High Humidity Levels and the Importance of a Basement Dehumidifier

I am often asked “do I need a basement dehumidifier” when evaluating homes with basement seepage problems.  Most experts, like the American Medical Association, American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency, all agree that our homes should be kept at a relative humidity of 30 to 60 percent.  So we can all probably agree that it’s a good idea to keep excess humidity in check.

But let’s take a look at the signs that can help the average homeowner identify potential humidity problems in their basement and home.

Top 5 signs you need a basement dehumidifier/air filtration system:

1.  Musty smell or odor

Musty odors are a sure sign that there are moisture problems in your basement.  When a space has consistent relative humidity above 60% for long periods of time, mold, mildew and bacteria have the ideal conditions to thrive and multiply.

2.  Condensation

Condensation that collects on windows, doors, exposed piping and metal such as exposed beams and appliances is a sign that you have too much humidity in your basement.

3.  Allergies and asthma

If you or anyone in your family has issues with allergies or asthma, a dehumidifier / air filtration system can help eliminate mold growth and airborne allergens that can make anybody with allergies and asthma miserable.  Ever wonder why in the world some people move to hot, arid places like Arizona?

4.  Mold and mildew growth

If there are visible signs of mold and mildew growth in your basement, you most definitely will benefit from a dehumidifier/air filtration system.  Don’t forget to look at the corners, baseboards, behind and under storage boxes!

5. Bugs!

Yuck!  Everyone probably agrees that bugs belong outside, but few realize that they are in our homes because we are providing a perfect environment for them to thrive and reproduce when we have too much moisture in our homes.  Dust mites, spiders, silverfish, cockroaches and a whole bunch of other critters just love our homes if the relative humidity is too high.

If you have any of the signs listed above, you could definitely benefit by having the right basement dehumidifier/air filtration system to keep your home a healthy place for your family.

Questions?  We’ll be happy to provide you with the answers.