Environment question about a basement table

hang-the-9

hang-the-9

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
We just got our table setup yesterday (yay, wheee! I'll post pics and such soon :D ), it's a bit humid and sticky down there.

I am getting a dehumidifier but does it need to be running full time, all day and night or is just turning it on during the few hours a day we may be using the table OK? Or maybe just during the day or just at night on a timer?
 
hang-the-9 said:
We just got our table setup yesterday (yay, wheee! I'll post pics and such soon :D ), it's a bit humid and sticky down there.

I am getting a dehumidifier but does it need to be running full time, all day and night or is just turning it on during the few hours a day we may be using the table OK? Or maybe just during the day or just at night on a timer?
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If you only turn it on when you play, it's always too late.
If it makes a hum, turn it off WHEN you play....
...otherwise, leave it on.

I got a used dehumidifier 10 years ago for $25...it is only turned off in
the winter.
 
My dehumidifiers (I have two... it's a fairly large basement) can be set to maintain specific humidity levels: 50% 45%, etc. I have them set to 50% all the time. They run a lot in the summer, almost never in the winter (in central New York State.)

You can also get humidity meters just so you know where the room is at. You can get fancy digital ones or cheap analog ones. I got a cheap combo (temp and humidity) from my local Agway for less than 20 bucks. It's not super precise, but I'm not building electronics just curious about the humidity levels (also to prove to my girlfriend that the basement air is drier than the rest of the house. ;))
 
I feel for ya brother. I run mine 24/7. I try to set it so it dosent run constantly, but cycles. This winter, you might not need it on.
 
Technically you don't have to run one at all but 'part time' should be plenty. A timer is good, or if u have a fancy one, you can set it for a target %
 
krupa said:
My dehumidifiers (I have two... it's a fairly large basement) can be set to maintain specific humidity levels: 50% 45%, etc. I have them set to 50% all the time. They run a lot in the summer, almost never in the winter (in central New York State.)

You can also get humidity meters just so you know where the room is at. You can get fancy digital ones or cheap analog ones. I got a cheap combo (temp and humidity) from my local Agway for less than 20 bucks. It's not super precise, but I'm not building electronics just curious about the humidity levels (also to prove to my girlfriend that the basement air is drier than the rest of the house. ;))
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OK, so the other question would be is what would the humidity level target be for a room with a pool table? The installer did say that we'd want to have the cover on when not in use so the conditions are not the best for it. I just don't want my pricy Simonis cloth getting wrinkled or tightened due to temperature and humitity changes. On the other hand, I can't put in a full environment control system in the basement either LOL
 
hang-the-9 said:
OK, so the other question would be is what would the humidity level target be for a room with a pool table? The installer did say that we'd want to have the cover on when not in use so the conditions are not the best for it. I just don't want my pricy Simonis cloth getting wrinkled or tightened due to temperature and humitity changes. On the other hand, I can't put in a full environment control system in the basement either LOL
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I don't have simonis so I'm not going to answer. :) I think no more than 60% would be fine, though.
 
I set mine for 50% here in coastal (i.e. humid) Nova Scotia. Don't need it in the winter, but April - October I run it constantly.

My dad's snooker table actually started to develop little mold spots on it before he started using a dehumidifier.
 
hang-the-9 said:
We just got our table setup yesterday (yay, wheee! I'll post pics and such soon :D ), it's a bit humid and sticky down there.

I am getting a dehumidifier but does it need to be running full time, all day and night or is just turning it on during the few hours a day we may be using the table OK? Or maybe just during the day or just at night on a timer?
Click to expand...

You need Dehumidifier to control mold 1st of which 50% setting is good all day and night, this satisfies your table requirements, also ensure radon level is good where you are, hire a company and if needed install radon ventilator, unless you already tested as part of home inspection..
Enjoy the table.

.
 
I'm in WI, mine is set for 50% and runs continuously for the most part in the summer, actually thinking about adding a second one. The basement stays around 65% according to the gauge on the unit, I am having no problems with my Simonis. It is covered 100% of the time when I'm not playing, we have cats, I don't want fur and pinholes in the cloth. I am sure they would like to use the cushions as a scratching post.
 
Envirement qustion about a basement table

hang-the-9 said:
We just got our table setup yesterday (yay, wheee! I'll post pics and such soon :D ), it's a bit humid and sticky down there.

I am getting a dehumidifier but does it need to be running full time, all day and night or is just turning it on during the few hours a day we may be using the table OK? Or maybe just during the day or just at night on a timer?
Click to expand...

You can not run a dehumidifier part time and expect it to due the job. The air might feel better after it runs for a short time, even just night or day, but it takes DAYS to control the humidity properly. It not only removes the moisture from the air but also the furniture, carpeting, and also your Simonis cloth.

Do your homework ... talk to a professional and have them size the unit you need - small, medium, large ... without overworking the unit. Get a unit that will cycle after the proper level is reached and leave it on. Make sure you don't forget to empty your tank. You can remove the tank and install a drain hose to a sump pump, if you have one, eliminating the need to empty the tank.

Humidity above 50% will cause mold, mildew and breed other undesirable creatures.
Keep it at 50% or slightly lower.

Good Luck!!!
 
14.1 Forever said:
You can not run a dehumidifier part time and expect it to due the job. The air might feel better after it runs for a short time, even just night or day, but it takes DAYS to control the humidity properly. It not only removes the moisture from the air but also the furniture, carpeting, and also your Simonis cloth.

Do your homework ... talk to a professional and have them size the unit you need - small, medium, large ... without overworking the unit. Get a unit that will cycle after the proper level is reached and leave it on. Make sure you don't forget to empty your tank. You can remove the tank and install a drain hose to a sump pump, if you have one, eliminating the need to empty the tank.

Humidity above 50% will cause mold, mildew and breed other undesirable creatures.
Keep it at 50% or slightly lower.

Good Luck!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks good info. I'm guessing I'll need a large one, the basement is open and pretty large. I actually plan on a short video to show the area, my uncle built sort of a stage in the room and I'm going to put a projector there for movies/pool videos.
 
You could also get some dry lock and paint your walls with it....a couple of coats. If you have a concrete floor you could paint that too. It helped our basement out.
 
If I bought Simonis 860, its for the speed needed for 9-ball. High humidity could slow down the cloth, then you might as well use any $99 felt.
 
Had a table for about 5 years, my basement is not finished [ just concrete slab and block walls ] I run dehumidifiers after it its rains really hard but I also put 4 vents it the walls so excess moisture can escape. Never had a problem with mold or excessive moisture. my humidity level runs around 60%. Ventilation helps more than anything .
 
I have 2 dehumidifiers in my finished basement in the Midwest. They are both set at 40%... and it takes 2 of them to get it there. Anything higher feels "damp" to me, and you get a little more "smell".

Plus, it's not just for your table, it's for everything in the basement, including your floors above your basement. If you have hardwood floors upstairs, you don't want your floors absorbing all the moisture your basement is producing.

In the winter, the moisture content goes down tdue to no rain, and/or frozen ground, thus water is not getting into the ground deep enough to enter the basement. My don't run in the winter only because not enough moisture to make them kick on .....

But they are running a good 8 hours each during a 24 hour period, as they kick off and on based on the settings I've chosen.
 
I would think at at 40% wood floors would start drying out an squeak. I think proper ventilation is also very important. multi dehumidifiers can be expensive to run. Get your humity at 50 to 60 % and you should be fine.
 
+1 on the radon testing. It's a good idea anyway, but especaiily if you or your kids spend a lot of time in the basement, whey the levels are higher (if present) .

I had to install a passive vent system and a ERV (air exchanger) to get the levels down.
 
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