How To Control Basement Water Seepage

Let's define what make crawlspaces gross places to begin with. They're damp, they smell and they're hard to get in and out of. The first two of these problems can be solved by drying out the space. There are a few steps to doing just that, but it's worth it.

Seal it off
The first step to drying out a crawlspace is to seal (or encapsulate) the earth or concrete from the home. This is best done with a thick, plastic vapor barrier. These work the best because they block water vapor and they're thick enough not to rip when service people crawl on it. Since the liner seals off moisture, the humidity and temperature will begin to stabilize.

Humidity Control

Another bonus to the right type of plastic vapor barriers is that they can brighten the space with the available lighting, if they are white in color. This may not sound like a big deal but when you're in there, any light that can be reflected can make a big difference in how well you see your surroundings.

Get a sump
Sump pumps are another great tool in the fight against moisture. They take water out of the space and direct it back outside, far from your home. Having a professional waterproofing contractor install a sump pump can save the "do-it-yourselfer" a lot of aggravation and money in the long-run.

Sump pumps are most often useful in periods of heavy rain. They are available with one pump, two pumps or even three. The extra pumps can help in case one pump malfunctions or just has a hard time keeping up with the volume of water being thrown at it or if the power goes out. Sump pump alarms are another accessory which let you know when water has risen too high in the liner. This will give you warning and time to check out the situation or call for service.

Dry it out
Humid and moist air is a huge culprit in keeping homes full of smelly mold and mildew. One of the best ways to combat this is to install a dehumidifier. Some companies even carry ones that are made specifically for crawl spaces, not basements. What they do is wring water out of the air like a towel. This dries out the air and (when used consistently) prevents mold and mildew from being able to thrive.

This is a big deal because air flow in a home is from bottom to top. Air comes from the below grade space and travels up into the house and eventually leaves through the attic. If a home is full of moist and humid air, mold and mildew will thrive and spread throughout the home.

Often times this can cause chronic allergies and asthma issues for family members. Plus, mold and mildew are the culprits behind that "musty smell" that plague many homes across the country. When a dehumidifier is constantly used, it results in a drier crawlspace and less health problems due to mold and mildew. You'll need one that is powerful enough to do the job energy efficiently and will clean the air as well. It's a winning solution that can solve your water seepage problem when used in conjunction with the aforementioned tools.

How To Control Basement Water Seepage