Humidity in Basement

It’s not uncommon for your basement to feel damp, almost like stepping into a sauna. However, this is neither normal nor healthy for your home. 

While a certain amount of humidity is expected, excessive basement moisture creates an ideal environment for mold growth, pest infestations, structural damage, and other hazards. These are warning signs that indicate problems requiring immediate attention. 

As experts in basement waterproofing and humidity control, Indiana Foundation Service offers proven solutions and extensive knowledge to permanently eliminate unwanted moisture and humidity in basements. 

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. Relative humidity measures the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount present at a given temperature. 

Basement humidity becomes a concern when relative humidity levels exceed 55-60% for extended periods. This creates ideal conditions for various issues, including: 

• Water in your basement 
• Mold growth 
• Efflorescence 
• Musty odors 
• Structural damage 
• Wet basement walls 

Neglecting humidity can negatively affect your home’s safety and your family’s health. To address basement humidity, it is important to understand the underlying causes and implement solutions to control moisture sources. 

Several factors contribute to humidity and dampness in basements, including: 

• Water Intrusion: Water can enter through cracks in walls, floors, joints, and openings around pipes, wires, and windows. 
• Water Seepage: Groundwater easily seeps through porous concrete walls or floors. 
• Internal Leaks: Plumbing pipes can burst, and appliances like water heaters and washers can leak inside the basement. 
• Exterior Drainage: Damaged gutters, downspouts, and improper landscape grading can cause rainwater and snowmelt runoff to collect around the foundation. 
• Outdoor Humidity and Poor Ventilation: Many basements lack proper ventilation and air circulation. Opening basement windows and wall cracks also allows high outdoor humidity levels to condense on cool basement surfaces. 
• Poor Insulation: Many basements without adequate insulation worsen the problem by allowing warm, moist air to come into contact with cooler basement walls, creating condensation. 
• Indoor Cleaning Chores: Baths, laundry, and other household activities add moisture to indoor air. 

Addressing these issues at the source is essential for effective humidity control. 

Effectively managing basement humidity involves these important steps: 

• Inspection: We carefully evaluate your home and utilize tools like moisture meters and hygrometers. This enables us to identify where water is entering and recommend suitable solutions. 
• Interior Drainage: Our interior drains around the perimeter efficiently capture any leaking water and direct it to a sump pump, keeping it away from your basement. 
• Sump Pump: The interior drains collect the water, which is then directed to a sump pump that removes it from your basement. 
• Wall Vapor Barrier: A thick vapor barrier acts as a protective shield, preventing moisture from penetrating through the basement walls. 
• Dehumidifier: Our robust and energy-efficient dehumidifier effectively controls moisture levels and enhances indoor air quality. 

At Indiana Foundation Service, we offer a unique range of products tailored to address your specific issues, making our solutions much more effective than what you’ll find at a large retail store. These solutions come with comprehensive, long-term, transferable warranties backed by a national guarantee. 

Don’t ignore high humidity levels in your basement. Keep your home dry with effective solutions from the professionals at Indiana Foundation Service. 

For 15 years, we have been the trusted partner for basement waterproofing in Central and Southern Ohio. Homeowners have confidence in our exceptional customer service, expertise, and innovative products. Discover the quality for yourself. Get in touch with us today to schedule your free inspection and estimate.