What You Should Know About Basement Moisture Control

Moisture control for your basement is vital. Moisture in your basement can result in serious health problems for the occupants of your home. It can also cause serious structural problems making your home unsafe.

People often misunderstand moisture problems. The result is that they are often not treated properly. Understanding how moisture can get into your basement in the first place will help you control it better.

Sources of moisture

The first step to correcting a basement moisture problem is to understand where the moisture is coming from. There are three main sources of moisture to basements. These are:

• Water from the rain or the ground surrounding the basement
• Moisture from inside the home. This may be produced by a humidifier, bathroom moisture, cooking, clothes dryers that aren’t vented and moisture in the concrete used for the construction of the basement.
• Humid air entering the basement from outside. The air condenses when it comes into contact with a cooler surface and results in the formation of moisture.

How to know you have a moisture problem in your basement

You can easily identify a moisture problem in your basement. Here’s what to look out for:

• The occurrence of ‘standing’ water on the basement floor
• Water trickling off the sides of the walls
• Damp and humid air in the basement
• The growth of mold and mildew. This may cause the air in the basement to have a damp musty smell.
• Blistered or stained basement wall coverings
• The appearance of a ring of dampness at the base of the concrete block walls
• Rotting of wooden components of the basement including joists, headers and columns
• Deterioration of carpets and other organic materials stored in the basement.

Controlling moisture in your basement

The following are tips to help you control moisture in your basement:

• Improve ventilation within the basement to prevent the buildup of moisture as a result of condensation. You can do this by installing a ventilating fan or opening the windows of the basement when the weather is mild outside.
• Install a dehumidifier in the basement. This will remove any excess moisture from the air and prevent the occurrence of condensation.
• Cover pipes in the basement with foam sleeve insulation or insulating tape. This will prevent condensation from forming on the pipes.
• Ensure that water from the roof during the rainy season is routed away from the foundation of the home. Water downspouts should face away from the foundation and guide water to a drain. Also ensure that your gutters are working properly and are clear of debris.
• Get a plumber to fix any leaks in the home.