Humidity???

Phil
Super Stamp Bear

Posts: 841

Location (Country): USA

Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 9:45:24 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Phil on Sept 12, 2018 9:45:24 GMT -5

I won't get into all the details but we just moved into a rent house last week. Now anyone familiar with the Southern US knows how humid it is here in Louisiana.
Well this house definitely has air conditioning issues and the humidity is quite present inside. Obviously, I'm very concerned with my collection, which I haven't moved yet.
We got a cheap temperature/humidity gauge from Walmart and it's registering around 55% humidity in the house.
My question is with this much humidity, is it safe for my stamps? Now in an earlier house of mine, that went through a flood a couple of years ago and my stamps stayed in there the whole time (upstairs of course) and I didn't noticed any damage then.
Am I being overly concerned or is 50%+ humidity OK for stamps?

See My Stamps - Stamp Galleries and Images

angore Master Stamp Bear Posts: 1,572	Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 9:55:10 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by angore on Sept 12, 2018 9:55:10 GMT -5 I see museums like 45 to 55% RH and on the cool side (max 72 F).
	Last Edit: Sept 12, 2018 9:58:19 GMT -5 by angore

mdroth Super Stamper Posts: 85	Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 11:18:58 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by mdroth on Sept 12, 2018 11:18:58 GMT -5 55% is ok - but you're on the edge. I take all of those little silicon packets that come out of boxes when you buy clothes etc & stick them in corners in my stamp cabinet - they help absorb excess humidity & regulate the climate.

JanetC Global Moderator Stamp Bears Supporter Please send heat,,,too darn cold down here. Posts: 3,973 Location (Country): San Angelo, TX USA	Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 11:44:53 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by JanetC on Sept 12, 2018 11:44:53 GMT -5 I try to keep my hobby room at about 45-50% humidity. If it drops and starts getting dry I have a humidifier that I can turn on. I also use the silicon packets in the bookcases.
	WW Collector - Almost anything and everything

crazyquilter Global Moderator Posts: 6,764 Location (Country): Michigan	Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 11:55:17 GMT -5 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by crazyquilter on Sept 12, 2018 11:55:17 GMT -5 I use damprid and have a dehumidifier. This room is 45% Don't need stamps sticking together
	Last Edit: Sept 12, 2018 11:56:12 GMT -5 by crazyquilter I am a used World wide stamper. Always have been and always will bee.

Gordon Lee Stamp Bears Posting Guru Stamp Bears Supporter I like stamps for the thrills, chills, screams, and laughs. Posts: 2,663 Location (Country): Roanoke, Texass USA	Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 13:12:43 GMT -5 crazyquilter likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Gordon Lee on Sept 12, 2018 13:12:43 GMT -5 Greetings Mr. Phil . I keep my thermostat set at 52% humidity. Not a problem. . Respectfully, Gordon Lee

khj
Administrator

Stamp Bears Supporter

Posts: 9,897

Location (Country): USA

Humidity??? Sept 12, 2018 14:08:05 GMT -5 Gordon Lee and JanetC like this

Quote

Post by khj on Sept 12, 2018 14:08:05 GMT -5

When you're within 100 miles of the coast, keeping good air flow is just as important as the humidity. Even if the A/C is not running as well as you like, it is important that it does cycle on/off regularly. Keep your mint stamps in glassines, mounts, or vario-type stockpages, and that will keep them from curling.

Also, there is are temperature/pressure issues, not just humidity. It is relative humidity, so there's still a lot more total moisture in the air when the temperature is higher. Also, gum gets softer with increasing temperature. This is the bane of mint stamps. Just makes sure none of your mint stamps are stacked laying flat (i.e., keep your albums upright), and make sure the albums in the bookcase are not tightly packed (horizontal pressure of too many albums crammed can also created long-term pressure on the gum).

EDIT -- sorry, I left out the all important "not" in the last paragraph. 3669160923

Last Edit: Sept 12, 2018 17:33:44 GMT -5 by khj

Post by Phil on Sept 12, 2018 9:45:24 GMT -5

Post by angore on Sept 12, 2018 9:55:10 GMT -5

Post by mdroth on Sept 12, 2018 11:18:58 GMT -5

Post by JanetC on Sept 12, 2018 11:44:53 GMT -5

Post by crazyquilter on Sept 12, 2018 11:55:17 GMT -5

Post by Gordon Lee on Sept 12, 2018 13:12:43 GMT -5

Post by khj on Sept 12, 2018 14:08:05 GMT -5

Google Search

Thread of the Week

Announcements

News