I was in the process of finishing my basement (home office, guest bedroom, kitchenette, game/media room) when I found mold on some sheetrock I was about to install. I started looking around and found it under my stairs, all over a couple couches (left), and covering the under side of my shelves in my workshop (right).
I had finally finished my HVAC system and started it up a couple months ago. I guess I got lazy thinking that the new HVAC system would keep the basement dry, and hadn't been monitoring the humidity. Well, with all the rain that we have been having here in GA lately, my basement had apparently been hovering between 70-80% humidity. Even though I had been keeping the temperatures right, the other two components for mold growth (humidity and 'food') were present (I also have WAY too much crap in my shop, especially after adding my dad's tools).
So, fast forward a few days, and I have purchased 2 dehumidifiers (which are in extremely short supply around here right now, btw) and a mold fogger. I have the humidity down to 40-45%, and have blasted my entire basement with Concrobium. All visible mold has been removed from all the studs/stairs/etc. Woo hoo!
Unfortunately, I had to get rid of all of my shelves (well, the actual 'shelf' parts that were particle board - twenty 2'x4' shelves - any suggestions for better replacements are appreciated), and I may have to part with my 8' bench, as it has a good bit of mold, too.
At this point, almost everything has been moved out of my workshop, and I have promised myself that I will be diligent about what gets moved back in. I have decided to finally paint my workshop floor to make it easier to clean, so that will be the next task (starting tomorrow).
Next (and the reason for this post), is that I thought I would take this chance to rethink (or, think about for the first time) my shop layout, and see how I could improve things as I moved stuff back in. I would appreciate any thoughts/opinions.
My shop is basically 20'x20'. The back wall (SE) is concrete, which was covered with my shelves (which is where most of the mold was). The NE wall has a lumber rack and my makeshift bench (which, as I mentioned, may be going), and a set of plastic shelves with some temporary small wood storage. The NW wall has a set of double doors that I added, and the original single door. For good or bad (mostly bad), I usually ended up with my miter saw (12" Bosch on a MSUV stand) in front of the double doors, which I would fold up and put in the space between the doors when not in use. The SW wall has a utility sink , the door to the rest of the basement, a subpanel, and a metal bench. I kept my BT3 table saw somewhere in the middle of the room, depending on the project.
I also have a dust collector, bench drill press, bench band saw, and hand and power tools (routers/bits, circular saws, drills, nailers, lots of construction related tools as that's been about all I've been able to work on the past decade).
I know I could arrange this much better, it's just kind of where things have landed. With surprise twins, the death of 2 parents (MIL and father), homeschooling, and everything else life has thrown at us, shop layout hasn't exactly been a priority. I would like to make it one (or, at least more of one).
Thoughts?
I had finally finished my HVAC system and started it up a couple months ago. I guess I got lazy thinking that the new HVAC system would keep the basement dry, and hadn't been monitoring the humidity. Well, with all the rain that we have been having here in GA lately, my basement had apparently been hovering between 70-80% humidity. Even though I had been keeping the temperatures right, the other two components for mold growth (humidity and 'food') were present (I also have WAY too much crap in my shop, especially after adding my dad's tools).
So, fast forward a few days, and I have purchased 2 dehumidifiers (which are in extremely short supply around here right now, btw) and a mold fogger. I have the humidity down to 40-45%, and have blasted my entire basement with Concrobium. All visible mold has been removed from all the studs/stairs/etc. Woo hoo!
Unfortunately, I had to get rid of all of my shelves (well, the actual 'shelf' parts that were particle board - twenty 2'x4' shelves - any suggestions for better replacements are appreciated), and I may have to part with my 8' bench, as it has a good bit of mold, too.
At this point, almost everything has been moved out of my workshop, and I have promised myself that I will be diligent about what gets moved back in. I have decided to finally paint my workshop floor to make it easier to clean, so that will be the next task (starting tomorrow).
Next (and the reason for this post), is that I thought I would take this chance to rethink (or, think about for the first time) my shop layout, and see how I could improve things as I moved stuff back in. I would appreciate any thoughts/opinions.
My shop is basically 20'x20'. The back wall (SE) is concrete, which was covered with my shelves (which is where most of the mold was). The NE wall has a lumber rack and my makeshift bench (which, as I mentioned, may be going), and a set of plastic shelves with some temporary small wood storage. The NW wall has a set of double doors that I added, and the original single door. For good or bad (mostly bad), I usually ended up with my miter saw (12" Bosch on a MSUV stand) in front of the double doors, which I would fold up and put in the space between the doors when not in use. The SW wall has a utility sink , the door to the rest of the basement, a subpanel, and a metal bench. I kept my BT3 table saw somewhere in the middle of the room, depending on the project.
I also have a dust collector, bench drill press, bench band saw, and hand and power tools (routers/bits, circular saws, drills, nailers, lots of construction related tools as that's been about all I've been able to work on the past decade).
I know I could arrange this much better, it's just kind of where things have landed. With surprise twins, the death of 2 parents (MIL and father), homeschooling, and everything else life has thrown at us, shop layout hasn't exactly been a priority. I would like to make it one (or, at least more of one).
Thoughts?
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