Moving and need advice

[Justin727]

Long time no see INGO!

I sold my house and bought some property with a garage on it. I intend to build a house eventually but for now I plan to live in the garage which has 900 Sq ft of living space above it. I am having a hard time deciding where it makes the most sense to store my safe and ammo.

The first level (garage) is all cinder block construction, no insulation, heated by a wood stove, no A/C currently but I plan to purchase a window A/C unit. i am concerned that the fluctuating temps in the garage will create a moisture issue for my guns.

The second floor is insulated and heated by a pellet stove or a gas furnace but I plan to use the stove primarily. It is cooled by a window A/C unit.

Forgetting all of the other factors, I would like to keep the safe in the garage. I intend to build a portion of the workspace in the garage to be centered around guns and reloading and was going to find a creative way to hide the safe in a built in some sort of built in.

What would you do?

 

[boogieman]

I would put it in the garage and put a dehumidifying rod in it. A low wattage light bulb also works to keep moisture out of the safe.

 

[Justin727]

I would put it in the garage and put a dehumidifying rod in it. A low wattage light bulb also works to keep moisture out of the safe.

Ive got the rod in it as well as another moisture device that can be reused.

I wasn't sure if this would be enough but Ill try it and hopefully be able to keep the safe in the garage .

 

[Dirtebiker]

Build the safe in under the stairs.false wall/workbench that opens-rolls away?

 

[schmart]

I've had a safe in a completely unconditioned garage before. Just kept lots of desiccant packs in the safe and recharged them every quarter or so. Didn't see any adverse impacts from it and never found moisture on the guns.
--Rick

 

[Justin727]

Build the safe in under the stairs.false wall/workbench that opens-rolls away?

I like this idea and plan to do something like this when I build the house. Unfortunately the bathroom and utilities are built in under the stairs in this building.

 

[Dirtebiker]

I like this idea and plan to do something like this when I build the house. Unfortunately the bathroom and utilities are built in under the stairs in this building.

You can still do a false wall or other camouflage. Lots of possibilities.

 

[Cameramonkey]

My suggestion is to wall off a space for the safe you can condition. (2x4s and drywall are cheap*) Can you wall off part of the downstairs and add a space heater to keep the temps up and scare away moisture this winter until you build the house? The rods are a nice idea for conditioned spaces, but I'm not sure how effective they will be against unconditioned garage space. (I doubt they will be effective) My suggestion is to get the space around the safe conditioned if possible. That probably means a quality space heater with a digital thermostat to maintain a desired temperature, not the cheap ones that just have a dial to choose how randomly warm or cool you want.


I have a spare dehumidifier if it comes down to that. As well as a temperature controlled outlet (LUX WIN100) if you need it for a cheap space heater. PM me if you need either and we can talk. (the LUX is free but the dehumidifier is negotiable)

Barring that, Move the safe upstairs into the conditioned living space and be done with it. Decide which is easier for you; lugging it up the stairs or building a conditioned room for it in the garage.

*since its in the garage, spring for the green, moisture resistant drywall. Its only a couple extra bucks.

 

[bulletsmith]

No real advice here other than if you are going to use desiccant to help insure a moisture free environment, you can't do better than a big bag of silica gell cat litter. Super cheap too.

 

[POB]

And bolt that sucker to the floor to keep it from being tipped on it's back. That is where a thief can get leverage with a crow bar and wedges to access it. Youtube teaches you how to break in.

 

[KittySlayer]

A low wattage light bulb also works to keep moisture out of the safe.

I assume you mean an incandescent light bulb that kicks off some heat rather than the fancy new LEDs. Getting harder to find real light bulbs but you can find some in the appliance bulb section for stoves and fridges.

 

[Farm1]

I had a safe in my garage in Florida.. dehumid rod worked perfectly..

 

[Cameramonkey]

I had a safe in my garage in Florida.. dehumid rod worked perfectly..

How often did it get into the 30s or 40s in your garage down there due to the extreme outside temps?

 

[Sling10mm]

I have used a Golden Rod in the safe in my attached (unconditioned) garage for years and never had an issue with corrosion.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I have used a Golden Rod in the safe in my attached (unconditioned) garage for years and never had an issue with corrosion.

In Indiana Sling? (Sorry, there is no location in your profile)

If so we may have a winner. I just cant see how a simple 12-20W heater can really counteract any extreme temps or humidity levels. (imagine how swampy it gets sometimes in the spring/summer during a good rain)

 

[Sling10mm]

Yep, sorry, should have mentioned that I am in Indiana. I kind of like the dessicant/kitty litter idea that someone mentioned up thread just as a belt and suspenders sort of thing.

Here is a pretty good explanation of how they work...

GoldenRod Dehumidifier. The Best Dehumidifier Reviews Here

 

[Bill B]

I assume you mean an incandescent light bulb that kicks off some heat rather than the fancy new LEDs. Getting harder to find real light bulbs but you can find some in the appliance bulb section for stoves and fridges.

.
60 watt rough duty bulbs can still be found.

 

[edporch]

I personally have used the Golden Rod on a cement slab floor for MANY years and have had no issues.
It's a plug in and forget no hassle dehumidifier.

With the desiccant, being that a typical gun safe isn't air tight, you will have to constantly remember to periodically "recharge" the desiccant.
Which I was of the opinion would get old in awhile.

 

[Justin727]

And bolt that sucker to the floor to keep it from being tipped on it's back. That is where a thief can get leverage with a crow bar and wedges to access it. Youtube teaches you how to break in.

Funny you mention that, I just watched a few videos on that. Pretty crazy how easy it can be done.

 

[Justin727]

In Indiana Sling? (Sorry, there is no location in your profile)

If so we may have a winner. I just cant see how a simple 12-20W heater can really counteract any extreme temps or humidity levels. (imagine how swampy it gets sometimes in the spring/summer during a good rain)

In my current house with a detached garage, I had my safe in the detached garage for a brief period from mid winter to mid spring (in Indiana). I had a heating rod and one of the Stack On "rechargeable" boxes with the moisture pellets in it. This was not enough to prevent moisture. If the temps were steady I was in good shape but we all know how Indiana can be. The wild sings in temps would create an issue.