September 13, 2018
Warm, Wet, Basement Air In Upstate New York we welcome the warmer weather for the few months a year we break from the cold we're known for. As much as we all love a few months of sunshine and warmth, it does come with a side effect of humidity. And as uncomfortable as humidity can be for us, it can be even worse for your basement. Humidity can create a breeding ground for mold and dampness when it's warm out, which can cause major issues. Mold not only can cause health issues but even structural damage to your home. Although Everdry Waterproofing of Upstate New York is happy to provide mold removal solutions, preventative care of your basement is always a good idea. Here are a few tips for keeping your basement at low humidity through the warm summer months. Measure Humidity A healthy basement humidity is around 50% for Upstate New York. This can be done with a humidity reader (also called a hygrometer) from your local home improvement store. You also can visually determine if the basement is too moist by keeping an eye on what your walls look like in cooler months and if there is condensation on them in the summer months.
Causes of Humidity Humidity is caused by the presence of water. If you aren't seeing any leaks or puddles anywhere, then the humidity is coming from another cause like: Water under your foundation Appliances that are ventilating in the basement (such as your dryer) Outside warm air has access to the basement Find Solutions to the Humidity Shut your windows. You may think that letting outside air in helps the air circulate around the space, but it's actually just letting more humid air in Get a ventilation system and supplement as needed with fans Get an EZ Breathe system installed by Everdry Waterproofing of Upstate New York that goes one step further than a dehumidifier and gets rid of the moisture and humidity If you do find leaks or puddles in your basement or need an expert opinion on what to do with basement moisture, contact Everdry Waterproofing of Upstate New York for your free estimate!