Gun Vault

[rockwood75]

Got a question for you; hopefully somebody has the answer! Recently (two years ago) I built a new front porch on my old house. I poured 8" walls on a 6" thick foundation/floor roughly 7' 6" tall with a 6" thick ceiling. The footprint is 2'8"x6'8". Coated the outside with foundation coating and installed drain tile which is daylighted to the drainage ditch. Installed 2" of polystyrene on the inside and foamed all the small cracks, etc. Also installed a fireproof exterior door accessed into the existing block basement. Coated the floor with epoxy paint. I've got a 45 pint dehumidifier in the vault which, IMO, is way overkill. This is my vault where I store all my rifles, pistols, shotgun, reloading presses and other equipment.

Now for the question, why won't the dehumidifier stop running? Literally runs nonstop!

I bought a new dehumidifier to see if that may be the problem, no dice. I live in WI, very changeable weather but quite dry the last couple weeks as well as quite warm considering we are into the fall months. Just epoxied the floor 2 weeks ago. Water based epoxy. Maybe that's it, I don't know. I didn't"t set up the vault until after the epoxy cured. I would think the water would have dried out completely by now. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[LarryDScott]

1. By chance, have you previously run a dehumidifier in the basement prior to adding the vault ??

2. Is the dehumidifier in the vault still pulling as much water now(for same time period) as when you began running it??

3. Do you have the vault door closed, if not it maybe pulling from the entire area. Larry in western Ky.

 

[X Ring Accuracy]

Did you put poly under the slab before pouring the concrete? It will let moisture pass readily if no vapor barrier. Just a thought

 

[rockwood75]

I've always run a dehumidifier in the basement prior to the vault. Actually, just yesterday I did notice that the amount of water being pulled has slowed somewhat. Vapor barrier under slab in the form of polystyrene. Door was closed until temps started to get too high for powder storage, now I just leave the door cracked a little.

 

[Taildrag15X]

What is the humididity level? Room temperature?

If leakage through the walls, floor or cracks is the cause then keeping the vault pressurized is the answer, if keep just above soil gas pressure it will minimize entry of water vapor and or Radon.

It's less economical and effective to use a dehumidifier verses a split system air conditioner when trying to control humidity, as you have found there is heat produced by the dehumidifier that will not dissapate in a small enclosed environment.

 

[Waskawood]

This is probably really stupid but I never let it stop me before. Is it possible that given the really small space that the dehumidifier is evaporating the water in the dehumidifier tank. Kind of a continious circle?

 

[Taildrag15X]

That can be one of the problems of not knowing the actual humidity level to start with, it does happen, plus the room temp. goes up and more of the pan is evaporated by the warmer dry air.

Ideally if using a humidifier in a small space it's best to use a condensation pump to explel the waste/drain water out of the dehumidified area.

Good call there Waskawood, wan't a stupid question at all!

 

[spclark]

Vapor barrier under slab in the form of polystyrene. Door was closed until temps started to get too high for powder storage, now I just leave the door cracked a little.

White "beadboard" polystyrene insulation is quite porous, not at all an effective vapor barrier. Used for insulation it's a decent product if protected from the elements (not exposed to daylight or weathering) but needs a non-porous (polyethylene sheeting is most commonly used) vapor barrier on the side towards the "conditioned" space. Under a floor slab the beadboard usually goes on top of pea gravel fill, then the polyethylene sheet goes on to between the 'board and the slab. If used inside walls or under a finished floor on top of a slab, the vapor barrier still goes on the conditioned side otherwise moisture can become trapped & will cause problems.

If the vault heats that quickly from nothing more than the heat out of the dehumidifier, you're pulling moisture out of wherever it can be had all the time. Warm air can hold more moisture than cold, and water vapor is lighter than air. Leaving the door ajar will tend to draw in air thru the door... besides, why have a vault if the door's open all the time?