Cards and Humidity

Longshot18 · 09-14-2021, 07:56 PM

So this may seem like a stupid question for some. But I have lived in Az for the last 40 years and as they say "its a dry heat".

Recently moved to N. Virginia, 30 mins away from Blowout Cards which I visited today, but thats another story.

Anyway, the humidity is real. And I have a ton of cards and display cases. To be more specific I do not store cards in safes or Tupperware. I display them on shelves, in cases, etc. I have many wall mounted cases designed for cards.

Not all are encased and sealed. Many are in top loaders with sleeves or one touches.

Questions
*Are the encased/graded cards sealed enough to keep out humidity?
*What about cards that are in toploaders? I have many high $$$$ cards I have not graded for many reasons, but wondering if the humidity has any impact.
* the basement will house the man cave and displays. I have a de humidifier that so far runs all day to get to about 50 percent. The basement is not 100 percent underground and has both walkout patio and a bedroom with 2 windows. Is that sufficient?
* if I put some of those dry packs in cases or near cards on shelves would that help? Cases are not air tight.

Any advice is appreciated, and any insults are probably justified-lol. Im a 53 year old guy who has experienced humidity in travels, but not in everyday living.

rcmb3220 · 09-14-2021, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longshot18

So this may seem like a stupid question for some. But I have lived in Az for the last 40 years and as they say "its a dry heat".

Recently moved to N. Virginia, 30 mins away from Blowout Cards which I visited today, but thats another story.

Anyway, the humidity is real. And I have a ton of cards and display cases.

Not all are encased.

Questions
*Are the encased/graded cards sealed enough to keep out humidity?
*What about cards that are in toploaders? I have many high $$$$ cards I have not graded for many reasons, but wondering if the humidity has any impact.

Any advice is appreciated, and any insults are probably justified-lol. Im a 53 year old guy who has experienced humidity in travels, but not in everyday living.

The humidity will get to them. Keep your house below 50% humidity for the sake of your all the things your house is made from and all the contents within.

Giroux · 09-14-2021, 08:08 PM

You store them outdoors?

Jagsfansunshine · 09-14-2021, 08:15 PM

Yeah I live in South Florida and the humidity in my closet killed the first page of a binder full of old cards despite keeping the A/C super low... The cards in sleeves & top loaders in tuber ware containers were fine. The slabbed cards were also fine. I just bought some dry packets to put in my containers and will switch out once a year.

jplarson · 09-14-2021, 08:21 PM

This is a pretty solid article about keeping books in good condition. Much of it is applicable to cards too. Against best practices, I do keep much of my bulk (not $$$) cards in a basement but it is heated/cooled by my HVAC. I bought a separate dehumidifier set to 50 relative humidity. It has a hose attachment running to a drain so I don't have to empty it out.

https://www.artic.edu/library/discov...rces-for-books

Giroux · 09-14-2021, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagsfansunshine

Yeah I live in South Florida and the humidity in my closet killed the first page of a binder full of old cards despite keeping the A/C super low... The cards in sleeves & top loaders in tuber ware containers were fine. The slabbed cards were also fine. I just bought some dry packets to put in my containers and will switch out once a year.

Interesting I didn't know this was a big deal.

Though South Florida and Northern VA are different animals.

the mesiah · 09-14-2021, 09:49 PM

I mite need to invest in Tupperware ..need some to stop by and sell to my door

Grid · 09-14-2021, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the mesiah

I mite need to invest in Tupperware ..need some to stop by and sell to my door

You can trap moisture inside.

Grid · 09-14-2021, 10:05 PM

If you have issues with moisture in your home, it can effect more than your cards. Mildew, damp carpets, bad smells etc.

You can have a whole home dehumidifier installed for like 2 grand.

the mesiah · 09-14-2021, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grid

You can trap moisture inside.

RustyDawg37 · 09-15-2021, 08:10 AM

Cleveland ohio here. got my basement waterproofed and have a dehumidifier/air purifier set never higher than 50%. Old inefficient HVAC. Cards have been down in the basement here forever. I just opened a box of 1998 Bowman a few weeks ago that I havent touched in years and a bunch were stuck together.

Everything cased seems to be fine though over the years. cards that are prone to bricking, have indeed bricked down there, but no other issues that I know of.

Grid · 09-15-2021, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyDawg37

Cleveland ohio here. got my basement waterproofed and have a dehumidifier/air purifier set never higher than 50%. Old inefficient HVAC. Cards have been down in the basement here forever. I just opened a box of 1998 Bowman a few weeks ago that I havent touched in years and a bunch were stuck together.

Everything cased seems to be fine though over the years. cards that are prone to bricking, have indeed bricked down there, but no other issues that I know of.

Basements are usually the best place for this type of stuff. They are generally cooler, than the rest of your house. And cold air doesn't hold as much moisture as warm air, which helps with humidity problems.

Public service announcement to all, if you have framed photos up. Clear plastic is better than glass for humid areas. Glass can trap humidity and make the photo stick to it. Ive seen this happen to others a lot.

bloodwings19 · 09-15-2021, 09:59 AM

I live in a hurricane zone and a very humid place and most of my cards and memorabilia held up find in a closet. For 2 weeks, I had no power during Hurricane Harvey. The only problem I had was greening on the 1997-98 Topps Chrome BKB and Finest BKB, luckily nothing of value. These were store bought cards from packs back then. I've graded a lot of the 80-90s cards, I've gotten a lot of pretty high results. Some comics do show wavy covers, but when I pressed them, almost all of them got CGC 9.8. I had at one time 10 out of 12 ASM #361 CGC 9.8. All the autograph cards and autograph team basketball/football are have sharp bold ink. All my sports stuff are in the closet, actually only immediate family knows my collection. I've been in the same humidity area house for decades.

mstng99tim · 09-15-2021, 11:53 AM

I live in Pittsburgh and it can get pretty humid here as well. I keep all of my cards and memorabilia in my basement, where it is cooler than the rest of my house. I've never had any issues in the 11 years I've lived here.

TheFrenzy · 09-15-2021, 01:34 PM

Thread had the chance to be titled “Cards Against Humidity.”

Jagsfansunshine · 09-15-2021, 07:04 PM

Hahahaha

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Thread had the chance to be titled “Cards Against Humidity.”

Jagsfansunshine · 09-15-2021, 07:13 PM

Currently renting a place from the 80s on the beach and was renting a place from the 60s a little more in-land -- all the places are a bit damp... Humidity is a tough one down here in houses especially with anything from the 70s and prior as the windows and doors aren't typically sealed the best... But, good call I may invest in one if I decide to buy a house.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grid

If you have issues with moisture in your home, it can effect more than your cards. Mildew, damp carpets, bad smells etc.

You can have a whole home dehumidifier installed for like 2 grand.

hairysasquatch · 11-29-2024, 05:44 PM

Humidity bad.

SleeperCards · 11-29-2024, 06:40 PM

Should have went with "Cards Against Humidity".

jplarson · 11-29-2024, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleeperCards

Should have went with "Cards Against Humidity".

Excellent.

10/10.

BostonNut · 11-30-2024, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairysasquatch

Humidity bad.

Agreed.

SleeperCards · 11-30-2024, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

Thread had the chance to be titled “Cards Against Humidity.”

LOL, I didn't even see you had posted this. I promise I didn't intentionally shamelessly rip you off. Why the hell was this thread even bumped?

09-14-2021, 07:56 PM	#1
Longshot18 Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 1,675	Cards and Humidity So this may seem like a stupid question for some. But I have lived in Az for the last 40 years and as they say "its a dry heat". Recently moved to N. Virginia, 30 mins away from Blowout Cards which I visited today, but thats another story. Anyway, the humidity is real. And I have a ton of cards and display cases. To be more specific I do not store cards in safes or Tupperware. I display them on shelves, in cases, etc. I have many wall mounted cases designed for cards. Not all are encased and sealed. Many are in top loaders with sleeves or one touches. Questions Are the encased/graded cards sealed enough to keep out humidity? What about cards that are in toploaders? I have many high $$$$ cards I have not graded for many reasons, but wondering if the humidity has any impact. * the basement will house the man cave and displays. I have a de humidifier that so far runs all day to get to about 50 percent. The basement is not 100 percent underground and has both walkout patio and a bedroom with 2 windows. Is that sufficient? * if I put some of those dry packs in cases or near cards on shelves would that help? Cases are not air tight. Any advice is appreciated, and any insults are probably justified-lol. Im a 53 year old guy who has experienced humidity in travels, but not in everyday living. __________________ I collect Bronco greats (Elway, Sharpe, Davis, Atwater, Miller, Rod Smith). Also Falcons Julio Jones and Ryan. Hoops- collect Spurs, Kerr, Rodman, Elliott, Barkley, Stockton, Malone. I also LOVE most vintage cards of all sports. Last edited by Longshot18; 09-14-2021 at 08:28 PM.

09-14-2021, 08:21 PM	#5
jplarson Banned Join Date: Nov 2015 Posts: 15,578	This is a pretty solid article about keeping books in good condition. Much of it is applicable to cards too. Against best practices, I do keep much of my bulk (not $$$) cards in a basement but it is heated/cooled by my HVAC. I bought a separate dehumidifier set to 50 relative humidity. It has a hose attachment running to a drain so I don't have to empty it out. https://www.artic.edu/library/discov...rces-for-books Last edited by jplarson; 09-14-2021 at 08:23 PM.

09-14-2021, 09:49 PM	#7
the mesiah Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 5,597	I mite need to invest in Tupperware ..need some to stop by and sell to my door __________________ THE CARD/MEMORABILIA COLLECTION https://www.flickr.com/photos/149024462@N04/albums/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/196556801@N02/albums/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/196511489@N05/albums/

09-15-2021, 08:10 AM	#11
RustyDawg37 Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,034 rusty371	Cleveland ohio here. got my basement waterproofed and have a dehumidifier/air purifier set never higher than 50%. Old inefficient HVAC. Cards have been down in the basement here forever. I just opened a box of 1998 Bowman a few weeks ago that I havent touched in years and a bunch were stuck together. Everything cased seems to be fine though over the years. cards that are prone to bricking, have indeed bricked down there, but no other issues that I know of. __________________ Football Set Needs Below: Turkey Red, Magic, Mayo, Gridiron Kings, Refractors, Topps Gold https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i7C-OoiAGOh9ZYdJsyC4uq7OfRuZNlOD3kf5d1MDqJg/edit?usp=sharing IG: rustyshobbies

09-15-2021, 11:53 AM	#14
mstng99tim Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 919	I live in Pittsburgh and it can get pretty humid here as well. I keep all of my cards and memorabilia in my basement, where it is cooler than the rest of my house. I've never had any issues in the 11 years I've lived here. __________________ Collecting Aaron Donald, Kenny Pickett, Izzy Abanikanda, James Conner, LeSean McCoy, Larry Fitzgerald, Curtis Martin, Dan Marino, Tony Dorsett, & other former Pitt players

09-14-2021, 08:08 PM	#3
Giroux Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: USA Posts: 4,891 cardsgoingup	You store them outdoors?

09-14-2021, 08:15 PM	#4
Jagsfansunshine Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,189 jagsfansunshineman	Yeah I live in South Florida and the humidity in my closet killed the first page of a binder full of old cards despite keeping the A/C super low... The cards in sleeves & top loaders in tuber ware containers were fine. The slabbed cards were also fine. I just bought some dry packets to put in my containers and will switch out once a year.

09-14-2021, 10:05 PM	#9
Grid Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Posts: 12,976 Gridiron-Gladiators	If you have issues with moisture in your home, it can effect more than your cards. Mildew, damp carpets, bad smells etc. You can have a whole home dehumidifier installed for like 2 grand.

09-15-2021, 09:59 AM	#13
bloodwings19 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,971	I live in a hurricane zone and a very humid place and most of my cards and memorabilia held up find in a closet. For 2 weeks, I had no power during Hurricane Harvey. The only problem I had was greening on the 1997-98 Topps Chrome BKB and Finest BKB, luckily nothing of value. These were store bought cards from packs back then. I've graded a lot of the 80-90s cards, I've gotten a lot of pretty high results. Some comics do show wavy covers, but when I pressed them, almost all of them got CGC 9.8. I had at one time 10 out of 12 ASM #361 CGC 9.8. All the autograph cards and autograph team basketball/football are have sharp bold ink. All my sports stuff are in the closet, actually only immediate family knows my collection. I've been in the same humidity area house for decades.

09-15-2021, 01:34 PM	#15
TheFrenzy Banned Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Texan in AZ Posts: 44,115	Thread had the chance to be titled “Cards Against Humidity.”

11-29-2024, 05:44 PM	#18
hairysasquatch Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the Woods, Central NY Posts: 35,680	Humidity bad. __________________ I am going signature-free

11-29-2024, 06:40 PM	#19
SleeperCards Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: The Internet Posts: 16,057 SleeperCards Sleeper	Should have went with "Cards Against Humidity". __________________ This was an incredibly hurtful comment...