How to Control Moisture in Steel Storage Units
- 1). Install a relative humidity gauge. Relative humidity gauges can be purchased at most hardware stores and are designed to tell you the RH of a particular area. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you keep the RH below 50 percent to avoid many of the problems associated with moisture, and the RH gauge can help you accomplish this task.
- 2). Install a vapor barrier in the steel storage unit. Vapor barriers are membranes with a permeability value of less than 1.0, such as polyethylene film and laminated paper. Vapor barriers should be installed on the warm side of the wall to help prevent outdoor moisture from entering the storage unit and beneath the floor to prevent ground moisture from seeping into the storage unit.
- 3). Place a container filled with a moisture absorbing chemical, such as silica gel, on the floor of the storage unit. Silica gel is available at many grocery stores and industrial chemical supply stores. Note that it is not a good idea to use a moisture absorbing chemical if the storage unit has open windows. This is because the chemical will draw in moisture from the air outside.
- 4). Run an electric light . In small, confined areas, such as closets and storage units, running an electric light (60 to 100 watt bulb) continuously will dry the air and prevent mold and mildew growth.
