Tips For Finding the Moisture in Your Basement

You may think it's normal that your basement smells a bit musty, but it could be the result of excessive moisture. This is not good for many reasons including your family's health, anything you may be storing in the basement, and wood that may be in the basement. Here are some tips for finding the moisture in your basement.

Find the Source of the Problem

First, you will want to find out what is causing the moisture problem. Maybe it's an obvious issue such as standing water from a flood or maybe you can't really see what is causing the moisture. Either way you do need to get to the bottom of it. Try taping foil to your basement walls and then check on it a couple of days later. If the inside of the foil is wet, then it means the moisture is coming in through the walls. If the outside of the foil is wet, then it's because there is high moisture inside your basement.

How to Fix Moisture Coming In through the Walls

Once you have an idea of where the moisture is coming from, you can then work on fixing the problem.

Check gutters and drains: It's imperative that you check your gutters and drains to make sure you aren't getting a heavy flow of water against the house. If your gutters are clogged, then be sure to clean them out. Make sure the drains are facing away from the house.
Seal your walls: Check your exterior walls for any cracks or holes and repair them. If you have a cinderblock wall on the interior, then consider sealing your walls with a waterproof paint.
If you have issues with flooding in your area, then it may be a good idea to invest in a sump pump, which is a special pump that is installed in your basement to remove any water that is near your house. This will help keep your basement from flooding so it stays nice and dry!

Other Tips

There are a few other things you can do to combat a wet basement. If you have windows in your basement be sure to keep them closed during humid weather. Don't leave wet laundry in your basement and clean up any water spills in your basement quickly. If you're still having problems with humidity and moisture then it will be worth the money to invest in a good dehumidifier.

So, don't just live with a wet basement. Do something about it immediately for your health and to keep your house structurally sound. You can quickly get your wet basement dry to keep your house in tip top shape by following the above tips. For assistance, talk to a professional like Absolute Restoration LLC.

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