How to Assess Basement Humidity Problems: Moisture, Leaks, Condensation, and Odor

Basements are located at a lower level when compared to the house, and that means they can end up having all kinds of humidity problems. If you see damp walls, feel a musty smell or there’s visible mold, then you clearly have some humidity problems that need to be addressed. Abestorm is here to help with high quality home moisture control solutions you can rely on. 

Why basements are prone to moisture buildup?

Basements are notorious for humidity problems because they are surrounded by soil, which has lots of water. On top of that, the soil becomes saturated, which will lead to water going through the cracks. And since water flows with a downwards direction, it will always reach lower levels of your home like the basement. That means it’s always prone to moisture buildup, and it’s very important to address that in a cohesive manner.

How to measure humidity accurately?

There are multiple methods you can use to check condensation or measure the humidity levels. That’s how you assess the humidity problems, and generally, it will be a much simpler method of handling this situation, as you will notice below. 

• A hygrometer is very useful, because it will identify the humidity levels and highlight them on its screen. Ideally, you want to have humidity levels around 30% to 50%. If it goes higher than that, you have a high risk of mold growth, not to mention the odor will be more difficult to manage. 
• Measuring at different times of the day is also a very good idea. A basement will have higher humidity levels during the night, so that’s certainly something to consider here. 
• Make sure that you use a moisture level meter for the floors and walls. Pin-type meters are very good, since they can help measure the moisture content found within the building materials.
• Assess the ventilation and air circulation. Especially in the basement, you do want to have very good air circulation, so you can prevent any possible problems that could arise. 

Clearly, you want to use these tips and tools, because they will make it easier to see whether there are some humidity problems or not, and then you can go from there. 

Common signs of humidity 

Aside from having tools that measure humidity levels, it does make a lot of sense to check for common, known signs of humidity. That will help identify concerns and issues, while making it easier to take action right away.

• If you encounter a musty smell, usually that’s due to mold developing and organic matter thriving in the basement. 
• You should also check to see if the floors are damp or wet. That means there’s poor drainage or the foundation seal was compromised, which is something you want to address properly. 
• Wall condensation is also a problem, because these are signs of structural degradation down the line.
• Mildew or mold spots are also something to consider. As we said, mold grows when the humidity levels are high, usually over 60%.
• If the humidity levels are high, you can also encounter paint peeling or efflorescence, something that you must take into consideration as much as possible.

Differentiating leaks, vapor, and condensation

It’s very important to note the fact that not all moisture problems are equal. That’s why you want to identify the different types of moistures and see where you get the best results. For example, leaks appear when the liquid water is entering the basement via failed seals, gaps and cracks. They tend to be visible after plumbing failures or rainstorms. 
Then, we have water vapors which stem from moisture that diffuses via porous materials or humidity found within the air. And then, we have condensation which forms when the humid air reaches a cold surface and thus it ends up turning into droplets. 

Practical solutions and prevention measures

If you encounter humidity within your home, you need to try and address it as quickly as possible. Thankfully, there are certain methods that you have to take into account, as follows;

• If you encounter humidity within your home, you need to try and address it as quickly as possible. Thankfully, there are certain methods that you have to take into account, as follows;
• Always try to find effective ways of improving drainage and waterproofing
• Improve the air circulation within the property and connect the basement to your HVAC system, where possible
• Additionally, you also want to install a dehumidifier, as it’s one of the top methods you can use for humidity control within your home
• It also makes sense to insulate the home walls and pipes, as it will help keep the moisture out
• Apply vapor barriers, these are great to add behind drywall or even under flooring, as it will stop ground moisture
• Fix any leaks right away, the more you let them exist, the more problematic they will be
• Using desiccants for small spaces is a great idea, and it will help you ensure that you absorb any moisture from the air

How Abestorm dehumidifiers help restore healthy humidity?

Abestorm offers high quality dehumidifiers that will help with any basement humidity problems. It can assist when dealing with condensation and it’s a great solution for home moisture control. These dehumidifiers are known to deliver a high moisture extraction rate, energy efficiency, not to mention they have built-in drainage pumps, smart humidity control, a quiet operation system, not to mention excellent durability as well. 

Expert prevention checklist

1. Start by checking the humidity levels every week using a hygrometer
2. Additionally, you want to inspect the walls and foundation for cracks
3. Clean the downspouts and gutters 2 times a year, at least
4. Ventilate the home properly and use a vapor barrier
5. Use a dehumidifier and keep the vents clean
6. Store any items off the floor, and insulate any cold pipes or ducts
7. Seal gaps found around the vents and windows, where possible

Conclusion

It’s a very good idea to perform basement leak detection and use the checklist above to deal with any high humidity levels. It’s a very good idea to eliminate any issues and focus on removing humidity from your basement as quickly as possible. Using a dehumidifier from Abestorm is an excellent idea, because it allows you to keep moisture levels under control, while eliminating any issues that could arise!