Moving gun safe into garage. Concerns?

[steve126a]

We are redoing my office/gun room into a nursery for our newest addition to the family. This is prompting me to move my safe into the garage. Aside from my worry about my wife leaving the garage door open, what other concerns do I need to be aware of?

My main concern would be heat/cold and humidity.

Is placing the safe on the bare cement slab acceptable?

Would a cold floor affect the safe? My guns?

[JohnJak]

Cement floor and steel do not mix.
I would use a base pad of wolmanized wood to set the safe on.

[7.62 Nato]

Cement floor and steel do not mix.
I would use a base pad of womanized wood to set the safe on.
LOL !

[dab102999]

I would also be concerned about temp variations this time of year. No place else in the house you can hide it for now?. Or are we talking long term storage? And if that is the case as stated I would get it off the floor. Bolt it to an inside wall if possible and oil the snot out of the guns. My brother stored his safe in a trailer for over a year when he first moved up here with all of his guns oiled real good and all worked out for him.

[ΜΟΛΩΝ_ΛΑΒΕ]

How about theft? Ever think of that?

People are always casing homes with open garages to see what is available.

It's doesn't matter where you live, we are all potential victims of theft.

[Sniper21]

How about theft? Ever think of that?

People are always casing homes with open garages to see what is available.

It's doesn't matter where you live, we are all potential victims of theft.
+1

Like I am always telling family who always ask why do I carry and need guns. Robbers and bad guys go to the hood to rob and steal because that's where all the valuable stuff is at ;).

Usually robbers don't just case out a single house. They case the whole block and hit multiple houses on that block in a few days. They only case out a single place if they know you or are told by others all the great stuff you have.

[Mike in Michigan]

There is always a way to do something....if you are willing to make the effort.
1st, security...cover it with something that will make it look like anything but a safe. An insulated (floor-ceiling-walls), armored floor-to-ceiling structure with an insulated steel door will make it look like another access door to the house and will add another layer of security. The insulation will help control temperature and humidity. Add a small vent near the floor and near the ceiling into the interior of the house. That will give it some climate control and further reduce moisture in the enclosure. Don't forget varmint control measures (screen) at the vents.
2nd, secure it to the planet to so no one can simply pick it up and toss it into the back of a truck.
3rd, DON'T BROADCAST ITS EXISTENCE by accessing your guns with the garage door open and don't impress your buddies by showing them what you have. Your buddies may never steal from you but you cannot control who they will tell about it.
4th, a small light bulb, or Goldenrod, inside the safe will keep moisture at bay. Still, you must monitor the interior and contents for humidity on a constant basis until you are sure you have a process that works.

[usmcpaul]

Personally, I just would flat out refuse to do it ( I say this because my wife would not ask me to do it, so I can sound tuff on the internet :biggrin: ). I would instead have her "decorate around it" and keep it in the house.

[ColonelKurtz]

keep it in the house.
:yeahthat:

[xyzijk]

+1
>>"decorate around it" and keep it in the house<<

[sommy]

put your sledgehammers, prybars, saws, etc., inside the safe so you don't make it too easy.

[jm0502]

Heres a garage kept safe.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=621436


Why cant you move it into the basement? If its too big why not sell and and buy a few smaller safes.

[rugersingleshot]

Funny I along with most others in this state have our safes in the basement. We worry about hours of fire protection etc. Our biggest worry should be flooding. It is much more likely that my basement flood.

[bonelessi]

"decorate around it"

Yea just decorate around it :lol:

[bonelessi]

Yea just decorate around it :lol:

Oh yea +1 :)

[JDG]

Dont know about yours, but my garage floor will sweat like crazy in the spring, or during temp swings. Would be the last place I'd want my safe. If you heat your garage, use a couple goldenrods, you may not have a moisture issue, but then there is what everyone else mentioned.

[Cackler]

I have had mine on the cistern in the garage for years (not on floor) and have a heating rod inside. It is not visible from exterior.

I have no issues at all but, I do wish that it was bolted down. One of these years it will be but, I am sort of waiting until I get a bigger safe.

[fyrfytr704]

There have definitely been some good suggestions already, so I will add another two that some may not think of or want to do, but it's up to you.

1. Consider making sure that your homeowner's insurance has enough coverage for all of the guns you'll keep in the safe.

2. Alarm the safe, even if it's just a self-installed one that just makes a lot of noise.

I had my house broken into a while ago and it was not a fun experience. I was lucky to not lose all of my firearms, but I did learn that the value of my guns far outweighed the normal amount of coverage (most are $2,500). My concern with the garage would be that if someone was able to get access to the garage, it wouldn't be hard to get away with the whole safe. Not fun for you!

[jgorski]

I've had my safe in my garage for about 12 years now. I built a concrete slab four inches high, put the safe on it, bolted it down. I insulated the outside walls. Do not insulate the inside walls as this will cause it to sweat. Then I built a small room around it. The room is just large enough to put a few gun cases along side the safe, and the door is the same size as the door on the safe. I keep a golden rod inside the safe, which I check regularly. I used the space over the safe for a storage cabinet for most of my ammo and shooting supplies. I have never had any issues with my guns.

[steve126a]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I moved the safe out to the garage this weekend. I contacted the manufacturer before doing it to see what they suggested. They advised to not place it directly on the concrete (as many of you suggested). They recommended getting a small rubber mat and place it on that to act as a moisture barrier. I went to Lowe's and found a good mat that was plenty big.

Second, they recommended anchoring it to the concrete. My dad came out this weekend with all his tools and we did just that.

Third, they suggested dehydration tools such as the golden rod. Unfortunately at this time, all the electrical outlets in my garage are not functioning (an electrical issue I need to sort out), so in the meantime I have two of the real large rechargeable dessicant canisters. I will be checking them frequently.

I have looked into expanding my coverage for firearms on my homeowner's insurance and will probably be doing that soon.

[10x25mm]

Third, they suggested dehydration tools such as the golden rod. Unfortunately at this time, all the electrical outlets in my garage are not functioning (an electrical issue I need to sort out), so in the meantime I have two of the real large rechargeable dessicant canisters. I will be checking them frequently.

Don't waste your time with Golden Rods. They drive the moisture to the top of your safe and concentrate your rust there. They also require a hole for electrical wiring which defeats your fire resistance. This hole also admits PVC fumes, which are hydrochloric acid and the major cause of gun damage in fires.

Get an Absorbent Industries 750 gram 'Dry-Pack' canister. [www.absorbentindustries.com] They cost about $ 30 at eBay or specialist retailers online. I have been using them for 8 years with excellent results. You should also get RH indicating cards or a battery operated RH indicator. This will tell you when you need to recharge your desiccant canister. I use Desiccare, Inc. humidity indicators [www.desiccare.com]. These are dirt cheap and show your humidity in 20% increments. They are cheap enough that you can put them in each ammo can you put in your garage. 10 gram desiccant packets are adequate to absorb moisture in .30 & .50 caliber ammunition cans.

Recharge your desiccants when relative humidity exceeds 35%. This is done by heating in a 300 F electric oven for three hours. You can also use a vacuum desiccator, but these systems are more expensive and require additional space.

Temperature itself is not an issue for firearms and ammunition. They are quite comfortable at any temperature you will see in your garage. It is the effect of fluctuating temperatures on relative humidity which is the problem. Use desiccants and fluctuations in temperature will not cause RH changes inside your safe.

[illadvised]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I moved the safe out to the garage this weekend. I contacted the manufacturer before doing it to see what they suggested. They advised to not place it directly on the concrete (as many of you suggested). They recommended getting a small rubber mat and place it on that to act as a moisture barrier. I went to Lowe's and found a good mat that was plenty big.

Second, they recommended anchoring it to the concrete. My dad came out this weekend with all his tools and we did just that.

Third, they suggested dehydration tools such as the golden rod. Unfortunately at this time, all the electrical outlets in my garage are not functioning (an electrical issue I need to sort out), so in the meantime I have two of the real large rechargeable dessicant canisters. I will be checking them frequently.

I have looked into expanding my coverage for firearms on my homeowner's insurance and will probably be doing that soon.

I would still make sure you hide the safe the best you can. Bolted to the floor or not, they could still cut into it. You can't steal what you can't find right? Although extravagant, I really liked the idea posted earlier about the false wall and door.

[costanza]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I moved the safe out to the garage this weekend. I contacted the manufacturer before doing it to see what they suggested. They advised to not place it directly on the concrete (as many of you suggested). They recommended getting a small rubber mat and place it on that to act as a moisture barrier. I went to Lowe's and found a good mat that was plenty big.

Second, they recommended anchoring it to the concrete. My dad came out this weekend with all his tools and we did just that.

Third, they suggested dehydration tools such as the golden rod. Unfortunately at this time, all the electrical outlets in my garage are not functioning (an electrical issue I need to sort out), so in the meantime I have two of the real large rechargeable dessicant canisters. I will be checking them frequently.

I have looked into expanding my coverage for firearms on my homeowner's insurance and will probably be doing that soon.
Steve:
Try Eastern Insurance for your gun collection. PGA Playerless turned me on to them. $125 a year for $35.000 worth of coverage. Good outfit.
Regards,
Costanza

[Cmattmc]

I'm with Mike in Michigan, conceal it as anything but a safe. Build and insulated storage cabinet for it with ventilation and something to control the humidity. And by all means get it up off if the floor, the concrete will wick that moisture right to the steel. I would also use moving the safe into the garage as an excuse to get a nice furnace for the garage! Tell your wife that the furnace will not only protect your guns but that she will never have to get into a cold car again!

[DP425]

I'm with Mike in Michigan, conceal it as anything but a safe. Build and insulated storage cabinet for it with ventilation and something to control the humidity. And by all means get it up off if the floor, the concrete will wick that moisture right to the steel. I would also use moving the safe into the garage as an excuse to get a nice furnace for the garage! Tell your wife that the furnace will not only protect your guns but that she will never have to get into a cold car again!


Yup! You can get a wall mount direct vent unit installed for well under $1k that will keep a two car garage (assuming it's insulated) at 55-60 degrees without adding much to your gas bill!

[councilman24]

Instead of buying expensive desiccant sold for guns search ebay for "indicating desiccant" and buy bulk. Put it in any open container or sew it up in fabric bags. Fabric across a canning jar top will work also. The blue turns pink when the desiccant is 'full' of water. You then dry it in an oven and it's good to go again. No need to monitor humidity. Just dry the silica when pink. Keep some dry in air tight container so you have some to put in safe while first batch is drying. 4.5 lbs is available for $30.

As an analytical chemist I can tell you this is just as effective in your safe as any of the gun specific products.

[Cmattmc]

Instead of buying expensive desiccant sold for guns search ebay for "indicating desiccant" and buy bulk. Put it in any open container or sew it up in fabric bags. Fabric across a canning jar top will work also. The blue turns pink when the desiccant is 'full' of water. You then dry it in an oven and it's good to go again. No need to monitor humidity. Just dry the silica when pink. Keep some dry in air tight container so you have some to put in safe while first batch is drying. 4.5 lbs is available for $30.

As an analytical chemist I can tell you this is just as effective in your safe as any of the gun specific products.
I agree we use "indicating desiccant" at work and you can dry it in the oven. Just be aware that when you dry it, it will not turn back to the original blue color and then back to the pink making it hard to know again when it is time to dry it again. But it will work great to reduce the moisture.

[joepistol]

Mind flashes to the link where someone had a safe in their garage & thieves cut a hole in the top of the safe & removed all the guns inside..may have even used tools that were in the guy's garage (add insult to injury) to cut the top of the safe open.. lock up your torch and grinders/cutters ?

[willforu1]

Instead of buying expensive desiccant sold for guns search ebay for "indicating desiccant" and buy bulk. Put it in any open container or sew it up in fabric bags. Fabric across a canning jar top will work also. The blue turns pink when the desiccant is 'full' of water. You then dry it in an oven and it's good to go again. No need to monitor humidity. Just dry the silica when pink. Keep some dry in air tight container so you have some to put in safe while first batch is drying. 4.5 lbs is available for $30.

As an analytical chemist I can tell you this is just as effective in your safe as any of the gun specific products.

I second the statement above. Also please note that there are different size heating elements and you have to select one that will be efective in a cold garage.

Also, please note that there are different size Golden Rods. When I was safe shopping fo my safe I stopped in at Ables Safes in Pinconning. My wife wanted me to put a safe in the garage and I wanted it in the house. We debated this infront of the Ables dealer as to whether or not keeping a safe in a non-climate controlled garage was a good idea. He pointed to his larger safes and asked "How do you get this into a house?" He showed me some larger golden rods and warned that you have to use one of these bigger rods if you choose to keep it in the garage.

In the end we comprimised. I got to keep it in the house but my wife picked out the safe. We ended up spending about 500$ more than I was prepared to spend so she could select a safe that was more aestically acceptable to her. I feel that I was a big winner on this one.

If you care to talk to able safe here is a link. http://www.ablesafe.com/

[10x25mm]

Be careful what type of desiccant you purchase. Some of the color change indicator dyes used are toxic and will contaminate your oven when you dry the desiccator cartridge out. The Absorbent Industries dye is supposed to be nontoxic, and it continues to indicate well after five years of drying on a monthly basis. That was the only reason I made a specific recommendation.

[elwarpo]

If you move it to the Garage, i would build a small room around it (put it in a corner.) Insulate the room and consider some form of temperature control and venting. A simple thermostat controlled heater will make a huge difference. the worst thing happens when the temperature fluctuates and you get condensation from warm air on your cold guns (think glass of ice water in a restaurant).

[Fighterace26]

A room in basement with a steel vault door,
And it ended up costing less than a decent safe.
Nobody would even guess it was a vault looks just like any other room from outside.

I wold not put in garage.

[illadvised]

A room in basement with a steel vault door,
And it ended up costing less than a decent safe.
Nobody would even guess it was a vault looks just like any other room from outside.

I wold not put in garage.

Did you use cinder block walls? I am curious how this was constructed.