The Causes of Moisture in Basements — and the Solutions
What you need to look for before you start a basement project
The U of M Extension describes moisture in basements as “a problem that can damage your health and home.” We couldn’t agree more. As more basements are finished to increase living space, add to the bedroom and bathroom count, and increase resale value, there’s a greater risk of water infiltration problems going ignored. But when homeowners paper over these issues or sweep them under the rug — quite literally — they run a serious risk of mold or mildew damaging their home, and their health.
How to identify moisture
In identifying the major causes of moisture in basements, the UofM Extension presents a clear-cut, compelling case to hire experienced contractors before you undertake any basement remodeling or water infiltration mitigation work.
That systematic approach is best handled by experienced contractors, as it involves not only determining the source of water infiltration, but also determining and implementing the right way to stop it. This can range from anything from small cosmetic fixes to extensive, expensive foundation work. Because the sources of water, and the solutions to mitigate it can vary so widely, working with experienced contractors ensures that things are done right the first time, before the problem can spread and get worse.
The UofM’s article is full of valuable information, diving into the possible sources of moisture, the mechanisms with which it moves, and step-by-step solutions for addressing each possible situation.
What can I do to prevent basement moisture?
We encourage you to read it, arm yourself with information, and then contact us with any questions you might have, or to get started fixing your basement moisture problems for good.