Humidity and guns....

[YZ-80]

Hi all,

I guess I'm lucky to have this problem as I'm about to move into a new home that I've had built on 33 acres. I have 2 Champion gun safes and 28 long guns, some high-end, some sentimental, etc., but anyway I just had the safes moved to my new basement (not fun). My old basement was finished and dry as a bone. The new basement is not finished and seems to be averaging 60% relative humidity. My question is: What is the percentage of RH that would be considered "normal" and not a concern? I do take precautions with silica gel in the safes, light coat of oil on the guns, etc., but at what point should I consider going a step further and maybe getting a golden rod or dehumidifier? Thanks for any insight.

 

[Frog4aday]

Wow...60%? I'd get the Golden Rods NOW. I'm assuming you have outlets to plug them in down there (in the basement.) For the relatively low cost, you will be protecting your substantial firearm investments. I got away with not have Golden Rods when I lived in Colorado (very dry) but once I hit Mississippi (Biloxi) I had to get them. Humidity is the Devil. That first sign of rust will have you kicking yourself for not acting sooner.

Oh yeah, congratulations on the new house on some acreage! I'm envious.

 

[Deleted member 103481]

Last I looked it up some large firearm museums aim for 50% so that's what I aim for. I have this mini peet boot dryer I really like

 

[YZ-80]

Wow...60%? I'd get the Golden Rods NOW. I'm assuming you have outlets to plug them in down there (in the basement.) For the relatively low cost, you will be protecting your substantial firearm investments. I got away with not have Golden Rods when I lived in Colorado (very dry) but once I hit Mississippi (Biloxi) I had to get them. Humidity is the Devil. That first sign of rust will have you kicking yourself for not acting sooner.

Oh yeah, congratulations on the new house on some acreage! I'm envious.

Thanks, Frog. I'm reading that a good level is anywhere from 35-50% RH for general comfort but that's for me, not my guns! The 60% figure was in the dehumidifier that I just got when I first turned it on so I'm hoping I've pulled it down at least 15% by now. I will monitor closely all blued guns and swab the bores with a patch of oil as well in the interim until I get out to the house permanently in about a month. Yup, it's on 33 acres, 3000 ft off the road and land locked on all sides with woods and Ag preservation land. Part of a 165 acre farm that was divided up. Got 10 acres in Ag and 23 wooded. Food plots are 150 and 260 from the upstairs bedroom windows. Well within range!

 

[Deleted member 48126]

My guns are in a big "gun closet" in my basement in Georgia. My guns are fine. I don't know what the humidity is but they've been down there for a year and no rust.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I live is AZ. That is my dehumidifier. Except during the monsoons....116° and humid sucks. But it is only about a month long.

 

[KyCarl]

I live in Kentucky and this morning the RH is 90%! I run 2 big dehumidifiers all the time
in my basement and try to keep it between 35%- 40%. I haven't had any problems

 

[J E Custom]

Hi all,

I guess I'm lucky to have this problem as I'm about to move into a new home that I've had built on 33 acres. I have 2 Champion gun safes and 28 long guns, some high-end, some sentimental, etc., but anyway I just had the safes moved to my new basement (not fun). My old basement was finished and dry as a bone. The new basement is not finished and seems to be averaging 60% relative humidity. My question is: What is the percentage of RH that would be considered "normal" and not a concern? I do take precautions with silica gel in the safes, light coat of oil on the guns, etc., but at what point should I consider going a step further and maybe getting a golden rod or dehumidifier? Thanks for any insight.

50% and below is considered good. I would recommend spending $10.00 on a humidity gauge and making sure. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013BKDO8/?tag=lrhmag19-20
These things even track the history of when the humidity exceeded or dropped below the desired mark.

If the Humidity stays above the 50% mark, I recommend a dehumidifier, or a small window Air conditioner set on automatic temp control.

On the coast we often have humidities of 70+% so we have to take steps.

J E CUSTOM

 

[YZ-80]

50% and below is considered good. I would recommend spending $10.00 on a humidity gauge and making sure. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013BKDO8/?tag=lrhmag19-20
These things ever track the history of when the humidity exceeded or dropped below the desired mark.

If the Humidity stays above the 50% mark, I recommend a dehumidifier, or a small window Air conditioner set on automatic temp control.

On the coast we often have humidities of 70+% so we have to take steps.

J E CUSTOM

Very good advice! Thanks!

 

[Frog4aday]

An 18" Golden Rod is less than $37 dollars and has a lifetime warranty. Pulls about the same amount of electricity has a night light bulb. A 12" Goldenrod is about $33. Every safe I've had (five of them) had a hole for the wire to go through. The electrical end 'disassembles' so only the electric cord goes through the hole. Then you put the plug-end part back on and plug into an outlet. Then...forget about it! Your guns are protected. Worth the peace of mind...for me anyway. Basements are great, but they aren't (usually) as environmentally stable as the rest of the house. Only takes a day or two of 'high humidity' and...well, it's a bummer. And preventable. For cheap.

 

[Frog4aday]

Thanks, Frog. I'm reading that a good level is anywhere from 35-50% RH for general comfort but that's for me, not my guns! The 60% figure was in the dehumidifier that I just got when I first turned it on so I'm hoping I've pulled it down at least 15% by now. I will monitor closely all blued guns and swab the bores with a patch of oil as well in the interim until I get out to the house permanently in about a month. Yup, it's on 33 acres, 3000 ft off the road and land locked on all sides with woods and Ag preservation land. Part of a 165 acre farm that was divided up. Got 10 acres in Ag and 23 wooded. Food plots are 150 and 260 from the upstairs bedroom windows. Well within range!

Your new property sounds awesome! I want a place with land I can shoot on in the worst way. Going to the local gun range is an exercise in frustration 80% of the time. It's always...something. Besides, it just sounds like peace and quiet for you on your 33 acres being surrounded by non-developed land. Perfect. (And food plots within range of the upstairs windows, lol! That's great.)

 

[YZ-80]

An 18" Golden Rod is less than $37 dollars and has a lifetime warranty. Pulls about the same amount of electricity has a night light bulb. A 12" Goldenrod is about $33. Every safe I've had (five of them) had a hole for the wire to go through. The electrical end 'disassembles' so only the electric cord goes through the hole. Then you put the plug-end part back on and plug into an outlet. Then...forget about it! Your guns are protected. Worth the peace of mind...for me anyway. Basements are great, but they aren't (usually) as environmentally stable as the rest of the house. Only takes a day or two of 'high humidity' and...well, it's a bummer. And preventable. For cheap.
View attachment 142117

This is very helpful information and I will order 2 of them post-haste!

 

[30BR]

I had a 22 Kimber get rusty in its case in the garage which was maintained at 74 degrees inside of 4 weeks here in NC. I was able to clean it up ok, but those non-stainless parts are rust magnets. I also had to opt for the 24" dehumidifier rod for the subsequent safe, as desiccant bags (4) got saturated in weeks, and the 18" rod couldn't keep it below 60%.
Now it hangs around 53%.

 

[Rimneck]

Do you plan to finish out this basement [soon] ?? Goldenrods are good at what they do, but it is possible to over do.