Basement Sewing Rooms
 

I recently moved my sewing room into the basement-- it's a "walkout" basement-- or at least half of it is (our rented house is on a hill), but it's damp down here, especially during our humid summers. I've got a dehumidifier going, but I'm not sure it's enough; still feels awfully "moist" down here. It doesn't smell mildewy or anything; it's just cold and humid. I'm worried about my fabric.

Wondering what others have done to protect fabric and batting in similar conditions. Thanks.

Our home is built into the side of a hill and my sewing area is also in our walkout basement. However, we don't have any problems (knock on wood) with a musty smell or humidity down there. We moved into this house in January after it had stood unoccupied for 3 years. When we did the walk thru with the realtor, there was a musty smell and it was moist enough that the peel & stick tiles on the floor had come completely loose in the lower level but the bank got 2 large (& expensive!) dehumidifiers and set them up and when we came back for the final walk thru before we put in an offer, the smell and moisture were gone. We were surprised when we came to the house after closing and found that the bank had failed to come retrieve the 2 humidifiers. Lucky us!!! We haven't had to use them again. Do you have the right size dehumidifier for your lower level? Depending on the square footage, you might need more than one.

A friend of ours who installs carpet said to put a moisture barrier down in a basement. It can be installed on the walls and on the floor. It is the red roofing material on a roll. It is like the black roofing roll but it is red. In Home Depot, it is right beside it. I don't know if it is the same as they use under the new floating floors. I guess I will have to find out the correct name for it the next time I go there. Anyway, I have it installed in my family room under the carpet because we are on concrete only in this room. In my basement laundry room, I bought those big rubberish tiles that connect together. They can get wet without damage. I also have a new dehumidifier that pulls 50 gallons of moisture in 24 hours. I am very pleased with it so far. I would not live without that because we installed the old kitchen cupboards down there. They are solid wood. Hope you understand what I mean.

ragamuffin, thanks for the information; pulling up our existing wall-to-wall carpeting is not an option, unfortunately, though the moisture barrier material certainly good to know about should we ever be in a position to replace the carpeting.

auntpiggylpn, i think you're right-- we need a second (and better) humidifier. it-- the moisture and the smell-- seems to get worse with each passing day we proceed into summer. Of course, it's been raining a LOT this week...

Yes, you have had a rainy week! Same here. I think, since you are in a rented property, your only option is going to be a second/bigger dehumidifier. Just one of the realities of east coast living. But I'd love a walkout basement!

Also a fan would be good, just having air movement & circulation helps! I know from experience!! : )

Our house in WA state that we are selling to move back to TX is ICF construction (layer of foam, 10 inches of concrete, then another layer of foam). It is extremely well insulated because of the construction. Our walkout basement is covered with windows and a patio door on the backside and in the side of the hill in the front side. Our house overlooks the Yakima River and mountains, so that's the view from my sewing room The basement temperature stays the same cool year-round, and we have absolutely no humidity problems. My recommendation to anyone who may be planning to build a new house is to consider ICF construction. Our house is 3,314 sq ft (half upper level, half basement level). The entire back side of the house is windows and patio doors, yet our heat/air bill is extremely reasonable.

We live in humid Delaware, but I love my unfinished basement quilting room. I have a couple larger windows with window wells and lots of flourescent lites. No walls so it feels spacious. I use a dehumidifier in the summer to keep things dry and it does the trick. It's too cool for hubby, so I consider it my "menopausal woman cave". I can leave it a mess or clean it up at will, and I have lots of space to spread out. If we ever finish out the basement, I appreciate the tips about the moisture barriers. Happy quilting!

On the plus side....the water you retrieve from the dehumidifier is wonderful for watering your plants. One of my girlfriends has her big watering can under her slop sink and fills it up with the water. Then waters all the hanging plants on her deck.

Ladydukes, as I read your post, I was thinking: well, I should simply moving to (the other) Washington. That's clearly the solution! ;-)

(I love it out there...)

I'll let you know how the DEhumidifier addition goes.