Dealing with a humid basement can be a pain. Learn why it is happening and how to fix it.
High humidity levels are caused by excess moisture in your basement. This can happen for various reasons, such as poor drainage or insufficient ventilation through the basement.
Humidity problems are oftentimes not the disease but rather a symptom of other issues. Humidity can be brought into your basement through the air, liquid water runoff, and a couple of other ways (but we'll keep it simple for this article).
Drainage systems are crucial for keeping moisture out of your basement. If you have poor drainage systems, humidity will easily find its way into your home. The most common basement drainage systems are the drain tile system, baseboard system, and a sump pump.
Another common issue we see is the slope of yards funnel towards homes instead of letting the water roll down and away from homes. Combine that with clogged gutters and downspouts, and you have a real issue at hand. The water enters your basement and causes unwanted humidity.
Ventilation can help carry moisture out of your home. This is the reason why basements are breeding grounds for mold and moisture. There generally is not much air flow in basements, and the moisture has nowhere to go. It ends up building up in the basement.
Appliances, such as washers, dryers, bathrooms, and kitchens can cause unwanted humidity problems. If you are running any of these appliances in or near your basement, they could be the source of the issues.
Sometimes new homes' basements can carry moisture and the problems that come along with it.
Okay, what you came here for, right? How do you fix humidity issues in your basement? Truth be told, there may be some things you can do to lessen the symptoms, but if there is a "disease" in the basement, you need to fix it at its source, or the problems will keep coming back.
The dehumidifier is the most commonly known way to get rid of humidity in your basement. You power it on and let it do its thing.
However, as mentioned before, this may not fix your basement humidity issues for good. If water is entering your home through an external source, the dehumidifier won't fix that. You'll need to have it looked at by a professional to see what fixes need to be done.
It is generally safe to run a dehumidifier all day. Most dehumidifiers will only run when needed and shut off once they reach a safe level.
Sometimes drainage systems are the only way to go to really fix your humidity issues.
Yes, 60% humidity is too high for basements. Generally, a safe humidity level is between 30-50%, but that can vary a bit depending on where you live and the conditions of your environment.
Once humidity levels reach above 55%, mold can start to grow. That is why it is so important to keep moisture out of your basement, as mold is a serious health risk for people of all ages.
Have you ever felt energy-less on a humid day? It's not just you. High humidity levels can cause health and energy side effects. Moisture also can block your body from releasing heat, causing your body to over-heat in humid living conditions.
The only sure way to guarantee a fix for your humidity issues is to hire a team of professionals that know what they're doing and have experience with these specific issues.
