Storage space with concrete floors

On 25 Jun 96 Mark Ast inquired about storing collections on
concrete. From experience with concrete buildings:

    1.  Concrete tends to "wick" moisture from the other side--
        walls, floors, etc. unless a barrier, usually plastic sheet,
        was installed during construction, or the surface has been
        sealed, and done so very well.

    2.  Even more sinister, a common practise in cleaning
        (finishing) concrete is to clean up concrete splashes and
        drips with a muriatic acid (HCl) solution.  This can outgas
        from the concrete for months/years.  I am aware of a mammal
        skin collection that lost a considerable amount of hair when
        housed in a new construction concrete museum range.

Good luck,

Curtiss Peterson
The Rescue Company

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:4
                   Distributed: Friday, June 28, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-10-4-008
                                  ***