Moisture Control Matters in Basements

Today, a growing number of homeowners appreciate the vital importance of keeping residential basements clean and dry. Water seeping into the interior through damp basement walls or flowing back into the residence from a malfunctioning basement drain poses a significant hazard. It may damage air quality, or even cause structural problems.

Some Helpful Guidelines

Consider using some of these tips to achieve dry basement conditions throughout the year:

1. Ascertain the source of water entering damp basements.

Many factors contribute to the development of moisture in basement areas. Some of the most common potential sources include:

• An elevated water table;
• Leaky plumbing or a leaky roof;
• Water soaking through basement walls into the interior of the home;
• Very high local humidity;
• Flooding in some low-lying terrains;

By identifying the chief source (or sources) of moisture in the basement, you’ll find yourself in a much better position to correct this problem.

2. Use a dehumidifier to help reduce basement moisture.

Installing a dehumidifier system in the basement helps some homeowners reduce moisture in basements and lower levels of a residence. In fact, some experts recommend using this technology on a 24/7 basis in some locales. Today many dehumidifying systems activate automatically, triggered by ambient room humidity.

3. Obtain regular plumbing inspections and maintenance.

Asking a qualified plumber to check over your plumbing system on at least an annual basis helps ensure leaky water, sewer pipes or malfunctioning drains won’t contribute to basement water accumulation and dampness. Although some pipes, such as high-grade copper pipes, will function well for decades, after the passage of time aging pipes eventually wear out. Repairing sections of corroded or broken pipe promptly ensures leaks won’t spew water into lower areas of the residence.

4. Ensure any basement household laundry appliances vent outside the basement.

Some older homes still rely on basement laundry rooms. If your appliances operate with popular vent systems, you’ll want to ensure the hot, moist air from these machines exits outside the basement, not where it could cause condensation to occur along interior walls. (However, take care to position vents in a way which prevents water from the exterior of the home from draining back inside the basement through vent systems during periods of heavy rain)

5. Consider seeking sump pump installation to promote a dry basement if your reside in an area subject to water buildup.

Sump pumps perform valuable service in basements in many locations in the United States. These pumps help force water out of basement areas. They may prove especially useful in preventing seasonal water accumulation, for instance. A waterproofing expert can provide assistance helping you select the best type of sump pump for your home’s basement.

6. Take steps to dampness-proof basement walls, especially foundation walls located below ground-level.

Sealing cracks helps prevent moisture from seeping inside the basement. Try and determine the basis for the formation of the crack; in some cases, this symptom could signify issues warranting the attention of waterproofing experts and/or construction engineers.

7. Don’t permit untreated woods to come into direct contact with the ground in lower levels of your home.

In some older homes, unfinished basements lack flooring. Wooden steps may directly contact excavated soil in these locations. Homes with low-lying windows may expose window frames to seeping water. Adjoining wet soil causes moisture to leak into the wood and create rotting and moldy conditions. This situation may even attract termites. One important aspect of basement moisture control involves remedying these situations. Protecting wood with waterproofing surface treatments and the application of waterproof siding helps minimize water penetration. Additionally, excavating around the exteriors of low-lying basement windows to install covered window wells sometimes proves very helpful also.

If Moisture Problems Persist

If you take steps to control moisture in a finished or unfinished basement yet problems persist, give serious consideration to consulting a full-time waterproofing firm. For instance, we offer services to help maintain a dry, comfortable environment in basements. We’ll help develop a plan to help keep the lower levels of residential property dry, and structurally sound.

The investment you make in eliminating dampness from a residential basement now may help enhance your household’s quality of daily life. Over the course of time, waterproofing returns other long term benefits, too. It helps optimize the anticipated useful lifespan of a residence. Measures to control dampness in basements help promote mildew and mold-free environments, for instance. Taking simple moisture-control steps can yield tremendous savings!