Learning How To Deal With A Damp Basement Effectively
Posted by user1 on July 12th, 2010
A damp basement is every homeowners nightmare. This is one of the major reasons why homeowners think of basement remodeling ideas. But the sad truth is that basements (especially in older homes) are generally damp due to their location. Water can travel from many different sources, including melting snow, rainfall and naturally occurring groundwater. Once the problem begins, this often calls for a quick solution, before the basement starts to flood. The good news is that the majority of basement moisture issues can be effectively dealt with.
If you have a damp basement, you should start managing condensation. Condensation occurs when moisture condenses out of the air and gathers on the cold surfaces such as the walls of the basement. There are two solutions for basement condensation and these are insulation and dehumidification.
You can start by insulating surfaces that have a higher tendency to draw condensation. This means insulating bare air conditioning ducts, cold water pipes and well tanks. The next thing you should do is to install a dehumidifier to get rid of the added moisture from the air.
Assess your drainage system. You should then try to fix any drainage problem you might have in your basement. Poor drainage is one of the major causes of dampness and other water problems in basements. Poor drainage can be the result of a missing or inadequately installed rain gutters and downspouts, poor grading and poor grading around basement window wells. Make sure all these are repaired or replaced. If this does not work you may have to seal leaks. Repair cracks and plug any holes you find in your basement walls and floor. You can use hydraulic cement and then waterproofing methods.
To fix cracks and holes, find all large cracks and holes. Enlarge the openings, as this enhances the bond between the concrete and the hydraulic cement. Clean the cracks and hole by getting rid of loose concrete and scouring them with a wire brush and water. Finally, fill the prepared openings with hydraulic cement.
Cover up the holes with cement. Utilize a trowel to deposit the cement into the cracks and holes. Feather the ends so they are flush with the exterior. Keep in mind that hydraulic cement is caustic and the dust can cause irritation. Thus, wear a dust mask and gloves at all times when using hydraulic cement. Before you continue to the next steps in basement refinishing, allow the hydraulic cement to cure for a number of days.
Now lets have a breakdown on what you should do to deal with dampness and other water problems in the basement. It is always a general rule to first try and stop leaks and seepage. Identify the source of the leaks and seepage so you can move on to the next step, which is to fix the cracks and holes prior to waterproofing. You can find online tips on how to seal cracks and holes when water is getting in under pressure. You can also easily find online tips on packing a leaking floor joint.
As you can see effectively dealing with a damp basement should not have to be a complicated process. Just remember once you identify even a small leakage, its best to fix it as soon as possible before the problem gets bigger.