CAUSES OF CONDENSATION IN MARQUEES
The humidity level inside the tent is a major cause of
condensation. When the humidity level is high, moisture in the
air is more likely to collect on surfaces. This can be caused
by activities such as cooking, and also even activities as
innocent as breathing, and sweating inside the tent.
You are far more likely to encounter moisture issues in the tent
if it is set up in humid circumstances. For many clients, the
visitors inside the tent will be the main source of humidity.
Great parties include dancing and loud talks, but there are
drawbacks as well. Breathing and perspiration both
contribute to the accumulation of moisture within the tent.
Condensation will then form when the wet air comes into
touch with the chilly walls.
TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL
This is when there's a large difference between internal and external temperatures. If the climate is cold outside, and your party tent is heated, this may cause levels of condensation to build on the interior of your marquee covers
WIND SPEEDS
If wind speeds are high enough (higher than about 20 mph), then it can cause condensation on your tent walls as well because it causes air molecules to collide with each other more frequently than normal--which leads to more collisions between water molecules as well.
TERRAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
Ground characteristics are crucial. Condensation in tents can occur even on dry ground. For instance, if you set up your tent on grass, the air will be more humid. This is because grass releases water vapour, which the tent traps.
AIRFLOW
Without adequate ventilation, heated air will remain on cold surfaces for an extended period of time, cooling below the dew point and forming liquid condensation. Air must consequently be able to circulate freely and continuously about the tent.
HOW CAN I MINIMISE CONDENSATION IN A MARQUEE?
To minimize condensation in a tent, it is important to ventilate the tent by opening windows and opening the doors to allow
the humid air to escape. It is also a good idea to avoid activities that increase humidity inside the tent, such as cooking or
boiling water.
If dampness in the tent is not controlled, it may degrade the quality of perishable goods and possibly result in the growth of
mould. Mold may usually be removed with warm, soapy water. We advise using an alkaline based PE / PVC cleaner for
tougher stains.
In an emergency, you can decide to dry the tent using a dehumidifier with industrial strength. Dehumidifier use is not a
long-term solution since the tent is not airtight. However, a dehumidifier can assist in drying out the tent and controlling
mould growth.
DOES THE TENT'S MATERIAL AFFECT CONDENSATION IN ANY WAY?
“I recently purchased a new tent, and I've since found leaks. The ceiling is where it is dripping. Is my tent's roof not
waterproof? Is it the fault of the manufacturer or the tarpaulin's material?”
Our event industry specialists occasionally get comments like these, especially in the middle of winter when it's chilly, rainy,
and the temperature can fluctuate from pleasant to frigid. All our materials, from the PE tarpaulin to the PVC roofs, are
completely waterproof, extremely UV-resistant, robust, and of the finest quality. With more than 20 years of manufacturing
experience, Gala Tent can make this statement with confidence.
Whilst condensation is quite often unavoidable, Gala Tent have done our best to take on the battle against tent moisture. For
instance, our marquee walls are not entirely sealed. Instead, they let a constant flow of fresh air from the outside through the
ridge and eves. Good ventilation is ensured by these walls' inherent ability to breathe.
Each structure benefits from detachable sidewall and gable portions that provide you with especially big apertures for
ventilation. Rain and other moisture are diverted away from the tent by this ground side skirt, which wraps around the entire
tent structure. The removable window panels every 2 metres always allow for a steady exchange of air between the outside
and interior of the tent, which is another significant benefit of purchasing a Gala Tent.
Condensation is the obvious culprit. It can build up on tents, much like it can on commercial units, patio doors or
windowpanes. Whether or not the tent product is completely waterproof is unimportant in this situation. Tents are exposed to
all types of weather and are outdoors during the day, evening, and night, therefore the development of condensation is a
fully typical and natural occurrence. Therefore, if water falls from the poles or gathers within the tent, it is not necessarily a
sign that the tent is leaky or of low quality.
It will be challenging to completely stop condensation from accumulating because of this. Even the highest calibre Gala
Tents will develop it under many circumstances. But that doesn't mean you should take down your tent. With a few easy
actions, condensation can be drastically reduced.
HOW CAN MOISTURE FROM ACCUMULATING INSIDE THE TENT BE AVOIDED USING DAMP PROOFING?
Know where the primary sources of moisture and dampness
are.
Many things can cause dampness. You must comprehend
the causes before you can move forward with damp
treatment. These are a few of the main causes of excessive
moisture in tents.
Keep moist objects out of the tent for extended periods of
time. Make sure that damp or wet towels and swimming gear
aren't left inside the marquee if you're using it as a changing
room.
Lots of moisture can be released into the air during meal
preparation and beverage warming. An extractor fan in the
kitchen can effectively solve this issue. However, you
probably won't have the luxury of an extractor fan to remove
humid air in a Gala Tent. To deal with this extra vapour, you
can choose to partially open side walls close to cooking
areas or at hot beverage stations. Gala Tent would
recommend a separate structure for this activity
Properly ventilate your Gala Tent. Ventilation is the most
crucial element in preventing condensation and
safeguarding your tent from potential mould growth. Ventilate
frequently and enough. When possible, leave the door open
or take down the side wall panels temporarily.
We advise you to undertake regular security checks of all
your equipment. There shouldn't be any loose tie down
anchors, bolts, or folds in the roof tarpaulin. The easier it is
for air to circulate over the covers surface and the more
robustly it will defend your tent from severe winds, the more
securely the covers are fastened to the frame.
In summary, the point is that condensation is generally
unavoidable in most situations, especially when the tent
has been used to house large numbers of people, or
host a catering event. However, if you take precautions
to minimise it by ventilating your marquee well then you
will be best place to give your party tent a long and
useful lifetime. Also, ensure your covers are fully dry
before you pack them away to avoid mould and mildew,
and your Gala Tent can last for as long as you need it.
Please not that this article is intended only as advice for
owners of marquees and gazebos purchased from Gala
Tent. We cannot accept liability for any damage caused
by condensation and the elements.
Our team of experts are on-hand to provide help and advice if you have any pre-purchase concerns, so give them a call on 01709 242454 and have a chat now. If you already have a Gala Tent product and are looking for help in cleaning the covers, then you may wish to visit our accompanying article about cleaning marquees and gazebos here.
