How Do I Control Humidity In My Basement

You walk into your basement and notice the air is moist and humid. You may think nothing of it, but this could be a major problem! The general rule is to keep your basement between 30-50% humidity. Humidity levels tend to be highest in the basement. This is because basements are cooler than upstairs spaces and in close contact with the soil, they are naturally prone to condensation and trapping moisture.

Why is humidity in my basement an issue?

Humidity in a basement is an issue for many reasons. It is the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria that could be detrimental not only to your home but also to your health. According to WebMD there are many people who when inhaling or touching mold spores can cause an allergic reaction. People with serious mold allergies or asthma may experience shortness of breath or asthma attacks. Generally, people who are more sensitive to mold are infants, children, the elderly, and people who are immune compromised. The air that circulates through your home, that you breathe,  starts in your basement. So even if you do not frequent your basement often, if there is mold down there it can still affect you upstairs.

How to Detect Basement Humidity

There are many things to look for if you don’t immediately feel the humidity when in your basement.

• Visible mold or mildew – Mold can grow where condensation sits for long periods of time. If your basement is constantly overly moist then you could have mold growing.
• Damp walls – humidity creates moisture. If you have a finished basement then that moisture could be damaging your drywall. Look for wet or damp spots.
• Condensation – Check your windows for sweat or condensation.
• Basement seepage – Water seeping into your basement will evaporate and turn into moisture in the air. Thus, humidity.
• Musty Smell – Keep your nose on alert! That smell you might have noticed when going into your grandmother’s basement, that was a musty smell! If you smell that when going into your basement you likely have water somewhere or high humidity.

What to Do About Basement Humidity

Breathing clean air is essential to good health. So, when you are ready to make a substantial improvement in the quality of your home and health it is time to install a dehumidifier. Installing a dehumidifier can not only lower the humidity level in your home and basement but can also catch dust mites, pollen and other contaminants. Our system features commercial strength dehumidification and air purification. It is also Energy Star efficient and saves electricity and comes with a 5 year ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty. You can schedule a free consultation to confirm your suspicions about the humidity in your basement!