Damp cedar closet - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

AbeBarker · 01-19-2008, 09:12 AM

I built this cedar closet six months ago and learned yesterday that the all the garments inside the closet are damp. The closet is in a basement in the Boston area. I've seen many cedar closets in basements before so I didn't think dampness would be an isue.

Any suggestions? I don't want to install a fan in this closet.

philner · 01-19-2008, 09:42 PM

I don't think a fan would work. If there is a high humidity level in the basement it will be very hard to keep it out of the closet. Humidity is very pervasive it wants to seek its own level like water. My sugestion is to 6 mil poly seal the closet( sealing joints in poly),rubber gasket the door, and install dehumidifier in closet. I know this sounds extreme, but I can't think of another solution off hand, unless you lower the humidity level in the whole basement. Phil

Tin Cup · 01-19-2008, 11:34 PM

need more info, photos would be nice

are any closet walls perimeter basement walls?

block/poured walls ?

insulated ?

vapor barrier placement ?

floor?

ceiling?

is there a crawl space next to basement ?

humidifyer on HVAC ? what is it set at ?

return and supply HVAC vents near ?

Tin Cup

Floordude · 01-20-2008, 02:19 PM

Basement = below grade

Ground moisture is going to make it have more moisture then above grade

neolitic · 01-20-2008, 02:26 PM

If it's an older house my first guess would be
no vapor barrier in the floor.
Put down something impervious on the slab
for a week and check.
If it's on an outside wall,
or if there is dampness in other areas...
Different problems.