Damp Basement – Make it Better

30Apr09

One of the most important features of a good, healthy and long-lasting home is a tough and sturdy basement. However, basement-related problems are not uncommon, and, if not attended to quickly, can grow serious. Thus, basement remodeling is an important issue, which homeowners have to consider from time to time. This is particularly so in case there are certain definite problems affecting the basement area. One of the most common problems in this context is a damp basement.

Damp Basement

A basement that remains damp all the time is a source of great inconvenience. However, before undertaking a basement remodeling project, the probable causes of this problem need to be identified. Basement dampness can be caused by the growth of certain live elements (like molds, mildews and such growths). If there is a problem of water seeping through the walls or the ceiling, then that too can result in a basement remaining damp. Also, a high level of humidity in the rooms of a house, a problematic damp basement may result.

Water leaking is one of the most important reasons of a damp basement. Leakage can occur from bathtubs, water pipes, showers and toilets. Water can also move from outside the house, if there exist cracks and/or gaps in the windows or doors of houses. In case regular leakage of water occurs on the basement of a house that should be fixed at first. Hence, if water keeps on leaking, from various sources, plumbers have to be hired.

Everyday activities at home result in increase in the overall humidity of your house. Such activities include common ones, like drying clothes, having a shower or even, cooking. These actions can result in an increase in the moisture content in the basement regions. Over time, this moisture evaporates, which leads to a rise in the indoor humidity level. This, in turn, can keep the basement damp at all times. If such is indeed the case, basement remodeling projects need to be preceded by effective measures to keep the humidity levels at home under control. Heating and cooling contractors may also be hired, if the humidity problems are being caused due to heating or cooling issues.

Proper identification of the cause of the dampness in the basement is necessary for appropriate basement remodeling jobs. This dampness can, in turn, can occur at different parts of the basement. The different common parts from where basement dampness can start to spread are the ceiling areas, corners of the rooms or the region below bathrooms. If the source of dampness is recognized to be a large area, it is, in all probability, caused by molds or other such growths.

In case there is a problem of damp basement in your house, you would probably need to undertake a basement remodeling project. For effective, long term solutions to basement dampness issues, householders have to spot the areas which are bringing in dampness to the basement areas. The probable causes of the damp basement need also be examined. Accordingly, basement remodeling should be done in such a way that, it can solve the problems of basement dampness. Identification of the causes of a damp basement is necessary to prevent this problem from resurfacing over time.

Removing the problem of damp basements can cost any amount between $ 2000 and $ 12000. This wide range of price is particularly due to the fact that, different corrective measures need to be taken, according to the source of the problem. Thus, the money that needs to be spent depends mainly on the type of work that needs to be done in the basement remodeling projects in this context.

Filed under: Home Improvement   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: basment remodeling, damp basement