5 Best Solutions for a Damp Basement
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Drying out a damp basement may seem like a hassle, but preventing mold and mildew growth will save you from more serious structural issues down the road. Read our guide below for tips on how to address a damp basement, protect your home’s foundation, and prevent structural damage to your house.
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Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers pull humidity out of a room, help remove musty odor, and mitigate that muggy feeling that sits on your skin when excess moisture lingers in the air. You can buy dehumidifiers at most department stores as portable units or as wall-mount models.
Dehumidifiers are available in desiccant and refrigerant styles. Desiccant dehumidifiers act like sponges by sucking in humid air, drying it, and releasing it back into the room. These humidifiers work best in unheated rooms and are quieter than refrigerant humidifiers, but they may warm rooms.
Refrigerant humidifiers suck in most air and run it through a series of cold and hot coils to remove moisture. These humidifiers blow out warmed and dried air and maintain level temperatures. They work quickly and are cost-efficient.
Drainage
One of the most common causes of water entering a basement is rainwater runoff. Diverting water away from your home’s foundation will help you keep your basement floor and walls dry. The following strategies will help to improve your home’s drainage systems:
- French drains: A French drain, or drain tile, is a plastic tube you can place in a trench around your house’s foundation. Groundwater fills the tube and travels away from the foundation or toward a sump pump.
- Gutter extensions: Gutters guide rainwater away from your home, and gutter extensions, or downspout extensions, guide the water further away from your foundation.
- Sump pumps: A sump pump captures water and pumps it through a discharge line that drains away from your property. A waterproofing professional installs the sump pump at the lowest point of your basement or crawl space so that the valves can sense increasing water levels before water seeps into your basement.
- Surface drainage: Yards slope away from a house so that rainwater doesn’t pool at the foundation. You can regrade your yard to improve the incline if you need a steeper slope. You may want to contact a landscaper to regrade your yard. Consider hiring someone to install a catch basin, which draws and captures water far from the foundation. This may improve surface drainage.
Insulation
Certain types of insulation can address water and mold issues. Consider installing these insulation types:
- Rigid foam: Rigid insulation sheathing is a continuous plastic foam board that insulates concrete walls and floors. Homeowners can install rigid foam if they have some DIY experience. Rigid foam effectively protects a space against fluctuating temperatures and basement moisture.
- Spray foam: A professional insulator can spray plastic foam into cavities, attics, crawl spaces, and rim joists. Even a thin application resists moisture and air infiltration. Spray foam is especially good at keeping its shape.
Ventilation
Ventilating a basement is one of the most energy-efficient ways to eliminate moisture. You can ventilate your basement naturally by opening windows to increase airflow, or you can employ one of the following options:
- Air conditioning: Run an air conditioner or install one in the basement to cool the air and remove moisture. Your air conditioner also filters the air to protect against dust and mold.
- Air purifiers: Air purifiers clean and circulate air, improving its quality. They remove toxic particles, such as mold, and help to eliminate musty smells.
- Exhaust fans: An exhaust fan pulls moist air from a room, making space for drier air to enter. Wet, warm air travels through a duct system that guides it outdoors.
- Floor fans: Small fans, portable floor fans, or box fans can circulate the air in a basement, helping to eliminate moisture and lower the humidity level.
- Vents: Installing a vent will improve air exchange and flow. An Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) connects to your existing HVAC system and uses two fans to move air and moisture through a room. The ERV also removes pollutants from the air.
Waterproofing
Basement waterproofing prevents moisture buildup and creates a barrier that helps reduce the risk of mildew and mold. Consider using one of the following methods once you have eliminated moisture, mold, or efflorescence, which is a white crystalline salt deposit.
- Caulking: Caulk basement windows or reinforce previous caulking by adding another layer. Make sure you repair any damage to the window or drywall before caulking.
- Interior sealants: Sealing basement walls and floors can help you control basement humidity by acting as a barrier against water that has entered your home’s exterior. You can apply sealants with a roller, paintbrush, or sprayer.
- Exterior waterproofing: Waterproofing your home’s exterior will block water before it enters, helping to reinforce any interior waterproofing methods. Install exterior waterproofing by digging out the dirt next to the foundation walls, applying a moisture barrier, and adding a dimple board to deflect water.
- Waterproof paints: Waterproofing is a helpful solution but not a long-lasting one. Waterproof paint on your interior or exterior walls will last between two and six months.
Our Recommendation
Leaks and floods are sometimes inevitable, but you can take steps to ensure your basement stays dry. Use dehumidifiers or ventilation, or consult restoration experts, to dry out a basement before it gets musty or moldy.
Once you’ve ensured your basement is dry, seal walls and windows and fix or extend gutters. Install waterproofing, French drains, and sump pumps to control ongoing issues. You can tackle these projects if you have DIY experience, but don’t hesitate to hire a waterproofing professional to install complex waterproofing solutions.
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Damp Basement Solutions FAQ
What are the risks of living in a damp basement?
The risks of living in a damp basement include developing respiratory illness or an allergic reaction. A damp basement is a hot spot for mold growth, and mold exposure can lead to acute respiratory reactions, asthma, and shortness of breath.
What are the symptoms of a damp basement?
The symptoms of a damp basement are condensation on walls and floors, wood rot, damp air, stained ceilings or walls, and mildew odors. You may also find water puddling on the floor or trickling down the walls.
How do I fix moisture in basement walls?
To fix moisture in basement walls, seal cracks, waterproof walls and windows, and remove exterior water sources. You can remove exterior water sources by fixing leaky gutters and hoses, grading soil from the foundation, and planting trees and shrubs to absorb excess water.
