This week’s Ask The Guru addresses reader questions about the cause and possible solution to excessive dripping, the dimensions of an RV garage Hansen designed, and advice regarding putting a vapor barrier bubble blanket on the underside of the purlins before blowing insulation in attic.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: I live in Pennsylvania – we just had our barn roof replaced with drip stop at the suggested of a local builder. Finished in October, 2024, November comes with cold mornings and warm days and now we have excessive dripping in our barn. We have a 140-80 long indoor attached to horse barn – dripping especially bad along the edge where the two barns meet. There is no installation guide for this material that I can find, although I see some places talk about using a heat gun to treat lap edge. I know ventilation plays a role, although no issues prior to this install. Looking of insight how what to do to fix this problem. Would love to talk with you on the phone to discuss further and pay you for your time to discuss particulars. Thanks in advance. ROBIN in RUFFS DALE
DEAR ROBIN: In order for Dripstop to work effectively takes an excellent ventilation system – one with both adequate intake and exhaust vents. Outside of ensuring ventilation is doing its job, is reducing possible sources of moisture. Obviously your horses contribute greatly to adding moisture to the air, so not much you can do about them as a source. You do need to make sure your area at least 10 feet wide around your building is sloped away at least 5%. Downspots from gutters need to discharge at least 10 feet away from building. If these measures are ineffective, you may want to contact Dripstop directly at 1.937.660.6646.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: Do you have the dimensions for the RV Door, gross dimensions of the building? Tried to attach photo. Custom RV & Motorhome Pole Barn (Hansen). Thank you JOHN in WEST LAFAYETTE
DEAR JOHN: The footprint is 28′ x 42′ with a 12′ x 14′ overhead door on the taller 16′ section and a 9′ wide door on the attached side shed. As every building we provide is 100% custom designed to best meet wants and needs of our clients, we can adapt those dimensions to whatever is needed for your particular combination.
DEAR POLE BARN GURU: This building is a shop and will be heated probably only when I am in it working. Should I put a vapor barrier bubble blanket on the underside of the purlins before blowing insulation in attic. RUSS in DEVILS LAKE
DEAR RUSS: Assuming your building is already up, if you have no means of controlling condensation on underside of your roof steel, you should be doing something. In order to be effective, whatever is used must be totally sealed, else you risk creating problems between roof steel and any barrier if moisture passes through and gets trapped. Your best bet – two inches of closed cell spray foam directly applied to underside of roof steel. Make sure dead attic space is properly ventilated.
