I've wondered about condensation behind laminated tags too... seems like moisture always finds a way under sinks. Have you noticed if drilling tiny ventilation holes in the tags helps prevent mold or rust? Or maybe using a breathable fabric tag instead of plastic could work better long-term? I'm just hesitant to invest in laminating if it's gonna trap moisture anyway. Curious if anyone's tried something like that.
I've thought about breathable fabric tags too, but my concern is they'd degrade pretty quickly in damp conditions. Laminating definitely traps moisture—I've seen it firsthand under my kitchen sink. Drilling tiny holes might help a bit, but wouldn't that just let moisture in anyway? Maybe the real issue is ventilation under sinks rather than the tags themselves... has anyone experimented with improving airflow down there to address the root cause? Seems like tackling humidity could solve multiple problems at once.
I've dealt with similar moisture issues under sinks in several rental properties, and honestly, ventilation improvements made a noticeable difference. A few years back, I had a persistent mold problem in one unit's kitchen cabinet. Tried everything—laminated tags, plastic sleeves, even those silica gel packets—but nothing really solved the underlying dampness. Eventually, I installed a small passive vent grille on the cabinet door and drilled a discreet hole in the back panel to encourage airflow. It wasn't an overnight fix, but after a couple of weeks, the humidity dropped significantly, and mold stopped forming.
You're right that breathable tags alone probably won't hold up well in damp conditions. Laminating or sealing them just traps moisture, and tiny holes might help slightly, but they're not addressing the root cause. In my experience, tackling ventilation directly is more effective than trying to waterproof documentation. If you can keep the area dry and ventilated, your tags—whatever material you choose—will last much longer.
One thing I've found helpful is actually using materials that naturally resist moisture, like recycled plastic or aluminum tags. They're eco-friendly and hold up better than paper or laminated ones. But yeah, totally agree ventilation's key—without airflow, you're just fighting a losing battle. Curious though, did you notice any drafts or temperature changes after adding the vent grille? Always wondered if there's a noticeable downside to improving cabinet ventilation...
"Curious though, did you notice any drafts or temperature changes after adding the vent grille?"
Honestly, I've installed vent grilles in quite a few cabinets over the years, and the temperature difference is usually minimal—at least nothing you'd really notice day-to-day. Drafts can happen, but it's usually because the grille placement wasn't ideal or the grille itself was oversized. If you size it correctly and position it strategically (like lower down or toward the back), you shouldn't feel any noticeable airflow or temperature swings.
One thing to keep in mind: if your cabinet backs onto an exterior wall or an unconditioned space, then yeah, you might get some unwanted cold air sneaking in during winter months. In those cases, I've found that using a grille with adjustable louvers helps—you can tweak airflow seasonally. But overall, I'd say the benefits of proper ventilation far outweigh the minor inconvenience of occasional drafts. Plus, keeping moisture down means fewer plumbing nightmares down the road...and that's always a win in my book.
