Moisture is the common enemy of many homeowners, because it’s not uncommon for moisture to be trapped, leading to dampness and mold. Moreover, excessive moisture can be a symptom of poor insulation, or even prospective leaks, which is why it’s important to never ignore its presence.
This is especially true of attics, where insulation and roofing system inspections should be customary.
Basements are also common culprits. Underground spaces are commonly impacted by the harm of poor insulation and ventilation.
As such, learning to keep a basement dry is not simply achieved through recuperative action but should remain an essential aspect of the design. Moreover, dampness tends to rise, so a problem in this space can affect the rooms above.
Never fear, for by following these safeguarding measures, you can keep your basement dry, pleasant to occupy, and functional:
Inspect For & Resolve Foundational Cracks
Any crack can serve as an entry point for water, but it can be harder to spot in a basement environment, but it’s essential you do. With a direct light, make sure to inspect the walls and understructure, noting if any insulation has been damaged or cracked. You can use epoxy resin injections to help resolve such cracks. For larger issues, however, you may need to call in professional services.
Essential Drainage Solutions
The exterior drainage solutions of your property will have a major effect on your basement’s condition. Ensuring your gutters and downspouts are in good condition as well as regularly maintained and cleared, can make a tremendous difference. Ensuring that the drainage slopes away from the foundations of your home and directs water away from your basement is important, especially during the wetter seasons.
In some cases, a sump pump system may be worth the investment. These pumps help you collect pooled rainfall or light flooding to help remove water in a pinch. They may not be used year-round, but can be handy in a pinch.
Always Improve Ventilation
Trapped moisture can cause all of the issues above, but without a direct ventilation solution your basement is most at risk of this. This is because not all basements have windows and even those that do may be closed for security’s sake most of the day.
Installing ventilation systems and fans will help promote good air circulation. To assist with this, you may consider purchasing a reliable dehumidifier to prevent moisture buildup in the room. If you can, avoid wet home fixtures like laundry dryers or en suites in this space unless you’re implementing stringent ventilation solutions for their use. Extracting wet air while encouraging good airflow is important.
Insulate Properly
Insulating pipes and walls will be essential. Closed-cell foam insulation can help reduce air pockets in your walls, whereas pipe insulation can prevent the humidity created by hot water from pooling around the pipe and causing a moisture buildup. This way, you regulate the temperature and lessen the effects of dampness.
Great insulation, combined with effective ventilation planning, can offer twice the recourse needed for avoiding dampness and moisture buildup. It will also cheapen your energy bills, as you’ll be able to retain more heat without causing an overly humid buildup of moisture on your walls and surrounding property.
Use Window Well Covers
If your basement does have a window, or even a larger exit space that leads out into the exterior property, it may be vulnerable to rainwater, snow, or even debris like fallen leaves. This is why a window well can prevent this from building up, stopping pooled water from seeping into your basement, even with good insulation. It will also help you use this exit or window more easily during the warmer periods, never having to worry about water buildup or moisture falling into the space.
Moreover, window well covers can add a nice gradation between interior and exterior environment, giving you a little more privacy within your basement as is appropriate.