Having a basement in your house is very common worldwide. They are used for various purposes by different homeowners and provide an extra space apart from the other rooms available in the house. Basements that have daylight reaching them are used as maintenance rooms, garages or even living spaces, whereas, the buried basements are commonly used as storage or laundry rooms.

As per the plumbers in Atascadero, CA or anywhere else, basements with windows and ventilation system are more at the risk of rot, mold and musty odors. This happens as a result of moisture migrating through some indoor or outdoor source to the basement. Drying out such damp basements might be an ongoing battle for some while for others it might be solvable by just a simple clean up.

Weather, temperature, construction of the house and local geography is also some of the most considerable factors according to plumbers in Atascadero, CA that determines the amount of humidity your basement would collect.

Here in this article, we’ve mentioned for you a variety of ways that can be used to dry out your basement, alone or in combination with others, to ensure that it stays dry and comfortable.

Identify Sources of Standing Water

Plumbers in Atascadero, CA believes that this is the essential step required to protect your basement from all sorts of dampness. If there is groundwater leaking in your house and the water keeps standing there then it will directly damage the base and fiberglass insulation of your house. It would further start damaging other items like seeping into the carpet, drywall and other absorbent materials present there.

Once the damage has started it will take no more than 48 hours for the mold to start growing and showing up on the visible as well as invisible spaces, thus leading to property damage and posing health issues.

It has been recommended by plumbers in Atascadero, CA that in order to avoid groundwater leakage problems you should install a sump pump along with a perimeter drain system to ensure a dry, comfortable and reliable space. You can also add a battery-powered backup system to provide you that extra assurance that even if the primary one fails you’ve got a secondary support to back it up.

Reseal the Concrete

Concrete is a porous substance and with time water can pass through it easily. Whenever the wind outside your house is humid, the moisture from it will be able to pass through the walls and enter the house. If your house is old and walls are untreated then your concrete is more prone to it. This would further lead to condensation, a process in which moisture from the wind is formed as beads of water on the surface of walls and floors.

This is one of the main contributors to creating dampness and giving rise to mold problems. Waterproof paints and coatings are not the solutions for this as they would begin to peel or flake off. Instead, plumbers in Atascadero, CA recommend concrete paint-and-sealer combo, mechanical wall panels, and floor matting to protect the walls and the floor. These combos and panels come in a variety of strengths and colors so you can find the one that works best for you and your place.

Seal the Air Leaks

Attending to the possible air leaks helps in avoiding moisture and dry out your basement. Seal leaky dryer vents, basement windows, and other small points with foil tape to prevent humidity in your basement. For leaky windows and vents, a silicone sealer or foam weather sealer is extremely useful.

Also as a further protection measure plumbers in Atascadero, CA suggest keeping the windows closed during humid weather, and adding a fan to the basement bathroom which you and your family should remember to turn it on during showers.

Attend to Gutters and Downspouts

If water is collecting on the outside of your house after rain and your basement starts leaking then it would be nearly impossible to prevent things from getting damp inside. Plumbers in Atascadero, CA suggests you add gutters to your house that channels the water to downspouts. These downspouts should also be at least four to five feet away from the house so that it moves the water away from your house’s foundations. This can be done with the help of horizontal extensions.

Install Energy Efficient Dehumidifier

Once the issue regarding standing water, leaks and humidity has been sorted out it would be beneficial for you to get a dehumidifier installed in your basement as per plumbers in Atascadero, CA. Opt for a dehumidifier that has functions like self-draining – so that there is no collection tray to remove after every couple of hours, blowing motor – to circulate air through the basement, air filter – to remove dust particles from the air and odor filter – to get rid of the pungent smell in the basement.

Inspect Outdoor Construction Features

Your gardens, patios, and grading can also add to creating moisture in your basement. Plumbers in Atascadero, CA suggest you to use cold patch to take care of cracks or holes in such places that would help drain water away from the house rather than collecting at one place.

The Bottom Line

These are some of the common ways to dry out your basement. If you still notice any signs of dampness or moisture in your basement after trying any of these methods or a combination of these then it is better to call in an expert professional to handle the issue. It is important not to try and fix it all on your because plumbers in Atascadero, CA believe that you may be calling for more trouble. If you are located in Atascadero, CA and are looking for experts in this field then get the help of Benjamin Franklin Plumber. For further assistance call their 24/7 emergency number }.