How to Have a Healthy Basement
Posted by
Doug Lynch on Thu, Jun 07, 2012 @ 04:54 AM
Healthy Basement Defininition
A healthy home needs a healthy basement. You can't have one without the other. The main house is above ground and has plenty of air circulation from the windows and doors being opened and closed each day. Also, because most of the living takes place in the main living areas, the main house is probably cleaned more often.
A healthy basement should be a standard, not a luxury. A free healthy basement inspection by A-1 Basement Solutions will help you understand the facts. The quality of the environment in the basement is of major concern because the basement environment affects the health of all the residents of the home.
As a homeowner it is important to understand the risks associated with basements in order to more clearly grasp the potential health risks to your family. With any home environmental or pollutant issues, the source of your health concern may lie in the basement level.
Uncontrolled water, moisture and humidity can allow nature can take a foothold in your basement. When you have moisture in the basement you get other things in the basement associated with that moisture, bad smells, mold, mildew, insects of all kinds, dry rot, rust and rodents.
Bad smells are nature's way of telling us something's wrong. Indoor odors are caused by both natural and man-made sources. These odors can be removed by improving the home's ventilation, purifying the air and being aware of everyday activities. If your basement smells bad something is wrong with the basement and you need to have it checked out.
Understanding the Moisture Problem
To correct basement moisture problems, it is necessary to understand where the water and moisture is coming from. Water and moisture enter from the outside of the building to the basement interior four ways:
1. Water through the floor.
2. Water through the walls
3. Water vapor through the walls and floor
4. Humidity through the air
Dryness is paramount to a healthy basement. If your basement is damp or floods on occasion your first concern must be in controlling the water that invades it. Cracks can be repaired or a French Drain and sump pump can be installed. The French Drain and sump pump will control numbers 1 & 2, and then you need a pump with an alternative power source. We use a water powered emergency sump pump for when the electricity goes out.
Do I Need Ventilation in my Basement?
Once the water intrusion is brought under control the next step is to deal with the water vapor and humidity. To remove the water vapor and humidity in the basement a ventilation system is required. A ventilation system will replace the air in the basement with fresher air from the upper floors four to six times per day automatically with no bucket to empty or filter to replace.
A simple dehumidifier will not work because it does not promote air circulation and only operate during the warmer months. A basement ventilation system such as the E-Z Breathe ventilation system will remove humidity and give air exchanges continuously throughout the day.
Should I get my Basement Inspected?
A-1 Basement Solutions gives free basement health inspections to New Jersey homeowners. Contact A-1 Basement Solutions at 908-322-1313, or info@A-1Basements.com for a free in-home inspection and detailed quote.
A-1 gives full service guaranteed work and competitive pricing every day.
We do everything for you. By taking care of all the details, A-1 Basement Solutions makes the job worry free. Our motto is No Problems…Just Solutions.
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