Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave

[Vina]

here are some pictures of our new 'cheese cave', -
1) We have separated part of the basement with a new brick wall
2) then walls and ceiling washed and painted with water-based paint

naturally temps in summer holds about 55-59F (12-15C), I have not checked RH yet.
I would appreciate any of your comments and especialy on what would be the best humidity controll solution for my cave?

[Tomer1]

First put a RH meter in there, It might be very humid in there and nothing needs to be tweaked.

The space seems small enough for a ultrasonic humidifier if RH needs a boost.   You might want to treat the walls with some kind of coating as mildew and black mold might be an issue.

[DeejayDebi]

I would use a spray sealer to seal everything.

[Vina]

.........  You might want to treat the walls with some kind of coating as mildew and black mold might be an issue.

Thanks! I googled a bit and found there are lots and lots of coatings / paints against molds. The only concern was - may I use them in cheese-cave?

I would use a spray sealer to seal everything.

Thank you, it really seems reasonable.

[Tomer1]

The only concern was - may I use them in cheese-cave?

I see no reason not to. as long as they are safe for humans they are safe for cheese  ^-^

[DeejayDebi]

I didm't find any info about bricks but I did find info on comcret block

Concrete Block walls should be heavy density, non-porous blocks. Concrete block walls should be installed in a stack bond pattern (with reinforcement), rather than a running bond pattern (see Fig. 1), as there is less hold up of dust and moisture. As stated previously, the concrete blocks should be installed with a solid cap on the top course and without ledges or crevices. For additional durability and cleanability concrete block walls should be appropriately sealed and finished by painting with semi-gloss or gloss epoxy enamel paint covering.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs120

[Vina]

I didm't find any info about bricks but I did find info on comcret block

Thank you! they seem to be seroius sanitary requirements.

First put a RH meter in there, It might be very humid in there and nothing needs to be tweaked.

I bought new RHmeter from local laboratory equipment dealer. Today readings are 12*C and RH 82%

[Tomer1]

Thats almost optimal for hard cheeses, Does it get much hotter outside during the summer then it is now?

[Vina]

well, it does, mid June  - September it is real summer, it's getting quite hot, temps can reach 85F (30C) and we have good humidity, as our country is close to the sea.

[Tomer1]

So you need an AC in there which will obviously alter the RH (dry up the room).

[Vina]

yes, I know.
actually, its pretty cool during summer as well (basement), around 15 - 16C. As far as I know, AC can cool the room aprox to this temp.