5 Ways You Can Control Basement Moisture

Moisture can be as big of a problem as an active leak in the basement. Even though you can’t see it, basement moisture still a form of water and can cause problems such as mold, odors, rot as well as insects and other pests. All these issues can be eliminated when you control the moisture in the basement. The goal is to keep the basement at or below 50% relative humidity.

Here are five ways you can control basement moisture:

Basement Waterproofing

The first step to controlling moisture is to control any active leaks or potential risk factors for water in the basement. A basement waterproofing system (either exterior or interior) will keep the basement dry.

Crack Repair

Make sure your foundation is free from any cracks. Moisture can enter into the house through even hairline cracks. Cracks will impact your basement environment. Concrete cracks are hard to fix. They have to be injected. Don’t just assume caulking or surface treatments from the DIY hardware stores will fix the issue. Call a professional to inject the crack to completely fix it.

Outside Drainage

Make sure that your outside drainage is working properly. The gutters and downspouts should be in good working order and the landscaping should be sloped away from your foundation. Don’t ever let water dump alongside your foundation wall. Excess water around your foundation can create what is known as hydrostatic pressure to push even more water and moisture through the walls, cove, or even up through the basement floor.

Dehumidifiers

There is a reason dehumidifiers are number 4 on the list. They work well to control humidity but if you have active basement leaks, cracks or water issues in the basement your dehumidifier will be working on overdrive. Dehumidifiers are not intended to work alone. They are best used as a supplement for a complete basement waterproofing drainage system.

Active Soil Depressurization Systems

The same system that is used to reduce radon has been found to also reduce moisture in the basement. The mitigation system is used to pull soil gases from below the foundation and pull it up through a pipe outside the house. In this process moisture is also pulled out of the house that would otherwise end up in the basement air. It is another supplement to the basement waterproofing system. Plus, it will control any radon. If you have radon problems then it is a great way to also control basement moisture.