Top Reasons Why You’re Experiencing a Damp Basement

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If you’ve noticed that your basement is damp, don’t shrug it off. The dampness could be an indication that there is a significant problem with your home. If you let it slide, it could lead to structural issues, mold and mildew.  Mold and mildew can impact your family’s health, so tackle your wet basement problem right away.  Most of the time, a wet basement can be repaired with a couple simple measures as long as the problem is tended to in a timely manner. There are multiple causes of basement dampness. Let’s take a look at some of the most common.

The main indicator of a wet basement is condensation or a musty smell. You might even notice wet areas on the basement walls and floors.  Sometimes runoff from the home’s gutters can cause dampness in the basement. If you direct the gutters away from the home’s foundation, you’ll reduce your basement’s dampness. In other instances, cracks in the basement floors, walls, doors or window frames can cause moisture to seep in. These should all be closed off as best as possible with a concrete sealer. Groundwater can even swell and reach the basement. If this occurs, utilize a sump pump or give us a call and one of our professionals will be right over to repair your damp basement.

While gutter runoff is a common cause of damp basements, leaks from drains and downpipes can also occur. These can seep right in through the basement walls from outside. Or, they can come in through the ceiling from the room that is above the basement. You’ll be able to spot such leaks fairly easily as they usually create localized damp spots. Sometimes simple rainwater accumulates outside of the basement and finds its way in after it soaks into the walls.  Dampness can also seep in through the basement walls and floor if the damp-proof course is damaged.

Sometimes in the summer months, condensation can occur and lead to basement dampness. If the basement maintains a cool temperature and it is hot outdoors, the humidity level will rise and cause condensation. Condensation can also be created by the water vapor created throughout the rest of the home.  This typically occurs after showers and baths. Make sure that your basement has good ventilation. Utilize venting fans in your kitchen and bathroom so that there is less moisture in the building. Ideally, you’ll have a state of the art dehumidifier in the basement.

If you’re ready to repair your damp basement for good, contact A Marco Plumbing today!