How to Reduce Basement Condensation

Anyone who has had this unpleasant experience of entering a soggy, stuffy basement would tell you how unbearable the smell can be. It is as bad as stinking socks. It is one of the signs of mold and mildew growth in your basement. It is especially bad for those trying to utilize their basements more practically by making them extensions of their homes. Though normally used for storage purposes, it may be needed in some houses for more regular use.

This smell comes from underground humidity and moisture problem. The basement moisture is caused by condensation problem. The basement allows a perfect home for moisture to accumulate and grow, which usually leads to molds, fungus and other related problems. By eliminating the condensation, we can get rid of all other ailments that accompany it.

Following these easy steps, we can remove basement condensation and thus do away with this hideous smell. Total eradication of condensation is obviously not possible but by reducing it to an extent, we can bring down the excess moisture and thus the odor to the minimum level.

1. Turn up the temperature.

Moisture breeds at low temperatures, so the first and foremost thing to do is to increase the temperature to reduce basement condensation. The quantity of moisture in the air is inversely proportional to the temperature, be it your basement or elsewhere. Most people have controls for their heating system in the basements too, which can be turned up a little. If there are windows big enough to let the sunlight in, you should open the curtain in day time and close them at night. It is a great idea to place the boiler in the basement for the purpose of raising heat for the subsequent drop in the condensation.

2. Covering the sources of moisture.

Dirt in a closed place always attracts moisture and makes the place smell strangely unpleasant. Concealing the dirt around the house with plastic bags may prove helpful. Water droplets will cover the plastic in 24 hours time, indicating the presence of moisture. Water piping becoming cold may even cause excess moisture problems in your basement, causing a chemical reaction depositing water. Insulating the cold water pipes helps reduce basement condensation. So, basement waterproofing is very important.

3. Better air circulation:

Better circulation keeps the air inside fresh and dry.

Exhaust fans are perfect for circulation purposes in all cases. By installing an exhaust you can reduce basement condensation to a great extent. Fresh airflow ensures exhaustion of humid air out of the room. This means effective reduction of moisture from the basement keeping the atmosphere inside dry and fresh. Clothes dryers play a positive role in this respect. By redirecting their vents that emit air rich in moisture out of the basement. This will successfully reduce basement condensation.

4. Get a dehumidifier:

Buying a dehumidifier for basement, which is specially manufactured for this purpose, to condition the basement air is a sure-shot manner by which you can reduce basement condensation.

By following these easy-to-follow steps, you can successfully get the situation under control by reducing moisture and making your basement odorless and a fresh place to live, work, play, study and simply be happy!