Basement moisture is not uncommon, yet it may be one of your worst nightmares when it comes to homeownership. From structural damage to hazardous mold, there is nothing good about having a damp or wet basement!
There are many causes of basement moisture. Some can be fixed with a simple solution, while others require a professional. The cause of your basement’s humidity may not be the same as someone else’s, so it is important to know what you are combating before acting.
Warning Signs of Basement Moisture
How do you know if you have moisture in your basement? Here are some common signs:
- Water trickling out of the walls
- Damp, humid air
- Condensation on the walls and floor
- Stained or blistering walls
- Standing water on the floor
- Saturated base on concrete walls
- Rotting columns, headers, and joists
- Odor or mold or mildew
- Deteriorating carpet or wood
If you see any of these signs, you have moisture in your basement. The next step is to find where it is coming from.
Basement Moisture Sources
Moisture in your basement usually comes from one of three sources.
- Rain or groundwater
- Interior moisture sources i.e., dryers, showers, humidifiers, new concrete
- Humid, outside air such as an open window on a summer day
Common Causes of Basement Moisture and How to Repair Them
Cause: Interior Water Leak
If you’re trying to figure out why your basement is moist or wet, the first place you should look is inside. Water from a leak can come from any number of sources: a shower, sink, toilet, washing machine, dishwasher–the list goes on and on. By checking the basement’s foundation, ceiling, and walls, you can identify where there are wet spots that could indicate a leaking pipe or appliance.
Repair: Easily fixed, an indoor water leak just requires you to fix the leak! You may need to call a plumber, but once fixed, the problem should be gone for good.
Cause: Ineffective Grading
The ground around your home should never slope towards the foundation; if it does, rainwater will accumulate against the foundation wall and eventually make its way inside the basement. This leads to mold growth and structural issues that can cause other major problems for homeowners.
Repair: Contact Dry Basement for a free inspection and estimate. Our team will inspect your home as well as your yard, checking for issues with sloping and pooling. We will then create a plan of action to improve drainage around your house.
Cause: Missing or Defective Gutters and Downspouts
Rainwater can be harmful to your house. Gutters and downspouts are designed to route water away from the foundation of your home, but if they’re missing or not functioning properly then rainwater is often directed towards it. This water will accumulate in the soil around your home, which could eventually lead to moisture damage or rot inside. Water may also build up pressure in the soil around the outside of your house and penetrate your basement through foundation cracks or cold joints.
Repair: If you do not have gutters, add them. Additionally, a minimum of 1 downspout should be placed every 50 ft. of the roof eave. Downspout extension should also be placed on downspouts to disperse water at least 6 to 8 feet away from the foundation. Any existing gutters should be cleaned regularly.
Cause: Condensation
Basement condensation occurs when warm moist air comes in contact with cool basement walls and flooring. This is very similar to how condensation appears on a cold drink when the liquid is colder than the surrounding air temperature.
Repair: Basement condensation is a problem that can be handled in several ways. The most common way is to install a dehumidifier or air filtration system, which removes excess humidity from the air. It is also important to keep the basement windows closed to keep warm and humid air out.
Cause: Missing or Broken Sump Pump
Oftentimes, older houses will not have a subsurface drainage system. And in old homes, this was intentional – their basements were only meant to be used as storage spaces for items. Newer homes that do have drainage systems and sump pumps, however, can still experience problems. For example, clogged discharge pipes can lead to a whole range of problems with the drainage system including broken connections or even just broken sump pumps.
Repair: Dry Basement® installs sump pumps in most basement and crawl space waterproofing systems. Our Dual Pump Pack® sump pump system keeps working when other systems fail.
If you see signs of moisture in your basement, do not hesitate to do something about it. The longer the problem persists, the bigger and more expensive the repairs will be.