Basement Dehumidifiers

Having a wet basement causes many homeowners each year to lose money for devalued property, costly repairs or both. There are a multitude of things that can lead to a wet basement. Poor construction principles, leaky pipes and improper drainage all can contribute to moisture penetration and a wet basement. Basements are also closed areas that are prone to extreme temperatures and high humidity.

A wet basement can be caused by:

• Leaky roof
• Clogged gutters & downspouts
• Improper surface drainage
• Leak from water heater/washing machine
• Porous concrete
• Surface or groundwater
• High outdoor humidity

Improper surface drainage is a common problem in many wet basements. Bad surface drainage usually results from the soil around the house improperly sloping towards the house instead of away from it. Water leakage around basement windows can be problematic because they are typically below ground level. This issue can be lessened by making sure the windows close tightly and securely with leaks. Window wells should be installed to properly keep water away and drain any water away from the window area.

The soil beneath a house is loaded with moisture and it wants in the basement. The porous nature of concrete basement flooring and hydrostatic pressure combine to push moisture into the basement. The soil absorbs and retains water and expands upwards to the basement foundation. Hydrostatic pressure is what is exerted by liquid when it is at rest.

Evidence of water damage in basements include:

• Musty odors
• Visible mildew/mold
• Dampness on foundation walls/floors
• Flaking/peeling paint
• Stains on carpeting/floor tiles
• Stained/rotting wood
• Rusting metal objects

High levels of outdoor humidity are another factor that can lead to a wet basement.  Outdoor humidity affects indoor humidity regardless of how tightly sealed your home may be.  Running the air conditioner during warm weather can help lower indoor relative humidity, though in wet weather or near bodies of water or streams, the air conditioner is merely removing a drop from the bucket.  During days with moderate weather, relative humidity is often highest.

During warm weather, relative humidity is typically higher in a basement than it is outside.  As temperature cools, relative humidity raises.  That is why, even on a warm comfortable day, your cold basement walls and floors will feel damp. A cool basement temperature coupled with high outdoor relative humidity can put huge amounts of moisture in the basement air and cause walls and windows to drip with condensation.

Using basement dehumidifiers that can remove 100 pints of water per day is an effective solution to a wet basement. Often home owners make the mistake of wasting tons of money on basement waterproofing when the problem is caused by humidity in the air.  Before waterproofing you basement, be sure that the water you find on your walls, windows and floors are not from condensation.  Even after waterproofing, outdoor water sources will still cause high outdoor humidity and thus higher indoor humidity in a cool basement. Humidity based basement water damage can only be effectively prevented by using basement dehumidifiers.

Often homeowners will buy a good quality basement dehumidifier first, to see if it solves their basement moisture problem before spending much more money on waterproofing.  If waterproofing is still needed, the basement dehumidifier remains a smart investment to have in a home where water is constantly trying to enter a professionally sealed basement.  Eventually the water will find its way into the basement through the air.