Not every property has access to a basement, with some states like Texas, being widely known for the lack of subterranean space like basements or half-basements. So this article will be focused towards those people will access to basements, answering the hot question – why is your basement so humid?
Dealing with mold and mildew by removing moisture
The reason why we are focusing on moisture and not mold and mildew removal, is because the latter is a symptom of an overall moisture problem. You see, mold requires moisture to grow, and if you remove its environment, it will not develop – and if you don’t, you will have a new house pet within 48 hours.
Reasons why your basement is so humid
Chances are you have a lot of underground water around your property, which is slowly seeping through cracks or pores in the concrete. It’s a little known fact, but concrete, even after years, is still drawing moisture through it, it has small pores which allow for moisture to slowly seep through it, providing an ample environment for mold and mildew growth.
Landscaping is not the right angle
A big reason for subterranean water, is that your lawn has the wrong inclination – leaning towards the foundation of the property, rather than away from it. Water is always drawn towards the lowest spots, driven by gravity – and will undoubtedly find its way into the inside of your basement, through capillary action and the porous nature of concrete.
It’s also possible that there are tree roots around the property, also drawing water near them, creating pockets of moisture deep away from sunlight and wind where it can be removed. These pockets will also contribute towards an increase in moisture inside the basement.
The solution is to chance the inclination of the landscape and place a hydrophobic barrier around the affected parts of the property.
Gardening as a major source of moisture
Something which is rarely though off as a problem, is the irrigation of gardens surrounding a property. Yes, roses and other bushes look beautiful but they need water – if they’re in close proximity towards the property, chances are you are going to have moisture in your basement.
Another thing to consider is the angle of the sprinklers and the radius of their radial spray coverage. Adjust your sprinklers and check if their zones overlap towards the base of the house, you should do the same with gardening hoses and plants – be mindful of their location.
According to the specialists in the company GCDrestoration.com the solution to this issue is to move away any plants form the base of the house and to be mindful of overwatering them, the same should be done with sprinklers – granted it’s kind of a hassle to move them, so simply adjust their angle of attack.
Use a drainage system around the base of the house
Sometimes we build in beautiful places that have a lot of natural underground water. While these locations are great for underground water extraction and cheap wells, it’s not great for building a house with a basement.
If you have a property which sits on deposits of underground water, chances are you are experiencing quite a lot of moisture issues. One good solution is to dig out around the property, underline the excavated parts with a hydrophobic fabric or plastic, and them use pebbles and small stones to fill that in.
This should be done with professional help as there are inclinations and other rules to follow, which might be out of a layperson’s liege – don’t cause more trouble than it’s worth it.
