Basements are notoriously prone to dampness and high humidity. Humidity levels above 50% significantly increase the amount of water vapor present in the air. This can cause mold to grow, furniture warp, wood to rot and metal to rust. If the cause of excessive moisture is from condensation due to high humidity, basement dehumidifiers may be the solution.
Water typically enters basements by 1 of 3 ways:
1) Seepage through concrete
2) Leakage via cracks and openings
3) Condensation
Of these three, condensation is the main culprit behind damp basements. Condensation happens when warm air that is carrying more moisture than cool air begins to build up and as the air cools it releases moisture in the form of condensation. Depending on the severity of the problem, high basement humidity can lead to:
Musty smells
Mold & mildew growth
Blistering/peeling paint
Wood rot
Discolored/peeling wallpaper
Rusting tools
Condensation dripping from pipes
Wet insulation
Damp carpets
Left unchecked, these problems can lead to structural damage of your basement and house and can even adversely affect the health of you and your family. There are several types of molds that cause allergic reactions in people and a few are actually toxic.
Using a high quality basement dehumidifier is one of the most effective ways to protect your home and your health from humidity related problems. Basement dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by using 3 essential components: a fan, a cold coil and a hot coil. The fan draws air from the basement over the cold coil to condense the moisture. The condensed moisture is then released into a holding pan or removed via a drain hose or condensate pump. The dry air then passes over the hot coil, returning dry air to the basement.
Many homeowners have the misconception that they have to keep turning the dehumidifier on and off every day. In fact, most high quality basement dehumidifiers are equipped with a humidistat. Simply set the humidistat at your desired level and a sensor will automatically turn off the dehumidifier once the desired humidity level is achieved.
Before you consider purchasing a basement dehumidifier it's important to be certain the problem is condensation and not a leak. Try the following test to determine if your basement as a leak or a condensation problem:
Firmly tape a 10" x 10" plastic sheet onto the basement wall where you have noticed dampness
Seal the edges of the plastic with tape
Examine the plastic over the next few days
If there is moisture on the wall side (inside) of the plastic there is a leak
Moisture on the room side (outside) of the plastic means there is a condensation problem
If you are considering remodeling your basement, you should purchase a hygrometer and check the humidity level before you do anything else. Even if you're not transforming your basement into a finished one, basement dampness is not a problem you should ignore. Basement dehumidifiers are frequently the easiest and most effective solution to basement humidity problems.
Autor: Chuck Jaymes
About the Author - Chuck Jaymes writes frequently about Basement Dehumidifiers and air quality issues for OscarAir, Inc.
Added: December 24, 2008
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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1 Comment:
Besides foundation problems, do you know how many health problems basement dampness may cause? I assure you, numerous health problems are the result of living in a humid area. That's why if you don't care about your building, do care for your children's and your health. A dehumidifier can greatly help you to reduce dampness in your basement.
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