How often do you visit your basement? Is it a daily trip, a weekly, monthly, or every once in a while longer? The basement feels like that neglected part of the house homeowners know they should maintain but constantly forget to get around to it.
Whatever the case might be, well- maintaining your basement is the wiser choice than ending up trying to salvage.
Ideal Basement Humidity Levels
Ideal basement humidity levels are generally between 30-50%, and by maintaining these, you can keep the basement clean and fresh. It is the perfect setting for summers, and you won’t have any problems if you keep within 30-50%.
Wintertime can be a little tricky, and depending on the weather outside, ideal humidity levels in the winter are 25-40%( when outside is between 20*F- 0*F).
Basement humidity levels are one of the most crucial aspects of basement maintenance. If your basement is gathering dust, a round or two of vacuum cleaning may get the situation under control, but, if neglected, excess moisture (or low moisture for that matter) can bring a whole host of new problems to the equation.
Here’s what high humidity can do to your basement –
- High humidity can make your basement a breeding ground for allergens like bacteria, fungi, dust mites, mold, etc. All these allergens can get a ride in the air-flow and cause problems for people in the house.
- If the basement humidity is high, the environment of the whole house goes off-track. It might feel hotter and stuffy, and consequently, the cooling mechanisms will be working extra to normalize the humidity, and your bill can go up.
- If you’re using your basement as a storage area, all the things in there are vulnerable to excess moisture. Your books, photographs, clothing, electrical appliances, and other such things that find their way down to the basement are at risk of ruin. Wooden objects can also swell up and lose their actual shape. Doors and windows may not lock properly.
- Not only that, but the structural integrity of your basement also becomes problematic. In worst-case scenarios, the walls or roof can give in and fall.
- High humidity, especially in secluded areas like the basement, can be a health hazard. It can irritate health conditions like Asthma and cause frizzy hairs, increased sweating, skin irritation, and more.
These, among many other effects of high humidity, can threaten a basement.
In this article, we’ll be discussing how homeowners can take care of the excess humidity in their basements. But first, let’s look at the most common causes of excess humidity in Basements.
Common causes behind excess Humidity in Basements –
Unstable Foundation
If due to any reason, the structural integrity of the basement is faulty, it can be the reason behind the haywire humidity levels. In many cases, cracks can form in concrete and concrete block foundations (usually when floor joists are joined improperly to the foundation wall). Also, when the walls meet rigid surfaces, such as the fireplace, cracks can form. These cracks can compromise the structural integrity of the basement, letting in moisture flow.
If the window wells (drain next to the basement walls are not built appropriately, there’s a solid chance that the water flow might go towards rather than away from the foundation.
Poor Insulation
Proper insulation is essential to making sure the environment inside the house is under control. Basement insulation can be a bit tricky, and in case it is botched, one of the consequences is fluctuating humidity levels. In many cases, an improperly insulated basement can be the reason behind increasing mold growth.
Ground- surface Problems
In case the surface around the house is not well-settled, for Eg., if there’s a slope towards the basement wall, the water can get through and cause humidity problems. The soil near the house usually filled back without proper compaction, and as a result, it later settles. Whatever the case, just as the water flows towards the basement wall, there’s a potential leak-in.
No Gutters or Downspouts
In case of missing gutters and downspouts, all the rainwater can enter the foundation perimeter. Another mistake is, having downspouts without an extender or splash block. Due to this, the rainwater from the roof gets collected in a single location near the basement.
Improper Drainage
If there are heating ducts beneath the basement flooring, any mistake during the drainage set-up can cause the water to remain in the heating ducts, resulting in mold and mildew formation.
Any problem in the drainage system can cause the water flow to disrupt, causing water to build up. Damaged leaky pipes can cause water to collect inside the basement, resulting in high moisture content.
In-house moisture
In case there’s excess moisture in the house due to a humidifier, wet clothing, indoor plants, etc., it can find its way through the airflow inside the basement.
These are a few of the reasons behind increased humidity in your basement. Now, let’s see how we can control excess moisture in the basement.
Taking Care Of Excess Basement Moisture
Correcting foundational Mistakes
If there’s a moisture excess in your basement, first, you need to check for any mistakes in the foundation scheme. It could be cracks in the walls or an issue with the outside perimeter at the ground level; you can control and maintain the excess humidity by correcting the foundational mistakes.
You need to ensure there’s a proper connection between the foundation wall and the structure above. Any damage to the basement structure, like cracks in the walls, needs to be fixed as well.
In case there are heating ducts below the basement flooring, the ducts need to be insulated, watertight, and properly sloping towards drainage so that there’s no idle water in the ducts.
When constructing the window wells, fill them with 3/8- to 3/4-inch coarse aggregate from footing to the window sill. A supplemental drain tile extension is ideal, from foot to the base of the window well.
It is necessary to have at least one downspout per 50 linear feet of a roof eave. The discharge should be at least 4 feet beyond the wall (using extensions), and concrete sidewalks around the basement should be sloped to move the rainwater away from the foundation.
Fixing Damages
The drainage system is a crucial part of the entire system, and making sure that it is working well is essential. Any drainage system involves a pipeline, and when there are any issues with it, water can get into places it is not supposed to. Whether there’s a clog in the pipes blocking the water, damaged pipelines, or a broken connection to the sump, the flow gets disrupted.
You need to check the sump pit, which usually holds a pump used to get the water to the ground surface outside the foundational wall. Any component of the system, if damaged, can cause disruption, and hence, needs to be fixed timely to avoid a messy basement.
Using a Dehumidifier
While there’s a chance that repairing any structural or systematic flaws may remedy the situation, the excess humidity in the basement isn’t going to up and disappear overnight. A basement dehumidifier is ideal in such a situation. It sucks out the extra moisture and collects it in a container that you can empty. Many dehumidifiers come with a draining feature, and there’s no need for you to discharge them. Selecting the ideal dehumidifier depends on your situation. You can choose b/w small, medium, or whole-house dehumidifier units. A dehumidifier can get rid of excess moisture and maintain the atmosphere. But if there is any other issue that needs fixing, fix it first so that the dehumidifier is not simply masking the real problem.
Boosting Ventilation
If you have proper ventilation in the basement, the danger of moisture buildup is less. Cracking open the windows brings in the fresh air and fixes the stuffy, humid, inside atmosphere. Another good idea is installing exhaust fans in the basement to keep the excess moisture out. If these changes are possible, you should look into them.
Checking other Moisture Sources
If you’re using a humidifier inside the house, make sure it’s not running unnecessarily. With advanced units, it’s not an issue, but sometimes excess humidity can get to the basement with airflow. Wet clothing inside the house, bathroom and kitchen moisture, indoor plants, etc., are some of the things behind the excess humidity. However, it is unlikely that these factors alone are causing havoc in the basement. You can look into these while figuring out the real issue.
Conclusion
Basements, if neglected, can be a prime location for humidity fluctuations. Well-maintaining the basement should be a priority like any other part of the house. If there’s a small humidity problem, using a small dehumidifier can fix it. If the problem is drastic and persists, you should check with a professional to see if there’s an additional issue catalyzing the situation.
Fixing what’s wrong with the basement can decrease the problem considerably, and you can take care of the rest with a dehumidifier unit.
If you’re in a location where excess humidity is a seasonal issue, a whole-house dehumidifier can help keep the inner atmosphere just the way you like it. If the problem is not serious, a smaller unit is adequate.
FAQ’s
Que- What is the ideal humidity level for my basement?
Ans- Keeping the humidity levels within 30-50% is typically the ideal choice. In winters, the temperature can get low, and the humidity level can vary as well, and between 20-40% is fitting.
Que- Will my AC be effective in maintaining ideal humidity levels?
Ans- An AC does lower the humidity level, and in case there’s a hot and humid environment outside, AC is effective. However, a dehumidifier can lower the humidity levels, even when the temperature isn’t high, but the humidity is. Usually, dehumidifiers, along with fans and cracked – windows, do the trick of keeping humidity in check, and there’s no need to involve your AC. If the temperature rises above 78 Degrees, the AC and dehumidifier combo is the ideal tool. AC alone can rack up a considerable bill sousing dehumidifier is recommended.
Que- Which dehumidifier is best for my basement?
Ans- It depends on the situation of your basement. If there’s a lot of moisture, you can get a large basement dehumidifier. But if the problem is in corners or a secluded portion of the basement, a small dehumidifier is fine.
Que- Why is my basement so humid?
Ans- It can be due to several reasons. Maybe the basement hasn’t been properly insulated, allowing outside elements to affect the environment inside. It is also possible that some structural issues are causing the problem, like leaky pipes, cracks in the wall, etc. You can do a thorough check-up, and if you’re unsure, you can call professional help.
Que- What can I do to fix the stuffy air in my basement?
Ans- Start by cracking open a window except in summertime, when it’s hot and humid outside. Getting some fresh air is a good start. If you don’t have an exhaust fan in the basement, getting one can improve the situation considerably. A dehumidifier is always an excellent option. If you’re using a humidifier, make sure it isn’t running unnecessarily. Do not dry wet clothing inside, if possible.
Que- How can I check if my basement humidity is reasonable?
Ans- You can use a hygrometer, a device that keeps track of the humidity levels. You can also use an intelligent dehumidifier that automatically detects the humidity levels in a room and set it to your preferred settings.
Que- Is there a way to keep the humidity levels low in the basement without using a dehumidifier?
Ans- It is possible, but only in cases where the humidity is not considerable. You can use charcoal briquettes to soak up the moisture. Opening up a window lets out the humid air out. Dry clothes outside the house, and if there is a problem like cracks in the wall, wet corners, or other damaged portions, it might behind the problem, so get it fixed.
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