how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

We have a small cellar attached to our basement where we store our foods, wines and some dry supplies. The earth does a good job at keeping this cellar cool throughout the year but the main problem in summer is humidity. Are there any cheap/traditional methods for combating humidity? I once heard having a gravel floor helps .. is that true?

The problem with the humidity is that it causes mold to grow on the walls and eventually even on my goods

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

http://www.allergynursing.com/moldy/health_hazards.html

:smokin: Good to solve this serious problem now.

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

How about a dehumidifier?

No humidity in Colorado...to speak of. Very dry air at 6000 feet. Mold not a serious problem unless the pipes break and it sits for days.

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

they generate too much heat and plus I was hoping for some method that did not require electricity- something that would still work when the power stations fail ;)

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

"Drinks Up Moisture" in Enclosed Spaces

Rechargeable silica gel dehumidifiers absorb moisture in enclosed areas preventing condensation and stopping rust, mildew, corrosion and spoilage. 900 Gram Silica Gel Unit protects up to 66 cubic feet of enclosed space. Ideal for closets, cabinets, vaults, and more. Each unit has a built-in indicator that turns from blue to pink to signal it has reached its maximum moisture saturation level. Once that level has been reached, the unit can easily be recharged in any conventional oven. The units can be recharged as often as needed for lifetime protection. Silica gel is inert and non-toxic. Will not emit harmful vapors, stain or cause chemical reaction. Safe to use with sensitive materials. Measures 3� x 6� x 8�.

http://tinyurl.com/2ket5g

http://www.theruststore.com/Hydrosor...fiers-C27.aspx

Seems like a scalable solution - I know they work on boats - Enough of them should take care of your application

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

Hey that's a good idea with those silica gel packs- I use small ones for my guns! Thanks

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

Calcium Chloride is sold as water hardner, it's mostly used in gunite swimming pools. It's basically the same stuff as damp rid and a 50 pound bag goes for less than $20.00. I use it in my gun safe to absorb the moisture and it works great !! You'd be amazed at how much water is pulled out of the air in just a few weeks.

If you buy a few damp rid containers, and put them around your cellar, when they fill with water, just empty them out. Replace with calcium chloride and that 50 pound bag will probably last you all year.

Make sure to store the calcium chloride in a sealed bucket to prevent caking.

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

Are there any dangers to using calcium chloride?

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

Nope, pretty much the same as damp rid.

The only problem I had was one time it got tipped over in the gun safe and the water spilled on one of my guns. I wiped it off but the solution ate through the finish like you wouldn't believe. It's highly corrosive when it comes in contact with metal but in the situation you're using it in, that shouldn't be an issue.

One other method you might try is using a 1 gallon pail or bucket, suspending a cut out clorox bottle bottom over it with small holes or slits cut in the bottom. Put the calcium granules in the clorox bottle bottom and it'll save you from having to empty the containers as often. Keep an eye on it for a while to see the rate of fill - believe me, it pulls A LOT of moisture from the air.

The moisture will react with the calcium and drip into the bucket, so the chemical will dissolve, but I still think a 50 pound bag will last you at least a year. When you empty the water/calcium solution, you might want to dump it in a dirt section of your yard - not sure it'll be okay for plants

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

Get several bags of Bentonite clay. We got ours from our local co-op in 50# sacks.

They absorb many times their weight in water, can be used to seal leaks in ponds, in cement, and have a host of other rural and farm uses.

I bet they'd help keep moisture down in a closed area.

When saturated, you can spread it out in the sun for a while and reuse.

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

10:1 ratio. That's why bentonite clay moves foundations....

Re: how to combat humidity in your storage cellar?
 

For simplicity, inertness, and effectiveness,
I would go the coarse silica gel route.

Maybe 25 years ago, I bought a big drum (guessing 200 pounds)
of the stuff from a VWR agricultural chemical supplier in
Oxnard. Don't remember the exact price, but guessing less
than fifty cent a pound at the time. If you don't live in an
agricultural area, there are many industrial chemical suppliers
around, .....
(large containers at much lower than consumer product prices)

For your application I would start experimenting by filling
up a few dozen quart mason jars with the stuff. Use
the lids, but poke a bunch of nail holes in 'em. This so
you don't have to sweep up the granules if an open jar
got knocked over. I'd try quart size because then it would
be easy to remove the lids and put the jars in an oven
at about 300F for an hour or so, to recharge (dry out) the
granules.

In the old days, I went to the library and used the
Thomas Register (occupied a whole shelf) to search for
anything industrial. These days I use ThomasNet.
Requires registration, but it's free, or least it used to be.

dtnwn
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quick Thomas search-
150 pound drums
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or depending on your situation, possibly....
epoxy water seal