Managing Humidity in Your Basement

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Managing humidity in your basement is very important. Humidity can cause mold to grow which is damaging to your basement and the air within your home. 

What causes basement humidity?

Some factors that make the basement area of a home generally the most humid are because it’s underground, surrounded by concrete, and basements generally have very few windows. All of these things combine to cause more moisture to be trapped in the basement. 

How to Detect High Moisture. 

It can be difficult to tell if your basement traps moisture. Some key signs to look for include:

Mold: There may be mold growing in your basement in cracks, walls, corners, etc. 

Damp walls/Condensation: The walls could feel wet from the high humidity levels and surfaces could even be collecting condensation.

Musty Odor: If the basement has a musty odor it can be an indication of high moisture. Especially if clothes that have been in the basement have this odor because it’s likely they haven’t had a chance to dry sitting in such a humid room.

How to Manage Humidity?

There are ways to avoid high amounts of moisture in your basement. Some of these ways include:

Open Windows: Opening the windows in your basement helps circulate the air within the room. It will reduce humidity and can even create a better feel when you’re in the basement. 

Clean: Too many items in your basement creates a cluttered environment. This gives mold and mildew a chance to grow in these hidden, cluttered areas.

Get a Dehumidifier: Having a dehumidifier in your basement creates a way to absorb moisture. This can protect belongings in your basement from being damaged, and prevent any mold from growing.

Keep your basement protected from high humidity. Here at SERVPRO, we are here to help you protect yourself and your home from unsafe conditions. Contact us today at 1-800-SERVPRO for more information on what we can do for you!