Because cold rooms are generally used in storing large quantities of products or goods that requires low temperature, it is important that you keep it in shape to operate smoothly and avoid problems. Following are the list of the most common cold room problems that you may encounter; what causes them and why and how best to solve them.
Condensating Walls
Condensating walls usually happen when the internal surfaces are colder than the room air hitting it. Solve this problem by warming up the wall surfaces through installing more insulation. Other solutions include tightening or providing better airflow inside.
Mouldy Walls
Unstable levels of moisture together with varying surface temperatures are catalytic to mould growth. Growing moulds are a common problem with cold rooms but you can remedy this by making sure that your storage rooms are dry, clean and disinfected. Moulds are likely to redevelop over time so aside from cleaning, prevent it from occurring once more by installing enough insulation to avoid condensation.
Rotting Walls
The absence of a vapour barrier or having one that is wrongly installed can be the reason why your cold room storage walls are rotting. Moisture seeping into the wood cladding is also another cause to be aware of. Resolve this problem by using a different kind of material for insulation or try to re-insulate. Since using a vapour barrier is not always dependable, finding ways to prevent moisture from seeping back in would be your best solution.
Dripping ceiling
Another cause of a missing or inadequately installed vapour barrier is dripping ceilings. It can also be caused by poor attic insulation and ventilation. Since the lack of insulation and vapour barrier are the common causes of this problem, the easiest solution would be to provide enough insulation as well as placing a vapour barrier with regards to the drive direction of the vapour pressure.
Air Temperature Problems
- Temperature changes during storage – this may be due to inadequately located or insensitive and poor quality thermostats thus failing to sense the average room temperature. Evaporator coils with large temperature differences are also a factor for temperature changes as well as an uneven air flow.
Solve this by installing the thermostats properly or use one which is of good quality. Allow more even airflow by rearranging storage containers or do some quick relocation of the evaporator coils or install extra fans or air tubes.
- Warmer or colder temperature than the preferred temperature during storage – may be due to poor quality thermostats once more. However, insufficient insulation in the summer as well as poor attic ventilation and not enough refrigeration causes inside air to be warmer or colder.
Practical solutions involve using quality thermostat and installing them properly. For more cooling capacity, install more refrigeration. Installing air tubes as well as increasing the fan’s capacity or having extra fans will also do depending on the problem that you have to solve.
- Uneven internal air temperature – are mainly caused by insufficient storage capacity leading to fluctuating airflow and short circuits the air right back to the evaporator coils.
The best solution for this will be to use a smoke generator to locate dead air spots and examine possible short circuiting of air. Installing air tubes, extra fans, and rearranging storage containers are also plausible solutions to follow.
Smelly Storage airs
Gases like carbon dioxide and ethylene are usually emitted from decaying or “sweating” products. These gases in excessive quantity can cause your cold rooms to smell bad and will require you the use of a small exhaust fan for proper ventilation. Another thing that you can do is look for a decaying product and dispose it right away to rid your cold room of the bad smell.
Cold Store Solutions 