Storage boxes suitable for loft? Or do I have a bigger issue?

Mark M

Mark M

Mark M

Soldato
Joined
6 Jan 2006
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Location
Newcastle upon Tyne
When I got the Christmas decorations down the cardboard boxes were slightly damp and a few things inside felt slightly damp too. Wouldnt class it as anything major but just assumed it was the heat htting the roof and condensing slightly which made me thinkg I'd just get some plastic boxes to put them back up in but wasnt sure if they need to be as air tight as possible or just any old plastic box will do and allow some air flow inside?

Or, do I have a problem with the moisute/damp levels in there? The house is aroud 25 years old with a small section of the loft boarded out and it has the usual insulation fitted, both in before we moved in but this seems to be the first time Ive notice any moisture in there.

Might it just have been a particular cold day? Im going back up into the loft again at the weekend so I'll have a look at the suit cases and a couple of other boxes and see if there is any moisture present.
 
I've found the 64L really useful boxes are fantastic, pretty much the max size to fit thru the loft hatch and due to how wide they are they spam the beams in the loft perfectly.
 
My dad's got a massive white sheet over the the boxes, a bit like decorators spread over the floor, seems to help
 
Also if they're very cold, then some condensation might have formed when bring them down. Letting them acclimatise to room temperature would help.

If you're feeling actual ingrained damp though it's obviously more than that.
 
I stored about 12 to 15 of these in my loft and they started to get damp so I had to take them out of the loft :(

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Even happens in the home and even unopened Soap powder (cardboard box type), it does attract moisture and most (I assume) keep it in kitchen cupboards/under sink where you boil water/cook .
 
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Cardboard boxes are the worst for loft storage but if you do use it you need to cover each box group in plastic sheeting (decorator cover plastic rolls from toolstation ideal).

The Range or Dunelm Wham Crystal range of plastic storage boxes are great as you get a tight locking lid and they are decently thick, plus pretty cheap. Ikea storage boxes work but the lids always seem loose.
 
Yea it's pretty normal, same happens in our house which is only about 20 years old.

As above, cover things with plastic sheeting, if you are storing things like clothes get those airtight seal bag things.
 
My house is 30 years old and the loft is bone dry. Store lots of cardboard boxes up there and they are all perfect.

Maybe check the loft insulation isn't blocking the air vents from the soffits. Not exactly a fun job though.
 
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