Heat and Humidity Questions

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Heat and Humidity Questions

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1Oberfeld
sep 19, 2019, 7:55 pm

My AC will be off for the next two weeks while some foundation repairs are completed at my home. I’ve moved all of the basement books upstairs in case of humidity issues, but I’m worried about the Folio and Easton Press collection on the main floor. With the AC off the room is sitting around 60-70% humidity and about 25 degrees Celsius. Are these conditions enough to cause humidity damage in two weeks? Anything I can do to help prevent damage? I’m planning on getting a large pouch of desiccant for the room.

22wonderY
Bewerkt: sep 19, 2019, 8:21 pm

I don't have air conditioning at all, and live in the very humid Appalachians. Once in a while, I will find mold beginning to attack books, but only in corners where air circulation is poor.

I think your books will be perfectly fine for that limited time.

If you want to be super cautious, you might rent a small conditioned storage room for a month.

3Oberfeld
sep 19, 2019, 8:34 pm

Thanks for the reply. Do you get waves in the text block from the atmosphere changes?

42wonderY
sep 19, 2019, 9:42 pm

Not at all.

5MarthaJeanne
sep 20, 2019, 1:48 am

Those conditions should not really be a problem. A pouch of desiccant won't absorb enough water to make a difference. If you are really worried, buy/rent an electric dehumidifier. However that will raise the temperature, and will need to be emptied at least twice a day.

6melannen
sep 20, 2019, 11:55 am

Same here - I live in coastal Maryland with no AC, and the only problems I've had upstairs are in places with really bad air circulation, and that's after a whole summer of misery. The only issues I've had are mildew, and things like a paperback cover curling if the paperback is just left out for weeks. If the books are well shelved or boxed and you keep fans running (you will want fans running for yourself anyway, I'm sure) you shouldn't need to worry.

7Oberfeld
sep 20, 2019, 12:32 pm

Thanks for the replies. I was pretty concerned as if left a paperback out in the basement after the AC was disconnected and saw the cover curling pretty badly the day after. The upstairs books are all shelved tightly, so I’m glad to hear they should be fine.

8MarthaJeanne
Bewerkt: sep 20, 2019, 4:07 pm

Your basement is probably much more humid than the ground floor. And paperback covers are prone to this as the paper part swells, but the plastic layer on top doesn't. The cover will probably flatten by itself when it dries out again.