Humidity in Basement

It’s not unusual for your basement to feel damp, almost like you’re walking into a sauna. However, this is neither a normal nor a healthy condition for your home. 

While some humidity is expected, excess basement moisture creates an optimal environment for mold growth, pest infestations, structural damage, and other hazards. These are red flags, signaling problems that require immediate attention. 

As basement waterproofing and humidity control specialists, Ohio Basement Authority has proven solutions and expertise to permanently eliminate unwanted moisture and humidity in basements. 

Allow this page to guide you through the common basement humidity issues and how professionals address them so you can make an informed decision for your home. 

What Is Basement Humidity? 

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. Relative humidity specifically measures the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum amount present at a given temperature. 

Basement humidity becomes a problem when relative humidity levels exceed 55-60% for extended periods. This provides optimal conditions for issues like: 

• Condensation 
• Mold growth
• Efflorescence on concrete walls and floors 
• Musty odors 
• Pest infestations 
• Interior deterioration 
• Structural damage 
• Damp surfaces 
• Wet basement walls 

Ignoring humidity can lead to adverse effects that impact your home’s safety and your family’s health. Addressing basement humidity requires understanding the root causes and implementing solutions to control moisture sources. 

What Causes Basement Humidity? 

Several factors contribute to humidity and dampness in basements, including: 

• Water Intrusion: Water can leak inside through cracks in walls, floors, joints, and openings around pipes, wires, and windows. 
• Water Seepage: Groundwater easily seeps through porous concrete walls or floors. 
• Internal Leaks: Plumbing pipes can burst, and appliances like water heaters and washers can leak inside the basement. 
• Exterior Drainage: Damaged gutters and downspouts, and improper landscape grading cause rainwater and snowmelt runoff to collect around the foundation. 
• Outdoor Humidity and Poor Ventilation: Many basements lack proper ventilation and air circulation. Open basement windows and wall cracks also allow high outdoor humidity levels to condense on cool basement surfaces. 
• Poor Insulation: Many basements lacking adequate insulation worsen the problem by allowing warm, moist air to come into contact with cooler basement walls, creating condensation.  
• Indoor Cleaning Chores: Baths, laundry, and other household activities add moisture to indoor air. 

Addressing these issues at the source is crucial for effective humidity control.  

Can You Fix Basement Humidity? 

Absolutely, basement humidity can be permanently fixed with the right waterproofing solutions. Complete elimination of excess moisture requires treating the root causes. Quick fixes like store-bought dehumidifiers and moisture absorbers temporarily reduce humidity and cannot repair the underlying problems. 

We recommend our comprehensive basement waterproofing system to completely waterproof and stabilize your home. These solutions create a cleaner, healthier, and more usable basement environment. 

How to Fix Humidity in Your Basement 

Effectively controlling basement humidity involves these key steps: 

• Inspection: We thoroughly assess your home and use tools like moisture meters and hygrometers. This allows us to pinpoint where water is entering and recommend appropriate solutions. 
• Interior Drainage: Our perimeter interior drains catch leaking water and direct it to a sump pump, keeping it away from your basement. 
• Sump Pump: Water collected by the interior drains is directed to a sump pump, which actively removes the water from your basement. 
• Wall Vapor Barrier: A thick vapor barrier prevents moisture penetration through basement walls. 
• Dehumidifier: Our powerful, energy-efficient dehumidifier controls moisture levels and improves indoor air quality. 

Ohio Basement Authority offers a proprietary line of products, each personalized to solve your unique problems, making our solutions far more effective than those you’ll find at a big box store. These solutions are protected by comprehensive, long-term, transferrable, nationally backed warranties. 

Why Address Humidity in Your Basement Now 

It’s vital to address basement humidity sooner rather than later due to the following: 

• Health Risks: High humidity levels encourage the growth of mold colonies, posing health risks and damaging surfaces. 
• Pest Infestations: Humidity attracts pests like spiders, termites, roaches, and small animals. It also causes musty odors. 
• Improve Air Quality: Eliminating dampness enhances your home’s air quality and helps prevent respiratory issues. 
• Structural Damage: Constant moisture can warp, rot, and weaken the foundation and structural components over time. 
• Utility Costs: Damp basements require more energy to heat or cool, leading to higher utility bills. 

By partnering with our basement waterproofing specialists, you can finally maintain a dry, comfortable, and usable basement space. Our specialized, proprietary solutions are designed to provide permanent relief from basement humidity. 

Contact Ohio Basement Authority for Reliable Basement Waterproofing Solutions 

Don’t disregard elevated humidity levels in your basement. Ensure your home remains dry with quality solutions from professionals like Ohio Basement Authority.  

We have been Ohio and Northern Kentucky’s trusted basement waterproofing partner for 15 years. Homeowners know they can rely on our customer care, expertise, and unique products. Experience the excellence for yourself. Contact us today to book your free inspection and estimate.