How to Prevent Humidity in Your Basement and Crawl Space?

The maximum air you breathe in your home reaches you from your crawl space or basement. It is, therefore, very important to ensure that the air entering your living area is pure and free from any kind of septicity.

If you notice a frowsty odor or mold growth in the crawl space or basement then these are the signs of high humidity.

The high percentage of moisture in the basement can be due to

• standing water caused by poor drainage
• moisture evaporating directly from the ground
• Improper vent space

All these factors can cause a nightmare. A great percentage of air moisture can damage your items and can even cause structural damage. It also results in a growth of dust mites, mold, and mildew and increases the rate of rusting.

To prevent yourself from such torment, keep your home clean, and the incoming air dry. By controlling the moisture percentage, you can keep your home comfortable, safe, and fresh.

Here are some of the ways that help in developing and implementation a waterproofing solution and in keeping your home environment hygienic.

Proper Drainage

A proper drainage channel does not allow the rainwater to seep under the foundation and thus prevents the basement from getting wet. To prevent the basement from damping improve the grade near your hole with soil.

Insulate the surface of the basement

The high moisture in the basement creates a favorable condition for the growth of molds and mildews on the surface of the wall and floor. Control the moisture by covering it with moisture-proof insulation. Rigid insulation of 1.5 inches is good and the proper taping of the same prevents air and moisture from passing into it.

Cover the floor

Most of the moisture is added in the air of the basement from the ground. It is therefore very important to cover the floor with heavy and thick plastic cover. Lay the plastic cover in the continuous runs and avoid using the cover with holes or gaps in between.

Capping of Foundation wall interior

Cap the interior of the foundation wall with the plastic sheet. Proper galvanization of the sheet further prevents the entry of moisture and the growth of termites on the walls.

Use an electric fan to dry air

Inappropriate ventilation and absence of cross ventilation create dampness. To dry the air in the area, you can install an electric fan at the opening of the crawlspace. Keep the fan on at least 10 hours or according to the amount of dampness. This helps in drying the air quickly and effectively.

Keep the crawl space and basement clean

The other way of keeping moisture away from the crawl space is by cleaning the area regularly. To clean it, regularly replace the wet insulation, remove debris, prevent the invasion of the rodent, and call the professionals immediately if you find any asbestos in the area.

Use Wet and Dry Vacuum

A wet and dry vacuum is a handy and efficient tool for keeping the area dry if the amount of moisture is less. Simply, plug in the unit and turn it on. It sucks all the moisture and collects it in the drum which you can dispose of outside.

Use Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are the most effective way of keeping crawlspace and basement dry and clean. There are many commercially available dehumidifiers that are customized for this purpose. Plugin the good-quality humidifier and run it for hours. The regular operation of the dehumidifier will remove the moisture effectively.

Push-broom

A vacuum dryer is not always a favorable option, since it may have a shorter hose. In that case, push broom comes out to be beneficial. It has a long handle that makes it easy for you to reach a long distance. It brings the water to the front of the crawl space which you can vacuum later. Removal of maximum water prior to drying helps in parching the room better.

Although you keep your home clean but to keep the good hygiene condition it is important to keep the incoming air cool and fresh and free from any kind of infection. Damp and moist air is the source of growth of bacteria and fungus which can make you fall ill. It is, therefore, necessary to check for the dampness of the basement or crawl area regularly and to keep the same dry and salubrious.