Safe temp for storage (1 Viewer)

[BLReed]

I'm not as concerned with the issue as the packing materials don't deteriorate. Moreover, it's not a question of enhancing value on eBay but also a practical question if you move. It's a lot easier and safer to move toy soldiers if you have the boxes than if not.

There are many types of boxes to use that are a lot safer. Some I've seen on this forum. Metal briefcase things.
There are some very good packing companies that specialize in valuables. I don't have to nickel and dime it.

 

[Larry Allen]

Morning Mr. Z,

There may be a lot of extra spaces in your house that you might not even be thinking about.

I store most of mine under the beds in guest rooms and such. You can purchase "under the bed" storage boxes that will keep them clean and safe. Some have clear tops so you can easily identify what is in the box. Some are cardboard, some come in hard plastic and some in a soft zipper plastic.

If you have a diorama table(s) you can hang a nice drape around the table and store boxes under the there. I have the remainder of mine under the table that the diorama is currently occupying.

If you do use the attic, I might suggest that you use a simple fan in the widow during HOT summer New England days. Here in Maine they are few and far between.

--- LaRRy

 

[ucla1967]

Zach,

I have been up in my attic in the summer when the temperature was about an unbearable 130 degrees. Last year, I replaced both of my dual zone air conditioning and heating systems; the air ducts in the attic which were silver plastic covered foam tubes had broken down and their duct taped seams had failed due to excessive heat. They had deteriorated so bad that I had to replace them with new metal insulated duct work. I have my boxes scattered about the climate controlled interior of my house in various closets. Since we have a 5.6 kilowatt solar array on our roof, I run the air conditioning for about six months a year or whenever I need to maintain 70 degrees. I also have a storage space I rent which holds about an equal number of boxes.

However, that being said, a number of responses indicated that their attics were just fine. Maybe our southern California attics are hotter than those found in the rest of the country. I just know that my attic is the last place I would store my boxes.

Mike

 

[zblang]

thanks for all advice and input - I've decided to play it safe both with breakdown and fire potential and move them to the basement

 

[BLReed]

..I've decided to play it safe both with breakdown and fire potential and move them to the basement

Oh no. The BASEMENT!!!

 

[zblang]

Haha! but at least he won't ruin the boxes!

 

[hotel3alpha]

Gents,

SUPER interesting thread! Here are a couple of tips from a concrete, construction point of view that I might add:

ZB Lang-I got a basement too and yes I did not want that musty, dusty feel or smell. So, I reached out to our Mira Cote rep and he suggested I treat my concrete walls with a product called Aqua Block. Google it and read the tech data sheet. I sprayed the basement walls and the entire foundation with it. Also, I have a metallic epoxy floor in the basement. But the first coat of epoxy was a 100% solid epoxy moisture block. It stops the moisture vapor permeating through the crete. Just a thought and doing those two things has made our basement dry and fresh.

Mike-when we built our home here in Texas we had expanding foam insulation put in the attic, west facing walls, garage ceiling and I paid extra for the basement to be done. Brotha, my attic is the same temp as the house in the summer and luke warm in the winter. I could leave the attic door open and feel a minimal difference from air conditioned space to attic space. It is the JAM! I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend getting the spray foam insulation done in any and all houses and here is why:

March Bill for utilities (lights, HVAC and natural gas): $172

I am blessed to be in a 6K+ square feet crib and we paid extra for all LED lights too. We plan to a put solar powered pool soon that will be "off Grid" from the house and run on its own. I had a heat stroke in a Texas attic once in my life and will never forget that one. So, yeah HOT attics are dangerous and though I know they get hot in Cali...NEVER go into a attic in Texas for more than 5 minutes...you will die.

All in all, my best success in storing figures and boxes has been big plastic bins that have sealed toppers. Keeps the dust out, protects against water penetration AND keeps the critters out...especially the chewing kind.

I'm telling you guys there are a few products out there that can make a world of difference in energy and construction efficiency. One day I will tell y'all about my scorpion phobia and what I did to my house during construction to keep them out...Scorpions...UGH!

John from Texas