Fix that Wet Basement - Humidity Problems

This is the second post in our current series full of solutions to help you fix a wet basement. Don't miss the first post here!!

I’m giving you a virtual high five for taking that first step toward drying out your basement. Now that you know what you’re facing you can build a plan of attack. We’ll go over options for condensation based wet basement issues today and next time look at outside water sources. 

Okay, so there was condensation showing up on the outside of your foil. This means there is too much warm, humid air colliding with the cool walls, appliances, and other surfaces in your basement. Picture that tall glass of sweet tea you might enjoy outside on a hot day. As your glass sits in that scorching hot, sticky Southern summer air it begins to sweat. Beads of moisture drip down and when you grab it, your hand gets all wet. Bingo! Except that it’s not refreshing when your washer and dryer and expensive pipes that are damp and possibly starting to rust. This needs to be prevented!

Check the Small Things First

When you go down to the basement, and that damp air hits you, you might be tempted to go open any windows or doors and try to dry the place out! Hold on just a second though. If the air outside is warm and moist, opening the windows might actually be counterproductive. Keep those windows closed unless it’s a low humidity day, and run the A/C if the basement has one.  Also, make sure your dryer is venting properly to the outside and that the vent is clear. This will ensure that the warm air from the dryer isn’t spilling out into your basement. Finally, avoid hanging clothes to air dry, as all that moisture goes straight into the air and makes the problem worse.

Time to Dehumidify!

The next thing to consider is purchasing a dehumidifier for your basement. Nothing fancy or intimidating, these portable appliances are easy to buy with a stop at your local home improvement store and will set you back from $180+. I’m not endorsing this particular model, but a quick search on Home Depot’s website shows a 50 pint model with high customer ratings goes for about $220.

A good reference point to determine the capacity you should look for is this chart from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, and they also offer a list of recommended units. As you can see, a 50 pint machine should take care of just about any home basement need. Be sure to follow all the directions included with whichever model you buy, for most efficient and safe results!

Stay Tuned

Although these suggestions are specifically targeted to resolve humid basement problems, that doesn’t mean you won’t see improvements from suggestions on the next post. Some of the landscaping tips we’ll cover may be very helpful if you live in a place with high moisture content in the ground surrounding your basement. .

Do you have any experience with dehumidifiers to share with us? Leave a comment if you have a suggestion & we'll be back Monday!