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Causes, Signs and Solutions to a Damp Basement in Indiana

Causes, Signs and Solutions to a Damp Basement in Indiana

Causes, Signs and Solutions to a Damp Basement in Indiana

Damp basement is a common problem amongst most Indiana homeowners. By virtue of the fact that most basements are built into the ground, they offer a high possibility of moisture getting inside.

However, the problem is not well understood, and most homeowners tend to wait till the problem goes away, which often doesn’t. On the other hand, the wise reach out to reliable basement contractors to help them fix the issue.

Moisture problem is not only annoying and uncomfortable, but also presents hazardous health problems which worsen respiratory issues like asthma. In this article, we will highlight the common causes of dampness, signs, and effective solutions to the situation.

Causes of Wet Basements

To correct the dampness problem, it is vital to understand the reasons behind the situation. The three most common sources of water into your basement include:

Liquid water from the ground or rain. Interior sources of moisture such as unvented cloth dryers, bathrooms. Humidifiers and moisture from the construction concrete. Exterior humid air that enters into the basement and condenses there.
The major ways in which water makes it to your basement include:

More often than not, the basement is cooler than the rest of your house, and conventionally, cold air cannot hold as much moisture as the warm air in other rooms.

When the hot air from the rest of the house mixes with the cool air, condensation occurs on the basement walls and uninsulated pipes, creating the perfect conditions for the growth of mold and mildew.

Leaking pipes and cracks on your foundation wall tend to be common culprits since they act as conduits for water and moisture. Besides, the rain gutters, sewer overflows, and French drains are other potential causes for your basement’s dampness.

If your basement is not waterproofed, moisture from the soil rises through capillary from the ground and finds its way to the foundation through your walls and floors. The problem becomes major if your house is built with old and porous bricks.

If you have unused taps, bathrooms, and sinks in the basement, they could be potential causes of moistness in the basement. This is because water from the pipes seep slowly over time to your basement, making it wet.

Laundry in the basement using a dryer directs most of the moisture from your clothes to the walls. With time, the moisture left in the air condenses, causing your wall to become damp.

Most old homes don’t have a subsurface drainage system. This is because there was a time when basements were not regarded as habitable spaces.

In other cases, if your sump pit is fitted with a sump pump to lift the water to the ground space, it might fail at times. The failure results in a lot of moisture in the basement hence the need for regular sump pump maintenance.

Signs That Your Basement is Damp

Here are some of the common signs that your basement is wet.

  • There is mold and mildew growth on your walls and floors.
  • Your home’s floor and walls feel unusually cold.
  • Efflorescence on floors and walls. Efflorescence is the formation of salt-like crystals on your wall when water is present on a stone or brick.
  • Your tiles or vinyl start to become loosely fitted.
  • Floor paint and wallpaper starts to peel off.
  • Excessive formation of droplets on your windows.

How to Fix the Problem of Damp Basements

Moist and wet basements should not be a reason to cause you sleepless nights. Despite the annoyance it brings about, a damp basement is a completely solvable issue.

If it’s a broken pipe, or sink, a plumber can quickly fix that for you. However, you should ensure that all your pipes are well insulated to prevent moisture from condensing on them.

It would be best if you also ventilated your bathrooms and kitchen to control the moisture effectively. If you have an HVAC system, have your contractor check it for you and ensure that it removes all the moisture from the indoor air.

dIn addition, carry out a thorough inspection on your sump pump to ensure its working correctly. If it’s faulty, consider repairing or replacing the whole unit to increase efficiency. Where necessary, install some filters in the ductwork. With the wide variety of waterproof wall and floor products, you are definitely spoilt for choices, and you’ll never run short of long-term solutions.

Better Safe, Not Sorry

You don’t have to let our harsh Indiana summers prevent you from enjoying comfort and quality time in your basement. It is time that your foundation gets a practical solution- basement waterproofing. Our team of foundation repair and basement waterproofing experts are always ready to provide you with the best basement services in Indianapolis.

EverDry Solutions

Everdry of Greater Indiana offers multiple solutions so you can be
sure to find the perfect one for your home!

Exterior

Exterior

Put an end to dampness, cracks, bowing walls, mildew and musty smells with the Everdry Solution.

Interior

Interior

Put an end to dampness, cracks, bowing walls, mildew and musty smells with the Everdry Solution.

Multistep

Multistep

Put an end to dampness, cracks, bowing walls, mildew and musty smells with the Everdry Solution.

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