I am about to lose my storage space in our spare room, and my wife is cleaning out some space in the garage storage cabinets. She would like to move my scuba gear from our spare study room to the garage.
I had heard due to temperature and chemical issues that the garage may not be the best place for wetsuits and the rubber for the BC. Any thoughts?
Who stores their gear in the garage v. who stores their gear in the house?
Thanks.
jar546
October 28th, 2011, 08:22 PM
In SoCal, why not? Is your garage vented? Should not be a problem as long as you have airflow
TSandM
October 28th, 2011, 08:51 PM
The only thing that really ought to stay out of the garage is latex seals.
Tigerman
October 28th, 2011, 08:54 PM
"Depends on the garage"...
In my dads garage I definetly wouldnt as its full of motorcycles and the various tools and chemicals involved in restoring and making them look pretty.
Not to mention it would probably end up under a pile of bike parts and/or tools as well :p
kjvander
October 28th, 2011, 08:59 PM
mine is in the garage....but then my garage is more of a storage area than it is a real garage...plus it is insulated and drywalled....just not heated...so it depends on your garage and what's in there.
SeaCobra
October 29th, 2011, 07:00 AM
if all you own will fit in the space cleared out by your wife in a storage closets, I'd say you will be fine. Mine was a little upset when she discovered the storage bottles, cascade and gas blending system in the garage, but she got over it. As others have said, it is not the garage itself that is the issue, but what else is in the garage. Since my garage, or as my girls call it, man cave, is finished and I do not store chemicals, solvents, the car, etc. in there. All is good.
Jeff
jar546
October 29th, 2011, 08:52 AM
if all you own will fit in the space cleared out by your wife in a storage closets, I'd say you will be fine. Mine was a little upset when she discovered the storage bottles, cascade and gas blending system in the garage, but she got over it. As others have said, it is not the garage itself that is the issue, but what else is in the garage. Since my garage, or as my girls call it, man cave, is finished and I do not store chemicals, solvents, the car, etc. in there. All is good.
Jeff
Smart man
awap
October 29th, 2011, 10:25 AM
Garages in TX are hot. OK for tanks and weights (and lawn mowers and cars). The rest of my scuba gear enjoys the comfort of heating and AC. The garage would probably be OK for the washer & dryer. That space might fit a small scuba gear cabinet.
Akimbo
October 29th, 2011, 11:59 AM
There is my understanding:
Combustion generates a cocktail of vaporous products that chemically attacks many of the resilient materials used on diving gear. Vehicles not only produce combustion byproducts that linger in your garage, but also off-gas fumes from fuel and lubricants. To make matters worse, the DC electric motors produce ozone which also attacks these materials.
Latex used on drysuit wrist and neck seals are especially sensitive. Silicon is probably the least effected. Other sources of harmful vapors common in garages include:
Stored chemicals like paint thinner, acetone, and some household cleaners
Oil, natural gas, and propane fired water heaters, dryers, boilers, and furnaces
Brush style electric motors (ozone)
Heat can also degrade these materials in hot climates. How long to cause damage that you can detect is huge variable. Store cylinders and weight belts in the garage and try to locate all products with resilient material elsewhere.
RonFrank
October 29th, 2011, 12:37 PM
It depends on your garage as Latex (drysuit seals, wetsuit seams) for example does not mix well with other solvents. If your garage is rather 'normal' you should be fine. If you work with wood (solvents) or are a gear head (gas, grease, oil) you may want to store the wetsuits/drysuits/BC's elsewhere. However most can still be stored in the garage if you do so in a large Rubbermaid container as they are not airtight, but likely seal well enough to provide protection. You could also buy a small storage locker. The more expensive the more better. If you garage is toxic, your best off with an airtight storage solution.
scubafanatic
October 29th, 2011, 01:44 PM
Garages in TX are hot. OK for tanks and weights (and lawn mowers and cars). The rest of my scuba gear enjoys the comfort of heating and AC. The garage would probably be OK for the washer & dryer. That space might fit a small scuba gear cabinet.
Agreed about TX garages being hot (certainly during summer at least). Due to space constraints, I've had to prioritize what gets stored where:
My garage is pretty clean with no real concerns about fumes from any volatile chemicals/gasoline....my main concern is summer heat, I keep the garage door open a little and attic door open a bit so hot air can rise from garage into attic somewhat......haven't noticed any real deterioration in the garage stored neoprene items or the BC's.
Jim Lapenta
October 29th, 2011, 01:58 PM
As long as it is not near any solvents, petroleum products, and temp extremes it should be fine. I don't have a garage and so my gear is stored in my home office/service area and on a large rack in my bedroom. As well as in the kitchen, living room, etc. Living alone does, at times, have it's plusses.:D
Tigerman
October 29th, 2011, 02:17 PM
Wont disagree with you there Jim..
Being able to store whatever you like, wherever you like, without any objections IS convenient :D
diver257a
October 29th, 2011, 08:21 PM
Another issue should be considered when storing scuba equipment is the broad topic of wildlife. 2 examples follow.
Spiders - during gearing up for a number of dives, I have seen these animals crawl out of wetsuits & dive bags whose owners use garden sheds for storage. It is a good idea to have a look before sticking a leg or an arm into a wetsuit.
Cockroaches - a dive buddy who once lived in northern Australia complained about these guys eating the skirts off silicone masks. This is another reason for retaining and using the boxes that are supplied with many brands of mask.
FYI, I store all of my gear inside the house because of temperature range, chemical, cleanliness and security issues. In particular, wetsuits (when dry) hibernate in the wardrobe during winter while the drysuit (& undergarment) lives in a large plastic box (with lid) behind the master bedroom door during the summer.
freewillie
October 30th, 2011, 02:03 AM
Thanks for all the input. The garage has built in cabinets which should help offset some of the heat. SoCal can get little hot at times but not like Tx. I don't have solvents or chemicals, and the only car fumes are to get the car in and out for driving.
I haven't really told my wife about some of my new purchases but she didn't blink when she saw my new dive light. She actually asked me the other day why I haven't bought regs yet!! I don't think she knows what the cost of Atomic T2x regs are!!
Masks are kept in the cases, the BC is laid flat along with wetsuit, and any spider or other bug better not be in the foot pocket when put the booties on!
Appreciate all he input.
Tigerman
October 30th, 2011, 12:26 PM
Make sure she dont GET to know what the price of them are and buy them :p
wtcreaux
October 30th, 2011, 03:50 PM
Agreed about TX garages being hot (certainly during summer at least).
My garage was big enough that I enclosed a 3' wide by 7' long section along a wall, finished it out and have a small window AC unit in it to make a temperature/humidity controlled room with the blessings of my wife as she now stores some clothes there also. Total cost was ~ $600 including $129 for the AC.
Temps in my garage were as high as 120 this past summer. In my closet - 70 degrees.
melanie.
October 30th, 2011, 04:06 PM
My garage was big enough that I enclosed a 3' wide by 7' long section along a wall, finished it out and have a small window AC unit in it to make a temperature/humidity controlled room with the blessings of my wife as she now stores some clothes there also. Total cost was ~ $600 including $129 for the AC.
Temps in my garage were as high as 120 this past summer. In my closet - 70 degrees.
Wow that is dedication. I cringe at turning on the AC for just a bedroom, never mind making a whole room and keeping it cool specifically for dive gear! Awsome :)
Tigerman
October 30th, 2011, 04:17 PM
Im careful with AC in the bedrom too, but thats because I tend to get stuffed up if its running all night. And then I have to abort a dive because I cant equalize and then the others see a whaleshark or something and I miss out and then...
You get the drift :p
melanie.
October 30th, 2011, 04:22 PM
Im careful with AC in the bedrom too, but thats because I tend to get stuffed up if its running all night. And then I have to abort a dive because I cant equalize and then the others see a whaleshark or something and I miss out and then...
You get the drift :p
Your excuse is much better, I'm just cheap! LOL, and a wuss to cold
smorneau
October 30th, 2011, 04:32 PM
How about storing tanks in freezing temperatures? Is it OK to leave them in the garage in the winter?
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
dmoore19
October 30th, 2011, 04:45 PM
When it gets right down to it, the answer is, it depends on where your wife will let you store it. Mine still lets me store mine in the guest room. Of course I don't have any tanks, but if I did by God my stuff would still be store inside (putting foot down) maybe. :D
Only in America s it possible to have a $30,000 car parked outside because the garage is full of junk.
wtcreaux
October 30th, 2011, 05:40 PM
Wow that is dedication. I cringe at turning on the AC for just a bedroom, never mind making a whole room and keeping it cool specifically for dive gear! Awsome :)
Well..........we also store her cokes and my beer.......maybe a few other things ;)
diveprof
October 30th, 2011, 06:30 PM
Garage is ok unless petro/solvents are involved. I agree with being sure "wild life" is not making a home in your gear - nothing like seeing a spider on the inside of your mask at 80' to encourage you to take additional precautions (yeah, been there done that :) )
diveprof
October 30th, 2011, 06:36 PM
[QUOTE=Jim Lapenta;6099261]As long as it is not near any solvents, petroleum products, and temp extremes it should be fine. I don't have a garage and so my gear is stored in my home office/service area and on a large rack in my bedroom. As well as in the kitchen, living room, etc. Living alone does, at times, have it's plusses.:D[/QUOTE
Ahh, Love the smell of neoprene in the morning! :)
Tigerman
October 30th, 2011, 07:33 PM
Garage is ok unless petro/solvents are involved. I agree with being sure "wild life" is not making a home in your gear - nothing like seeing a spider on the inside of your mask at 80' to encourage you to take additional precautions (yeah, been there done that :) )
Time for some mask drills :D
