In order to make room in my garage, I needed to move my 6' x 4' Gorilla Rack down into my basement. Is it safe (health wise) to store chemicals in the basement -- as long as they are all sealed? I already stored paint and oil down there for years. I'm not worried about my waxes/polishes/etc, but what about pesticides and weed killers? All OPE gas is stored in outside storage shed. Maybe I'm just paranoid, but I want to keep my family safe. Of course the HVAC is in the basement -- along with gas water heater. The rack is stored well away from any heat source (different room in finished basement). I guess they are all stored indoors in stores, so it shouldn't be any different in our basement?
Chemicals NOT to store in basement?
- Thread starter kkreit01
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Anything with open VOCs I'd worry about like gas. Stuff like paint thinner can take the cold and the cold will actually keep it from evaporating... though temp swings might make it vent.
Aerosol containers give storage instructions, so I'd worry about, say, Roundup (tm) concentrate in a mix-em-up spritz jar.
Aerosol containers give storage instructions, so I'd worry about, say, Roundup (tm) concentrate in a mix-em-up spritz jar.
First and foremost: no combustible liquids/gas in your basement.
(** you already mentioned that you have HVAC and gas water heater in your basement**)
And that includes no gasoline jerry cans of any sort, propane cylinder bottles, 20lbs propane tanks, solvents of any kind, period.
Next, keep all other combustible materials such as oil based paint (even though still in a can, sealed or similar) away from your basement as much as possible. When caught on fire, the smoke will kill anyone due to your HVAC circulating upstairs to the rooms.
Lastly: do not store any OPE engines, gasoline backup power generators, gas trimmers, etc. in your basement.
Play it safe, please take good care.
Q.
I personally would only keep stuff in basements such as laundry liquid, spare bottled water, fabric softener, etc. in basement, and all other relatively dangerous stuff including pesticides, etc. outside in my separate garage.
(** you already mentioned that you have HVAC and gas water heater in your basement**)
And that includes no gasoline jerry cans of any sort, propane cylinder bottles, 20lbs propane tanks, solvents of any kind, period.
Next, keep all other combustible materials such as oil based paint (even though still in a can, sealed or similar) away from your basement as much as possible. When caught on fire, the smoke will kill anyone due to your HVAC circulating upstairs to the rooms.
Lastly: do not store any OPE engines, gasoline backup power generators, gas trimmers, etc. in your basement.
Play it safe, please take good care.
Q.
I personally would only keep stuff in basements such as laundry liquid, spare bottled water, fabric softener, etc. in basement, and all other relatively dangerous stuff including pesticides, etc. outside in my separate garage.
Originally Posted By: Quest
And that includes no gasoline jerry cans of any sort, propane cylinder bottles, 20lbs propane tanks, solvents of any kind, period.
What about 100 lb propane tanks? They vaporize better in warm temps.
And that includes no gasoline jerry cans of any sort, propane cylinder bottles, 20lbs propane tanks, solvents of any kind, period.
What about 100 lb propane tanks? They vaporize better in warm temps.
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Originally Posted By: Donald
What about 100 lb propane tanks? They vaporize better in warm temps.
You must be joking, right?!
I've never seen anyone up north having 100lbs propane tank (stationary type) installed indoor in the basement---more like installed outdoor a certain distance from the building with proper ventilation and sufficient outdoor airflow and such.
While the distance may not be sufficient to keep the building from catching on fire in case the propane tank does, nevertheless, it does help to keep the fire risk low.
Imagine with no airflow (or very little) inside your basement with a 100lbs propane tank and the valve/seal started a small but unnoticeable leak over time.......
Q./
What about 100 lb propane tanks? They vaporize better in warm temps.
You must be joking, right?!
I've never seen anyone up north having 100lbs propane tank (stationary type) installed indoor in the basement---more like installed outdoor a certain distance from the building with proper ventilation and sufficient outdoor airflow and such.
While the distance may not be sufficient to keep the building from catching on fire in case the propane tank does, nevertheless, it does help to keep the fire risk low.
Imagine with no airflow (or very little) inside your basement with a 100lbs propane tank and the valve/seal started a small but unnoticeable leak over time.......
Q./
pesticides and herbicide should be fine if they are sealed.
OK -- so maybe move the oil-based varnishes, stains, and spray paint back out into the garage? I don't have any paint thinner/stripper, nor gas. Maybe also move carb cleaner, PBBlaster back out to garage? It's not near a heat/gas source. The furnace and hot water heater are in a separate room (closed off by 4 walls/door). What about gas treatment (Gumout, Redline, etc)?
Thanks all for your suggestions. I'm mainly worried about long-term exposure/cancer, etc. If the house goes up in flames, we're doomed anyway.
Thanks all for your suggestions. I'm mainly worried about long-term exposure/cancer, etc. If the house goes up in flames, we're doomed anyway.
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