How to Reduce Moisture in a Damp Basement

Dump Basement - Reduce Moisture

The basement is, arguably, the most important part of the basic foundation structure of any house. If you are thinking of building a new home, you simply have to ensure that the basement area is well-built. By the same token, you should know what the common problems with the basement might be. The issue of damp basement, i.e., when excess moisture gets accumulated in the basement area, is particularly notable in this context. The moisture content in the basement can start to rise on various counts. While in certain cases, the problem of a damp basement can be solved by a simple repair job, in other cases, a wholesale basement remodeling project needs to be undertaken.

One of the most common mistakes that many householders make is not monitoring the condition of the basement of his/her house on a regular basis. Irrespective of the quality of the material used for making the basement, cracks are likely to make an appearance sooner or later. If detected early, these cracks can be repaired without hiring the services of basement remodeling firms. You need to patch up the crack (if any) by applying cement products that are specifically meant for this purpose. You need to use a chisel (preferably, cold) and mallet to slightly widen the crack, so that the ready-to-mix cement can be applied in the area well. A putty knife should be used for uniform application of the patching cement. After the cement has dried, the crack can then be leveled. If this is done properly, the problems of damp basement due to cracks can be avoided.

Does your basement have adequate waterproofing facilities? The single most common characteristic of a damp basement is the absence of waterproofing, both from inner moisture, and that coming in from external areas. The problem can be solved by building trenches on the walls of the basement. These trenches then need to be filled with waterproofing material, to prevent the accumulation of excess inner moisture. Basement remodeling experts also suggest the usage of waterproof paints, so that moisture from other parts of the house does not enter the basement.

The air moisture in the basement can be kept under check by regularly using a dehumidifier in the area. You should also make sure that the basement dryer has proper ventilation facilities. Reduction of moisture from a damp basement can also be done via rain barrels, which can effectively trap in external moisture. The rain barrels can divert the trapped moisture from the basement to the garden areas, so that garden plants get adequate water. The downspouts that you have in your basement need also be extended to about six feet from the walls of your home. This prevents excess water from reaching the basement.

Basement remodeling is the most elaborate, and certainly the most expensive, among all other home renovation projects. Remodeling the basement, in most cases, costs in excess of $ 20,000. As such, you need to make sure that the remodeled basement is free of all types of structural defects and other problems. In particular, steps should be taken to avoid the problem of damp basement.

A well-remodeled basement can significantly add to the total living area of your house. If free of excess moisture, it can serve as a solid foundation for your home as well. In fact, a damp basement can considerably weaken the house-structure, apart from resulting in mold-attacks, and musty smells all over the house. As such, you should ideally hire the services of professional basement remodeling companies, if you want to repair or remodel the basement.

View the original article here

Share :