Need Advice For How To Make My Garage Damp proof.

strawberries1

I have a garage at the start of the row of garages. I need work done to it but need suggestions and advice about how to go about it.
There're a few gaps between bricks in two walls (about 4 places). Bricks and the cement can't be asbestos right? The roof has  a bit of ivy on the back wall coming up the roof. Roof needs cleaning but could be asbestos. I've read the HSE website, no pressure washing. I read an article about using copper wire but will be difficult to place on it I think.
There's some felt coming down the back. The gap at the top, btw the garage door and the brick needs to be closed.
The main thing is how to keep the garage damp proof. We wish to use it to store personal belongings but it feels damp inside so I'm worried items will go damp and mouldy. I'm considering posting on My Hammer but no idea what to say I'm looking for. Damp proofing? Builder? How should the workman go about it? Thanks.

Doozergirl

Even if it is dry, it is cold.  There is moisture in the air and things will go mouldy.  

FreeBear

Yup. My garage is water tight (no leaks in the roof), yet stuff still gets damp, particularly in the winter months. The sheds are the same... If you want stuff to remain dry and free from mould, store it somewhere warm and dry.

strawberries1

So I can't store clothes (for about 4 months and wooden furniture (couple of years) there? My friend stored her wedding dress in her garage and it's fine. My neighbours also keep things in theirs.

Doozergirl

Your risk.  

My stuff wasn't fine when we left it in a new build garage for 10 months.  (A long time ago).  The furniture got mouldy and mice ate the clothes for a nice bed.  😬

Kiran

If you are going to store stuff you need it to be water tight but also ventilated. In theory you could vac bag clothing for storage. Furniture off the concrete slab and covered would probably be ok but as everyone has already said, I wouldn't risk anything of high value or that you would be upset if it got damaged. Another thing to think about is the rodent population, they love a bit of investigating and will find a way in

bouicca21

My garage is damp. I store spare duvets and pillows in there with no problems - but I put them in vacuum pack bags.

Davesnave

I have a modern block and Yorkshire boarding barn and it's draughty. It was designed that way because animals sweat a lot. Wooden furniture and similar stuff that's been in the barn for 10 years now is still OK, though it feels a little cold and damp at this time of year. I have a dissertation  in there written in real ink in 1973 and it's absolutely fine, but the content hasn't improved with age!

IMO ventilation is the most important factor.

hk213

One of the most cost effective methods for waterproofing garage walls is by using tanking slurry to prevent dampness. Tanking is commonly used in cellars and basements to prevent groundwater entering, however, tanking slurry is also highly effective at preventing damp walls in a garage. It is the cheapest and most effective method of garage waterproofing.

strawberries1

hk213 said:

One of the most cost effective methods for waterproofing garage walls is by using tanking slurry to prevent dampness. Tanking is commonly used in cellars and basements to prevent groundwater entering, however, tanking slurry is also highly effective at preventing damp walls in a garage. It is the cheapest and most effective method of garage waterproofing.

We found this info a Google about tanking. What about external paint? Masonry paint? PVC paint? Will using these on the floor help as well?
We're also considering boarding up the roof to prevent dust coming in from there as it's just the corrugated roof sheets and beams. 

FreeBear

hk213 said: One of the most cost effective methods for waterproofing garage walls is by using tanking slurry to prevent dampness. Tanking is commonly used in cellars and basements to prevent groundwater entering, however, tanking slurry is also highly effective at preventing damp walls in a garage. It is the cheapest and most effective method of garage waterproofing.

If there is water penetrating the walls of a garage, tanking may reduce the damp problem slightly. But the walls & ceiling are not the source of damp in most garages. Moisture laden air from outside will find a way in through the main door and condense on any cold surface - This mainly happens during the winter months, and no amount of tanking will fix the problem.

If you want a dry storage area, it needs to be weather tight, and heated above the dew point.

Oh, and tanking a cellar - Rarely a good idea in the long term. Doing it right is not just a case of slapping waterproof cement around.