Storing Comics in the Basement | CBCS Comics

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarthLego
I seen somewhere on the CGC board where it was mentioned they had a case of staples in slab mysteriously rusting. CGC's answer was that the fire proofing of the safes these books were kept in was causing a reaction that was rusting the stables. But I'm not taking CGC's word for nothing.

The "fireproof" safe concern is based in both myth and truth. Some fireproof (fire resistant) safes are not good for paper collectibles, specifically those that have some form of liquid insulation designed to keep valuables below warranteed temperatures in the event of a fire based UL testing. Those with liquid insulation can sweat in a variety of environments, and that sweating can't be good as it raises the relative humidity inside the safe (some smaller, lower end Sentry safes employ this technique or did so in the past based on personal experience). Note: My distrust of this type of small safe decades ago forced me to remove books and sell the safe before any damage was done.

The best fireproof/resistant safes don't use liquid, but rather employ a drywall type of material that doesn't sweat or steam until extreme external heat is applied. These safes are usually data grade (lowest UL tested temp.) which are the best for protecting paper as they maintain lower temperatures in the case of an actual fire. My best example would be Phoenix data grade safes, but there are probably others that would meet the necessary criteria.

If one is looking into fireproof/resistant safes, there is no reason for paranoia as long as you do the research and employ logical safeguards such as monitoring temperature and humidity levels with appropriate gauges and using silica desiccant to keep the internal humidity levels of the safe at around 50% or lower. Room temperature (60 to 75 degrees) and balanced humidity (40 to 50%) should not be harmful for book storage. When humidity is too low there may be risks to paper drying out and too high may pose a risk to staplrs (rust).

Some folks have expressed concerns about long term paper storage in fireproof/resistant safe have hypothesized that chemicals used in the construction of these safes may pose a threat to paper preservation, but without evidence to support this idea it will remain in the urban legends category.

All of the views expressed above are my own, based on personal experience. There may be other viewpoints equally valid.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxbladder
Another issue with basements is bugs, like silverfish. Silverfish love paper and they like the cooler temperatures of basements.

Edgar Church kept his collection in his basement.

Collectors have to do their due diligence in making sure that their homes are pest free especially in areas where paper collectibles are stored in boxes or on shelves. All manner of bugs like paper (silverfish termites, moths, mites, etc.) especially when combined with humidity. This is another area where encapsulation and safes add extra layers of security in protecting valuable comics.

9 years ago

COLLECTOR 20.52K	20.52K DarthLego private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	@CatmanAmerica Great info! Quote: Originally Posted by MetalPSI Oh, that's Celsius BTW. I'm Canadian. We are into metric voodoo up here. And racing beavers for sport. Both types, you perv Please convert to Fehrenheit for us pesky 'Mericans
	9 years ago	Post 27 • IP flag post

Collector 4.49K	4.49K MetalPSI private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	Room temperature in Canada is around 27 degrees. Catman is working in Fehrenheit for your ease of reading.
	9 years ago	Post 28 • IP flag post

I'll probably wake up constipated. 20.1K	20.1K Pre_Coder private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	I have a question concerning fireproof safes. I have no interest in acquiring one, and this may be a dumb question due to my lack of education on the matter, but I want to throw it out there anyway just for curiosity.... If these safes are fireproof, then are they also air tight? If so, then what about the off-gassing from the books inside? The gasses have nowhere to go and will just concentrate inside the safe with the books. Does a person just open the safe door once a week (or month) and let things air out,... or is this even an issue?
	9 years ago	Post 29 • IP flag post

COLLECTOR 20.52K	20.52K DarthLego private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 4
	Fireproof safes are not air tight.
	9 years ago	Post 30 • IP flag post

I bought a meat grinder on amazon for $60 and it's changed my life. 27.13K	27.13K kaptainmyke private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	wait, how do i know if my safe has material made of liquid or not? i use a sentry digital keypad (4 AA batteries) and stack my most valuable books over $500 should i keep my comics at the bank safety deposit boxes? what is best? just home insurance and hope for the best?!
	9 years ago	Post 31 • IP flag post

COLLECTOR 20.52K	20.52K DarthLego private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 2
	Brainstorm! Why the heck hasn't any of these companies designed a comic book specific safe? A safe with an interior sized like a graded short box and a door that's on top and swings upwards would be perfect.
	9 years ago	Post 33 • IP flag post

Collector 31	31 brianscotch private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	Quote: Originally Posted by DarthLego Brainstorm! Why the heck hasn't any of these companies designed a comic book specific safe? A safe with an interior sized like a graded short box and a door that's on top and swings upwards would be perfect. time to go on shark tank!
	9 years ago	Post 34 • IP flag post

Collector 66	66 BrotherKenneth private msg quote post Address this user	plus 1 plus 1 plus 1 0
	Hi everyone. New here but this isn't the thread for intros. Basements flood. Even finished ones. I had an unfortunate experience with that. On the fireproof subject, A legal size fireproof filing cabinet will hold 2 rows of unslabbed comics side by side in a drawer. I have one that I'm cleaning up for some of my books.
	9 years ago	Post 38 • IP flag post

Storing Comics in the Basement699