Basement moisture can come from a variety of sources, and it’s often an ongoing problem. This area of your home is surrounded by moist soil, a fact that does not help in basement moisture control. This can make your basement unusable, or it can cause damage to a finished living space or storage area. Having a usable basement is important for maximizing the square footage of your home – so follow these six steps to eliminate or control sources of basement moisture.

Inspect Dryer Vent

Many basements contain washers and dryers, and these are constant sources of moisture. While this is easily controllable with a dryer vent that moves moisture outside, these vents often become disconnected or clogged (this is a major fire hazard as well). We recommend checking regularly to make sure that the vent is still connected to move moisture outside. It is also best to have your dryer vent professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Cover Sump Pump

Basement moisture can be caused by an open sump basin. When the basin does not have a cover or lid, the water evaporating from the inside can be a constant source of basement moisture. If you have a sump pump, cover the basin so that water is enclosed in a tightly closed and sealed container

Control Seepage

Seepage is the act of water permeating the basement walls or floors through cracks in your home’s foundation. It can cause an enormous amount of basement moisture, making this area feel damp and musty. To prevent seepage, have your home inspected by a basement waterproofing specialist, like us. We can detect the early signs of seepage and repair the problems, like sealing cracks, to remove basement moisture.

Improve Crawl Space

As we talked about last month, crawl spaces are often neglected areas of homes. They may have dirt or gravel floors, and this can lead to basement moisture. By sealing your crawl space through encapsulation or by adding a concrete floor, you will keep moisture out of your basement and possibly add a space for storage.

Fix Property Grading

When the land around your home slopes toward your house, this can cause water to run toward your home, putting pressure on the foundation. You want to route water away from the house. This prevents it from collecting around the foundation and seeping inside. You want to make sure that your patio, sidewalks, and ground slope away from the house. You may have to add or remove soil to achieve proper grading.

Remove Excess Humidity

While your dryer can cause humidity, so can moisture from basement bathrooms or simply hanging clothes to air dry. The unavoidable – like the weather outside – can also cause your basement to be humid. Adding a dehumidifier can go a long way in solving basement moisture problems.

If you would like to make your basement a dryer, healthier, and more usable, contact us today for a complimentary estimate.