The Causes & Effects of Basement Moisture

Moisture in your basement is bad, but, not as bad as visible water, right? Maybe not. 

Moisture can be sneaky. Hiding behind boxes and lurking in the air. High moisture levels are easier to ignore, but that doesn’t make it okay. Moisture on basement walls and floor breeds mold, and high humidity causes condensation, resulting in even more problems. 

This article explores common causes of basement moisture and how it affects your home.  

One of the obvious reasons for basement moisture is water leaks. Your basement is essentially a hole in the ground with loose backfilled soil surrounding it.  

This loose soil allows water to easily penetrate causing an artificial water table just outside your basement. Water pressure pushing on your wall causes cracks, allowing water and water vapor to easily enter. 

When your home was initially built, crews should have graded your yard to direct water away, rather than toward your foundation.  

Over time, erosion, new construction, or general use can cause the grade to shift, directing water to pool next to your foundation. 

By hiring a landscaping company, you can correct the grade, ensuring water flows away from your home.

Your gutter system plays an important role in keeping your basement dry since its main goal is to direct water away from your foundation. Failing gutters and downspouts can cause basement moisture very quickly. 

Homeowners should clean gutters at least once a year and inspect them regularly to make sure there aren’t any clogs. Broken or sagging gutters dump water directly next to your home, causing erosion and contributing to troublesome hydrostatic pressure.

Like other appliances, a sump pump is prone to mechanical issues and has a lifespan of around 10 years. To stop basement moisture issues, be sure to inspect your sump pump regularly, flushing it with water to ensure it works properly. 

Installing a unit with multiple backup pumps, especially a dedicated pump in case of a power outage goes a long way to ensuring peace of mind.   

Humidity in Pennsylvania is a real problem. Your basement is humid and often cooler than the main living area of your home. When the warm air mixes with the humid, cool air in the basement, condensation occurs.  

High humidity leading to condensation causes mold and mildew, often in areas that aren’t easily visible. 

While basement windows allow in much-needed natural light, they are also a common cause of water leaks. Epoxy and caulk can help temporarily, but replacing leaking windows is the only way to stop basement moisture.

When homeowners think of basement moisture, they think of mold. 

Mold causes respiratory problems, like sneezing and coughing, and can be especially troublesome for children, the elderly, and those with asthma.

Mold needs three things to survive: water, oxygen, and food. Organic material, like the wood responsible for holding your home’s weight, is the perfect food source for mold.  

Mold eats away at wood, causing the wood to rot and leaving your home’s structural integrity at risk. 

What is that smell?  

Often musty odors are the first sign of a basement moisture issue. Not only does mold have a damp, earthy smell, but standing water and damp carpeting express a pungent odor to alert you to a problem. 

Humid air causes temperatures to feel warmer, resulting in homeowners cranking up the AC.  

Increased air conditioning usage leads to high energy consumption, leaving you with a big bill. 

Dark, damp areas are the ideal environment for all kinds of creepy crawlers. From ants to spiders, and even rodents, a basement with moisture issues is ideal.  

You can be sure pests won’t stay in the basement. Once they gain access, they are sure to travel throughout the living area of your home.

• Interior drainage
• Sump pumps
• Anti-freeze discharge lines
• Wall vapor barriers
• Dehumidifiers