How Does Dehumidifier Work in the Basement?

Most basements are partially or fully underground. This makes them naturally cooler than any other rooms in the house. The basement floor and walls are in contact with the soil, that is several feet below the surface. This soil can be up to 7?F less than the surface temperature. Lack of access to direct solar heat also aids in keeping the temperatures low.

Why is the condensation rate higher in the basement?

Since the temperature of the basement floor and walls is lower, it is able to cool most of the water vapor in the air on its surfaces. This is why the air in most basements feels dense and cooler. This is what makes most basements to have high humidity.

What are the signs of high humidity in the basement?

Humidity can be easily measured using a hydrometer, which can be purchased at most large retail stores. However, there a few signs that you can observe in your basement that indicate high humidity:

• The basement walls and the floor feels damp to touch.
• The basement air feels clammy and moldy.
• The growth of mold(black mold is the most common) on the walls or on the item stored in the space.
• Odor from the rot and decay of wood.
• Peeling of paint or wallpaper.
• Clear smell of mold and mildew.
• Water stains on the walls, floor, and items stored in the basement, when the humidity levels are high.
• When the level of humidity in the basement is extremely wet, you will be able to see condensed water on the walls and puddles of water rising from the floor.

What are the sources of humidity in the basement?

The first step of dealing with high humidity in the basement is to identify the source of humidity. Here are some of the most common sources of humidity and their solutions:

1. Groundwater or rainwater – if too much of the rainwater is deposited just next to the basement walls and floor. The walls and floor will absorb this water by diffusion and end up in the basement.

Solutions:

• Add gutters and downspouts – their purpose will be to collect and direct all the rainfall on the house far from the house foundation.
• Effective grading – the ground around the house should slope away from the house to ensure the rainwater is sloped down away from the house.
• Subsurface drainage systems – if the soil around the house has serious drainage issues, you can invest in a subsurface drainage system. This should the last option.

1. Interior house moisture sources. -  research has shown that household activities like cooking, laundry, and showering can produce up to 3 liters of water vapor. This moist air is dense and heavy hence will fill its way to the basement.

Solutions:

• Install fans to aid in air circulation.
• Take cold showers as often as possible.
• Turn off humidifiers.
• Cover all hot tubs or indoor pools when they are not in use. 

1. Ventilation – vents in the basement are the easiest way outside humid is able to get into the basement. during the warm weather month, many of us will leave the basement windows or vents open to help ventilate the space. This increases the condensation rate in the basement.

Solution:

• Seal of all vents and windows. Keep all the outside humid away.

1. Leaks – checking for leaking plumbing is usually the first step for many homeowners. It is important to fix any leaking pipes and also checks for leaks in places like the shower, the toilet, the dishwasher, sink and all the taps.
2. Crack in the foundation – if there any cracks on the basement walls or floor, they should be fixed immediately. This especially common on the floor joists. Cracks are usually a sign of bad drainage around the foundation.
3. Concrete moisture – most houses are made of concrete floors and walls. Concrete is a mixture of a number of constitution materials and water. This water can be the cause of increased moisture in the basement especially in newly built or recently renovated houses.

Why should you buy a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier extracts the excess moisture in the basement to ensure the moist levels are below 50%. This can transform your basement into a comfortable livable area.

Why should you buy a BaseAire dehumidifier?

• A BaseAire dehumidifier is equipped with an auto-humidistat. This allows the dehumidifier to automatically turn on and off depending on the humidity levels.
• Automatic defrost – A BaseAire dehumidifier is built keep operating even at a very low temperature in the basement especially in the winter.

Get your BaseAire dehumidifier here!