Dealing With A Musty Basement
Lee Dobbinsd

Defined Tag: Musty Basement.

A musty basement can cause a lot of problems but luckily there are many ways to deal with this.  Unfortunately, by nature basements can tend to be a little wet and musty since they located underneath the ground with few windows and doors causing ventilation to be nearly impossible. 

This can cause a variety of problems, however. Dampness, for example, will lead to moisture buildup which can foul up a secluded portion of the house really fast. Additionally, molds can grow, which will ruin the furniture and structures we have invested on, not to mention the health hazards they pose. But the number one concern that is caused by a musty basement is the weakening of the very foundations of the house. Water can deteriorate the basement, and this may eventually lead to the collapse of the entire building.

Indeed, something must be done to solve the problem of having a musty basement.

Here are some solutions you may want to consider:

* if you are building a new house make sure that you angled basement in such a way that water will not accumulate.  Putting on a slight slant will allow water to flow outside of the house instead of coming into the basement.  This is important for homes that are built in areas where there are heavy rains and a lot of snow or generally wet areas.

* Fix leakages as soon as possible. Whether it's a faulty plumbing system or a hold on the roof, you have to seal it immediately. Prevent the water from coming in, and you'd have fewer things to worry about when it comes to having a musty basement.

* Waterproof the surfaces found in your basement. The flooring and the walls should be layered with materials that will prevent the accumulation of moisture in the pores. Many people mistakenly believe that if the basement is kept warm, mustiness can be prevented. This is hardly true. Humidity can cause the buildup of moisture, especially on the pores of the surfaces. Concrete, for example, though is very sturdy is likewise very porous. The moisture that will accumulate may be invisible for the naked eye as everything will transpire underneath the surface. Applying moisture-preventing membrane is the best way to deal with this. Installing panels for the same purpose is likewise recommended.

* Provide good air circulation.  A musty basement is usually one that has bad ventilation but you can improve on that by adding in an air conditioning system that moves the air around and investing in a good basement dehumidifier that will suck the moisture out of the air for you.