The Causes of Moisture in Basements — and the Solutions
What you need to look for before you start a basement project
The U of M Extension describes moisture in basements as “a problem that can damage your health and home.” We couldn’t agree more. As more basements are finished to increase living space, add to the bedroom and bathroom count, and increase resale value, there’s a greater risk of water infiltration problems going ignored. But when homeowners paper over these issues or sweep them under the rug — quite literally — they run a serious risk of mold or mildew damaging their home, and their health.
“Moisture problems are not only annoying and uncomfortable, but can lead to significant health problems. Molds and mildew can grow in damp carpets and beneath wall coverings. Finishing a basement without first dealing with the moisture problems can result in making health conditions worse and lead to significant damage as well. Basement water problems are solvable, but there is a cost to doing it right.”
How to identify moisture
In identifying the major causes of moisture in basements, the UofM Extension presents a clear-cut, compelling case to hire experienced contractors before you undertake any basement remodeling or water infiltration mitigation work.
“Sometimes problems are traced to poor construction with cracking, settling foundations. In many cases, however, houses and basements can be structurally sound but are often not properly built to handle water drainage. Failure to slope the ground surface away from the foundation or lack of a good gutter and downspout system is common. Missing or nonfunctioning subsurface drainage systems are also found relatively frequently. These problems can all be addressed and corrected if a systematic approach is used.”
That systematic approach is best handled by experienced contractors, as it involves not only determining the source of water infiltration, but also determining and implementing the right way to stop it. This can range from anything from small cosmetic fixes to extensive, expensive foundation work. Because the sources of water, and the solutions to mitigate it can vary so widely, working with experienced contractors ensures that things are done right the first time, before the problem can spread and get worse.
The UofM’s article is full of valuable information, diving into the possible sources of moisture, the mechanisms with which it moves, and step-by-step solutions for addressing each possible situation.
What can I do to prevent basement moisture?
We encourage you to read it, arm yourself with information, and then contact us with any questions you might have, or to get started fixing your basement moisture problems for good.