’t want water in it but wondering why do you think it will get in?

[@Nivek0326]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid I’m imagining after I use the tractor to plow and then put it back in the snow melt from the loader and tires will melt inside

[@TheIslandboy11]

I have put tarps down and cut vents in the gable ends of my 12x30 tarp shed and it still gets so wet inside it’s basically raining in there. Not sure what else to do

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Wow. You must have extremely humid air. Where are you located?

[@TheIslandboy11]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid I'm in atlantic canada

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

I guess your just very humid air there. Is it under trees or in sun?

[@TheIslandboy11]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid It would be in the shade for most of the morning, then sun the rest of the day

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@TheIslandboy11 It sounds like it should be fine....I wish I could help more. Maybe giant containers of damp rid...or a solar fan to help airflow.

[@MasteringHow-To]

Weird. My Shelterlogic has a asphalt floor and I still get condensation. It’s just extreme hot to cold temps. I even have both vents open

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

The condensation can also come from the air inside the shelter logic. It will be ‘forced out’ and condense (just like on windows) when the temperature drops.

[@MasteringHow-To]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid Any idea how I can help that? I have two vents on each door. And also have a fan inside running all the time….

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@MasteringHow-To Thats really it. Other than a fan like in a bathroom that would suck the humidity out. Maybe you could put the fan near the vent and face it out instead of in?

[@shadow.5404]

excellent work, thumbs up my friend 👍

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thank you!

[@anthonyraffaele1982]

like this set up . . .

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

appreciate that very much!

[@workingtolive4082]

Great video, love the teamwork guys. A few yards of gravel in there would be a helpful add to keep the tarp in place, and prevent slipping. Just a thought, good on you guys keep it up.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That’s a really good idea! Thanks 👍

[@lancedooley7558]

Awesome vid. Will a 2500 diesel fit in the shelter?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Depends on the height. How high is it?

[@lancedooley7558]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid im honestly not sure. It has a factory 3" lift. I'll have to measure it.

[@BillyPipes]

I have the same issue but my shelter is on the driveway. Not sure how to solve the problem for me

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

What’s the driveway made of?

[@BillyPipes]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid asphalt

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

The moisture has to come from somewhere. Large cracks? Buckets of water? Is the entire interrior covered with the asphalt? Or maybe your air where you live just always has a very high humidity?

[@BillyPipes]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid its an old driveway. Its probably from the cracks now that you mentioned it. Thanks for the fast response. We're getting a new driveway in April so ill have to see if it changes things. Keep making awesome videos on this👍you 2 are doin great

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Appreciate that and hope the driveway works 👍

[@homesteadingwithsadie]

quick and easy , thanks for sharing

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@privateprivate5928]

I have plastic down for 75 percent and have condensation. I have crushed rock with dust on top of plastic for protection. Ventilation is also important. I guess these are greehouse. Maybe remove the ends

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

I would recommend covering the entire interior floor with plastic.

[@BBBILLY86]

Nice to see an update on the shelter. How did you make out with the 3 feet og snow we had week before Christmas? I put up the same one based on your review and videos and doing great here. Even with 3 feet of snow. Slid right off !!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Funny you should ADK but I see you already saw the update we posted today. Can’t believe you got three feet!!! Wow! Glad to hear that the shelter held up great👍

[@DJNaturaultone]

Will this work for cement driveway? 🤔

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Yiu shouldn’t need it with a cement driveway

[@DJNaturaultone]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid I get the same moisture as your video. I have 2 vents in the tarp but still wet inside.

[@jhargrove71]

Mine was on cement and it still got a lot of condensation

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Did it have a waterproof barrier under it?

[@CoffeyOutdoors]

Nice easy fix

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks!

[@thegunshow9112]

Has it stil been working? Condensation is the only thing holding me back on one of these

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Yes. It’s actually worked great so far. I’m very happy 👍

[@thegunshow9112]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid great thx for the quick reply!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

No problem at all! Have a great day 👍

[@waycoolmom1]

Thank you!!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Glad to have helped 👍

[@otrotland5377]

Did it work?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Absolutely

[@Captain1717Q]

How is that shelter logic holding up any issues with snow?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We had up to 2 feet of snow at one time last year and it was perfectly fine! It faces south and it would warm up inside and the snow would slide right down the sides.

[@robertlemoine3500]

New sub , cheers, Thankyou for the content.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Appreciate that! Thanks for joining us👍

[@chumchisk]

Great vid but rocks? Sand bags maybe

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

I agree sandbags would probably have been better, but sometimes you have to use what is on hand and rocks we have plenty of! They are still working too :-)

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

Using that tarp was a great idea. I wonder if any deer took a pee in that water where you were washing things 😁

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

If they did the wife said we talked good luck😂

[@rogermorris-zd4dp]

beaver pee too. giardia!!@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid

[@BeachMan47]

Question, Would it work to put the tarp down then cover with 5 inches of crushed gravel? Once packed in, would the condensation still stay away??

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

As long as the gravel is completely dry it should work great👍 I just don’t know what would happen after a few years of driving the gravel down into the tarp.

[@BillyGirlardo]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid I just saw another video that had plywood on 4 pallets square on top of large gravel (to fight mud) which I was totally sold on, but this tarp idea (for between my pallets and plywood) kicks it up a notch for my 600lb motorcycle's drive-thru garage (so I don't have to back it out). Thanks so much!

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@BillyGirlardo Wow, good idea for the mud, but I have to wonder why mud would be a problem - we get so much rain, and mud is literally everywhere, but never under the shelter logic! Glad you like the tarp idea though! Still working great for us :-)

[@BillyGirlardo]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid Ah, you got me there! Turns out the spot I need to put the shed in is full of rain water as per a storm this afternoon. Obviously I'd want it in a different spot, but this isn't my acreage, and after the storm just now, I realize I'm gonna need Noah's Ark to get my motorcycle's whitewall tires thru this yard unscathed, so in the end, I'm returning the shed to Tractor Supply tomorrow and using the money to pay the first 4.5 months of storage unit fees 10 mins down the road (since this has to be done in the next 2 weeks and I don't have an extra $900 to account for the 3/4 plywood I'd need for a U-turnable deck). At least I know exactly what kind of shed to get when the time is right, so thanks again :-)

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

@@BillyGirlardo no problem 👍 don’t blame you

[@privateprivate5928]

Most scientists would say that tarp only sheds moisture. You need polyethylene. I wonder if u r leaving door open or something.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

As a scientist, yes, the tarp only sheds water (it does degrade over time from exposure, especially to sunlight). The condensation inside the shelter is coming from the soil. When the shelter is closed, on a sunny day the temperature inside increases. As the temperature increases, the moisture in the soil is evaporated into the air. Overnight, when the temperature cools to the dew point, especially at the tarp, the vapor in the air condenses on the underside. Opening the doors would actually help prevent this from happening (ventilation). However, laying a tarp on the floor also prevents it because the moisture in the soil can no longer evaporate into the air within the shelter. Problem solved.

[@atvridingtrail]

Merci mec👍

[@chichiszolusha608]

I also added a few boxes of moth balls to keep the snakes out and 4 boxes of rat/ mouse bait , they will do thousands of dollars damage to the toys

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

We are just figuring that out. Thanks for the advice 👍

[@chichiszolusha608]

Lol

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Yup. They ate something in the atv. I’ll be assessing the damage this weekend.

[@ericfiala767]

@@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid Did you figure the mouse thing out? I’ve found mice nesting in my atv too and am worried they’ll start chewing on wires and stuff.

[@toddstanley3619]

Dirt floor isn't as much of an issue as a lack of air circulation.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Yes, that could be a problem too but the floor stopped the condensation so it wasn’t a problem for us. I think it wasn’t because we had to dig down in the center for the tractor and the bottom of the doorway has a small gap for air flow…. Might be making a difference

[@kentyhurst7835]

So are we in 2016 or 2020?

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Lol! Good catch! That was a mistake neither of us noticed 👍

[@kentyhurst7835]

You just wish it was 2016 with no covid

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

100%.

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

A vapor barrier is a. Good idea, however; depending on how frequently you drive your equipment in & out as well as walk around inside you will put perforations in the tarp which will allow moisture to rrise again. Condensation doesn't occur with rising temperatures. Condenxsation occurs upon cooling down. Like Dew on your windshield. As others stated, you need more ventilation. You may find in rainy weather, your problem may return.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Great point. It’s really just for winter storage so it’s held up and worked great so far.

[@texasproud3332]

I can see it now future channel content science with Kathy

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Lol. Ya might have something there 😂

[@relaxingnature86]

So nice

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Thanks

[@robertward553]

You got to follow the science, as they say.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Lol

[@jalleman61]

You have condensation because you have no air flow, not the ground issue. Create positive flow an you'll be happy happy

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Airflow would help it, not solve it. when you have moist ground (we do because we get a lot of precipitation) and put plastic over it, then it heats up during the day in the sun, you get condensation (think greenhouse). Condensation still occurs, but it occurs under the floor tarp instead of the ceiling thereby preventing it from dripping down onto the machinery.

[@govinda102000]

I guess I should of done that before I placed my gravel down.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

Hindsight… I guess you could always scrape out the gravel..

[@offgridamy717]

Just let some air flow in

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That helps but it’s not enough in our humid climate where water flows right under ground