A wet basement can cause numerous problems but there are solutions to turn a wet basement into a dry basement. If your basement is already used as living space, water can wreak havoc on wall insulation and flooring. Even if you only use your basement for storage, damp from below can cause most any floor above to warp and promote the growth of unhealthy mold and mildew.
The primary cause of wet basements is runoff from rainfall or melting snow. Just one day's heavy rainfall can dump a huge amount of water onto your roof and it has to runoff somewhere. This ground water could sit around your house and easily start seeping through a basement wall. A more difficult problem to solve is if the water getting into your basement is coming from below ground, such as from a natural spring. If the water is collecting around the foundation of the house, it can work its way in through any cracks or even just through porous concrete. Getting a professional in to do the job can be expensive. But don't panic, it is quite possible that the solution to your wet basement problems is something you can do yourself.
Your first step to achieving a dry basement is finding out why it is wet in the first place. It may just be that you have a condensation problem that would be cured by adequate ventilation or the addition of a dehumidifier. If you have a leaking pipe, turn the water supply off and fix it. Whatever the source of the problem is it needs to be tackled before you start cleaning up.
If you have any windows or vents in the basement, make sure they are fully open to let in some fresh air. If there is a musty smell it is likely that mold or mildew has already started to grow and spores from this can be hazardous to your health if inhaled. Make sure to keep any children or pets out of the basement and wear a mask yourself while you are in there. If there is any carpet, linoleum or rugs in the basement this has to be pulled up to allow the floor to dry out. Cleaning the carpet while it is still in place won't help and it must be removed or it can be a health risk for everyone in the home. Any padding under the flooring also needs to be removed and thoroughly dried before it is replaced.
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