Whether you use the basement as a storage space or as a fully finished living area, a damp basement is one of your primary concerns.
When there’s moisture in the basement, you’ll notice it at once. As you watch the waterline gently work its way up the walls of the basement, you can see the wetness. Basement moisture, on the other hand, manifests itself in less obvious ways, such as damp ceilings, slimy walls, and musty odours.
There are several reasons behind the damp basement, from groundwater to improper ventilation. No matter the cause behind the dampness in the basement, it indeed is not healthy for you and your family. So, if your basement becomes damp, you have an issue that must be fixed immediately. A damp surveyor should be contacted at first signs to check the damp issue before the problem gets worse. If you contact a damp surveyor they will conduct a survey and write a written damp report for the remedial work.
How to Fix Basement Moisture?
If poor ventilation or a malfunctioning gutter is the cause of your dampness, then resolving the issue will be relatively inexpensive and straightforward, as all you need is to repair your gutters or install ventilation.
Drains can be more difficult to install depending on the cause of the problem, as they may need digging beneath the basement or the construction of a new heating system in the case of a cold basement.
The most concerning cause of dampness in the basement is groundwater seeping in from outside the basement, as this indicates that the tanking system has failed or is non-existent. The cost of building a tanking system is determined by the state of the basement walls and the water level in the surrounding area.
Install a Sump Pump
Installing a sump pump to prevent water from being trapped in your walls is good. You will also need to drain the damp area using a floor drain. You should consider installing a sump pump at the lowest spot on your property if you don’t already have one. The basement is the most common location. However, it could also be a crawl space or another underground room.
Sump pumps should be activated when severe rain or heavy water causes basement flooding. If you’re concerned that a flood will cause damage to your home’s inside, a backup pump is an excellent choice. If a sump pump breaks, this pump will serve as a backup.
Reduce Seepage
Regrade the soil around the basement foundation walls to keep water from flowing toward it. Bank the soil up to the stone foundation wall with a shovel and then slope away from the building. Downspout extensions direct downspouts away from walls of the basement. Keep the gutters clean to refrain them from overflowing and spilling against the wall. Large water bodies, like garden ponds, should be kept at a distance. During a heavy storm, garden ponds may overflow and flood toward the house.
Insulate Your Walls and Pipes
If you notice that your pipes in the basement are becoming covered with tiny water droplets, this could be the cause of your moist basement.
Insulating your pipes is a straightforward remedy to this problem. Pipe insulation is available at all local department or hardware store. It’s low-cost and straightforward to set up. You’ll be able to solve your problem in no time.
If your walls don’t have any water coming through, it’s good to insulate them. It will help you save money on your heating bills by making your basement more energy efficient. Before insulating, make sure there isn’t any water getting through, as mould will quickly form in between the wall and the insulation.
Waterproof Basement Walls
Excess dampness in the space is very damaging to the walls. And if these walls begin to wilt due to the moisture, new cracks and fissures may develop, resulting in more water seepage. This is a dreadful cycle that must be broken.
Waterproof the basement either with a waterproofing membrane or with exceptionally water-resistant paint. The waterproofing procedure should protect the basement from water seepage and extend its lifespan by many years.
The basement surface should withstand changing landscapes and foundation distress with the help of a good waterproofing treatment. After all, your basement is the most challenging place in the house. It shouldn’t just be the walls of your basement that you sh