How To Keep Moisture Out Of Basement Floor

Some basements just have a dirt floor and water vapor can easily enter the basement through the soil.

How to keep moisture out of basement floor.

Odor of mold or mildew. This page briefly describes moisture sources moisture movement mechanisms and typical basement moisture problems. Step 2 understand that the recommended humidity level in a home during the summer is below 65 percent to minimize potential mold growth. Take up peeling flooring to allow the surface of the subfloor to dry out.

Deteriorating carpet or wood. To prevent this from happening cover the floor with sheets of 6 millimeter plastic. Now that you know there is moisture let s find out where it is coming from. Then a step by step process for addressing each problem is presented along with several detailed approaches to solving the problem.

Basement moisture is common it can be exceedingly difficult to remove 100 percent of the moisture from some basements. Basement moisture typically comes from one of 3 sources rain or. Keep excavation free of water. Overlap the seams of the plastic to prevent moisture from getting through and attach the plastic to the walls with tape or staples.

The informal test you did with the plastic patch is a sure sign of excessive moisture in the floor. Plugging them probably won t solve basement leaks but it ll help. Keep below grade excavations free of water to prevent potential reservoirs of moisture that can migrate upward through slabs. If you can t keep subsurface water out you ll have to channel it from the inside.

Water trickling out of walls. Rotting columns headers and joists. To create an interior drain system saw a channel around the perimeter of the floor chip out the concrete and lay perforated pipe in the hole. If you see any of these signs you are experiencing moisture in your basement.

The pipe drains to a collection tank at the basement s low spot where a sump pump shoots it out the house. Standing water on the floor. Excessive moisture below concrete slabs can cause structural degradation of soil bearing strengths and swelling and shrinkage of soil. Opening basement windows and installing a fan will keep the air in the basement circulating and help dry things out however you need to eliminate the moisture or it will come back.

Holes and cracks in your foundation can let moisture and water seep into your basement. These can adversely affect a concrete slab on grade. But there are reliable methods of drying out your basement or at least creating a more dry basement than you already have. Make any necessary repairs to stop the moisture then dry out the ceiling with fans.

Hydraulic cement works great for patching holes in a foundation because it can set up even under water and it expands as it sets to seal the hole and lock the plug in place. Standing water on floor.