Moisture in my basement

Addressing building problems is most often done in a certain order to address each problem in the least expensive method with the most positive results. By doing the things that are easy and low cost you can start eliminating problems as they are found or occur. The best way to deal with moisture problems is to eradicate or manage the source rather than trying to impede it. Basement moisture can lead to mold and mildew that are dangerous to the health and cause a building to rot from the bottom up. This causes environmental problems, so address basement moisture and live in an eco-friendly, healthy home.

 

Internal moisture sources are the easiest and least expensive to address when you remove too much moisture causes in the basement. This occurrence of moisture can be caused by humidifiers and cooking or clothes dryers and bathrooms. Ventilate the dryer and bathroom to reduce the moisture. Installing a dehumidifier for the cooking and venting the humidifier will also help reduce basement moisture. Summer condensation can be a problem too. It is not smart to ventilate the basement straight with temperate moist air, so vent through and air conditioning method or with a desiccant heat exchanger to address this problem.

 

Humidity and odors can build up in the basement and can be very difficult to get rid of. Dehumidification does not always take care of the whole problem. As a matter of fact, it has been found that a dehumidifier in some cases can cause bigger damages. The basement drying with a dehumidifier can cause moisture to be pulled into the basement faster causing flaking of the concrete as well as added damaging of inside finishes.

 

It seems like an easy fix to solve the basement moisture problems with membrane or coatings in the interior, but the water is still going to come in due to the fact that these easy fixes deteriorate rather quickly and simply send the water going towards the basement through another path.

 

The approach that professionals use is to assess the surface grading, downspouts and gutters around the house after removing any interior moisture source. The gutters, downspouts and surface grading should be addressed first because these are the most likely to correct the problem. If the moisture continues, it is then time to go forward with an inside or outside drainage system.

 

Installing a dynamic sub-slab depressurization method with a rock layer underneath the slab is the place to start. This type of system will draw moist air out from beneath the slab and will help reduce the moisture vapor that comes into the house by way of breaches in the slab.

 

Many basement moisture problems can be remedied by making sure that rain and outside drainage is properly addressed with downspouts and gutters that are fitted with splash guards that carry the water away from the underpinning of the house or building. Inclining the grade away from the house is very imperative. You may be required to haul fill to the site. This step should be done prior to installing any drainage system because removing water at the source is the best preventative of basement moisture.