Humidity & Condensation

The Problem - The one feature that sets basements apart from other levels in your home is the ambient dampness. A deep hole was dug to accommodate the basement and the earth is typically wet and cold (about 55 degrees F) year round. Since solid concrete is a pretty good thermal conductor - it lets heat pass right through it - and is somewhat porous, is it any surprise that your basement feels dank & humid? For years "cellars" were built under homes with the full expectation that it would be a cool, wet space not fit for habitation or storage of anything valuable. Today, expectations have changed! People recognize the potential value of their below ground space, be it a basement or a crawl space, and want to be able to use it confidently for storage, living, and even entertainment.

Humidity is simply the amount of moisture contained in the air. When the moisture content gets too high not only do we feel uncomfortable, but other bad things happen in a home as well. Mold spores that are usually innocuous and dormant become active when humidity levels exceed 40-50%. There are a few very dangerous and noxious mold types that can and should be avoided. Unfortunately testing mold to determine if it's of the dangerous variety is a costly process, therefore its best just to reduce our exposure to all forms of active mold spores. The key is to keep the humidity level below 50% where mold spores will become dormant and not pose a threat to your family's health.

The Solution - Lowering the humidity level downstairs begins by stopping the active seepage and sealing the open sump pits. If you don't stop these sources of moisture penetration, remedial air treatment efforts are redundant. Once your basement is "dry" i.e. no longer leaks when it rains, then we can begin to make the air "feel dry" and comfortable again.

Even if you do not plan on finishing your basement, it's still a good idea to insulate the walls. When you touch the bare walls you can easily feel the cold air being transmitted from the bare earth. This cold air reacts to the warm air in your home and creates humidity. Insulating your walls will help reduce the humidity in your basement as well as your heating bills. Perma-Seal has a variety of wall coverings that can provide insulation, a vapor barrier and even a cosmetic finish without the great expense of a basement remodeling job. Many of these membranes can be inexpensively installed by the same expert crew that installs your waterproofing system.