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Dry Rooms - HADave - 05-10-2006
I thought this might be a good topic to get our heads around. After many discussions with regard to dampness, and all the related effects, I read some info from the Bishop Mueseum on keeping books. In that information was the mention of a dry room, an area in the home dedicated to the preservation of all sensitive material and equipment. The concept of a dry room sounded intriguing whether it be large or small, ventilated or conditioned or whatever it sounds as though many items folks have that tend to be pricey and/or important should be protected somehow from dampness. Books for instance,. it is said in order for them to remain undamaged by the different effects, mold, insects etc. a room or enclosure should be kept tight and at a preferable temp and humidity level, said being 70 degrees and 50-55% humidity. It is also said that excess moisture can cause early degradation of electronics and foam speaker surrounds. In other topics we spoke about such things as rusting appliances, but there are many other equally expensive items in the home that are subject to rust, if a magnet sticks to it, it will rust. Perhaps those that enjoy drying trade winds have no fear but to those less fortunate at higher elevations where rain is more abundant there must be methods or concerns. I believe our new home shall include a "Dry Room" now to decide the least expensive way to achieve this, all thoughts & experiences encouraged to reply.
Here is one site for the consideration of dehumidifying; http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/dehumidifier-reviews/fullstory.html
Aloha HADave & PeggyAnn
RE: Dry Rooms - allensylves - 05-10-2006
That is a definite priority in our plans for our retirement home, especially books and tools.
I can't remember any specifics now, but I remember reading about moisture-barrier paints. Such paint on all the inside walls of a room would reduce the load on a dehumidifier or AC.
Another possibility for someone building a house or replacing a water heater is to get a water heater that uses a heat pump to heat the water and drain the condensed water outside. This would cool and dehumidify the room where it was located. I do not know how the economics would work out in Hawaii. With such a dual purpose designed into the house, it might be quite feasible.
Allen
Baton Rouge, LA & HPP
RE: Dry Rooms - pam jones - 05-10-2006
Hey HADave,
Excellent timing as I'm in the market for just "the right" dehumidifier and this is good information. How very right you are, ever since the 40day flood, I've been finding mold in the strangest of places. Opened the cd changer the other day and two of the three cd's in there had mold on them! Go figure! I'm planning on a dehumidifier in our 12'x5' closet as the bulk of our belongings will be in there (linens, clothing, leathers, etc.) and a stove in the living room for books. HOPEfully between those two we will be ok. Thanks for the info.,any and ALL from you is a good bet! Now, get yourself over here! Aloha,
PJ
RE: Dry Rooms - HADave - 05-11-2006
Thanks Allen, bejamin moore makes a vapor barrier primer/sealer don't know if one can find it on island but deffinately worth looking for...
Aloha PJ Thanks for kind/felt words, My pleasure on the info. looking forward to wrapping thinks up here and getting there ASAP a few bumps in the road to take care of first.
~(: Dave & PeggyRE: Dry Rooms - Naomi W - 05-13-2006
I do alot of crafts and have alot of books with patterns. Can someone guess as to how fast are they going to mold? Would it be cheaper to rent a 5x5 heated storage than to run a dehumidifier(electric)? just curious as to everyone opinion.
thank you guys!
Naomi
Edited by - Naomi W on 05/13/2006 15:56:00
RE: Dry Rooms - Carey - 05-13-2006
Naomi, althouh mold is common, there are a lot of ways to combat the start of mold in books, without the need to rent a heated 5x5 (curiousity on just how many pattern & craft books you have...that is a lot of cubic feet of books!). Here are a couple:
We have found the best way to preserve our books is to get a sealed bookcase (we are using a glass front hutch we purchased used here, that had very good door seals, but those could have been added) and we have dessicant on each shelf (little bags - nylons tied - of crystal cat litter).
Our church keeps their good stationary & all envelopes in a storage cabinet with a light on all the time, that would also be a way to protect your books.
A good rule of thumb is: if yo are going to seal up your things, include a dessicant. If your items are going to be stored in a vented cabinet or a closet, include circulations, light & a little heat (a light bulb is sufficent for smaller areas).
Aloha, Carey
RE: Dry Rooms - Naomi W - 05-14-2006
Thanks Carey,
It was not that I have enough books to fill the 5x5 storage. It was that I thought it might be cheaper to rent, than pay the electric for dehumidifier. But your answer about the book case was perfect.
thank you so much.
Naomi
RE: Dry Rooms - mella l - 05-14-2006
Someone not long ago suggested Walmart for desiccant. Evidently it is a comon product in the Hilo Walmart.
We plan on using a wood stove every once in a while to dry out things somewhat. A closet big enough for leathers, stereo equipment and items we wish to protect will be located behind the wood-stove.
If we could only get there we could get building and figure it out for our area.
Aloha,
Mella L
mella l
RE: Dry Rooms - David M - 05-14-2006
Almost related, so I thought I'd share...
Back last Aug, we had visitors to our humble abode - remember we live in a shed
After one of their tourist trips, they gifted us with a candle holder - kinda looks like a pinkish orange cystalline rock with a hole in center. I placed it on my top 2x8 shelf - not like it was something that was important with moving in.
While I'm back on the mainland, Sophie remarks that something is leaking. When her brother visits in Sep, he too comfirms the "leak", but it hasn't rained and there are no containers of anything liquid - mystery. This shelf is above eye level, about 7 feet high. When I come back in October, sure enough, you can see the drops on the bottom side of the shelf - basically most of its length. It wasn't until we were reorganized and I moved everything, that I grasped this object. Can't really described what it felt like, but I needed to wash my hands after. I then surmised this was the source of our "leak". When I placed it back on the shelf, I placed it in a tin pie pan (classey
). Basically there is water in it all the time, even had to empty it once it was so full. Don't know what the material is, but is sure does draw water out of the air.David
Ninole Resident
RE: Dry Rooms - Lee DeJongh - 05-14-2006
David Could your candle be a hunk of rock salt? They sell those around here and they are carved out of solid salt. Pretty but I imagine they would really suck water out of the air and slowly dissolve.