If you ask homeowners what the wettest place in their house is, chances are most of them will answer without hesitation: the basement. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering if there’s anything you can do about it. Read our article as our building experts present you with 5 tips to keep your basement from looking like a horror movie…

First of all, let’s ask ourselves, why are our basements so wet? Although there is no universal answer to this question, we can identify some common causes. A basement is a place where we store a lot of objects, surrounded by concrete, and which is, by definition, underground…

To find out if you have abnormally high humidity in your basement, ask yourself the following questions :

• Is there visible mold on the walls, floors or even the ceiling?
• Are the walls damp to the touch?
• Is there condensation on any objects in the room?
• Do you detect a musty, earthy or “basement” smell?
• If you store items in the basement, is there mold on any items?
• Are papers, books or magazines stored in the basement warped or stained by moisture?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to take advantage of these tips to reduce the humidity in your basement:

1. Make sure the air is circulating!
We may be tempted to open the basement windows in the summer… Although this is a normal reflex, it will increase the humidity level in the basement! Ensure air circulation by maintaining a minimum space of 2 inches between furniture and foundation walls, open curtains during the day, reduce storage in closets and if you have a ceiling or floor fan, run it to increase air circulation. In winter, make sure heated air reaches all rooms in the basement.

2. Keep it clean!
Storing large amounts of personal belongings, boxes, books or clothing in your basement increases the risk of mold growth. Being very fond of organic matter, mold can easily grow in dark, hidden spaces in the basement. Avoid cardboard in the basement and place your items in plastic bins. This may also help sort through forgotten items…

3. Seal all openings
Openings and cracks in the foundation can allow moist air from outside to enter your basement, increasing the humidity level. By sealing these holes, you will prevent this process from happening and by doing so, you could avoid possible water infiltration!

4. Maintain a proper temperature
Moisture levels are more likely to be high if your basement is kept at low temperatures. And cold surfaces can lead to condensation and mold… Keeping your basement heating temperature warm enough (above 18C) will help prevent moisture build-up, even in the summer!

5. Get a dehumidifier
Using a dehumidifier in the basement during the hot and humid seasons is an effective way to reduce high relative humidity. Get an efficient, quiet unit with a large dehumidifying capacity. Place the unit in an open space, in the center of the basement, to ensure good air circulation. It is a good practice to maintain a maximum rate of 60% in summer and 35% in winter, or even less when it is very cold.