conditions in the loft cabinet

[J@mes]

Over the past two weeks I have been monitoring the conditions in my cabinet in the loft to see what effects it might have on my gun.

 

When people say they are putting their cabinet up there, the responses are usually "damp, cold, change in temperature" etc.

 

Using a (works borrowed) calibrated thermometer and relative humidity meter, I have noticed that over the course of the two weeks there has been NO drastic change in the conditions.

 

The meter was reset every day at 17:00 and the results were as follows:

 

Maximum temperature was 17*C

Minimum temperature was 14*C

Maximum Humidity was 59%

Minimum Humidity was 47%

 

This is over the course of two weeks, and although the temperatures stayed the same for the whole time, the humidity dropped after putting a Browning VCi Gunsock over my gun.

 

Comparing this to the living space of the house which has central heating - where at night it drops to 15*C and in the evenings gets up to 23-24*C, to me (although the experiment isn't totally scientific or safe) it appears that there is no issue with leaving the gun in the loft.

 

I am going to keep an eye on the conditions up there though. But with good cleaning practise, the VCI gunsock and a Napier VP90 pad, I dont really expect any rust to form or damage to the wood to occur.

 

Just thought I'd share that with you!

[Mungler]

I am guessing there is no wife or girlfriend on the scene at the moment then?

[J@mes]

I am guessing there is no wife or girlfriend on the scene at the moment then?

 

 

there is

 

but she accepts me. just. tolerates me is more like it

[pair away]

mines been in the loft for around four years now and ive had no problems , ( thats my gun not my wife )

[Beardo]

mine's under the patio (wife not cabinet)

[V8landy]

Do you have enough insulation in your loft?

 

Because with the temperatures you describe in your loft and what you describe in your house (HOT HOT HOT 23 - 24) and the outside temperatures (less than 5) you are losing a lot of heat up through your roof into your loft?

 

Just a thought!

[paul hart]

I fitted carpet in mine and there's no condension at all.

[J@mes]

apart from under the boards I laid (probably around 1/3 of the loft) there is about 18" of insulation up there! about 6" under the boards, which also have carpet on them.

[Landy]

There are worries about putting a gun cabinet in lofts and that is dependent on a few conditions.

 

First is insulation, it can keep heat in and if not aired properly condensation which will cause sweating and moisture buildup.

 

Tiles, certain man made tiles can also do the same.

 

Timbers if damp will also sweat moisture into the loft cavity depending on condition (age) and if they have been treated.

 

I could go on a little more but I think you are wise to test the humidity, but consider it a long term test as both internal and external conditions will change.

 

Couple on things I might suggest though would be moisture absorbing crystals in the cabinet itself.

 

Some conditions to your certificate is that is is raw bolted to an outside wall, Lincolnshire Police. When I moved to Cornwall they accepted the internal chimney wall in reclaimed loft space as acceptable.

[lone wolf]

i keep mine in the loft area but there is vent tiles at the top so plenty of circulating air,and ive had no ill effects on the guns.all the best everyone for 2009.

[Gordon2008]

Good to know cheers. Ive just installed mine in the loft.

 

Im away to order gun sock and napier pad. Have applied for my sgc but still waiting on the polis to get in touch for their visit- bloody frustrating!!!