How To Dry Out Your Basement After Moisture
Basements can come into contact with moisture in a variety of ways, and for those with a finished basement area, the dry out process is particularly important. Drying out your wet basement can help to save your belongings, and your health, from mold growth, as well as property damage. After the dry out process is complete, we at AA Action Waterproofing recommend a thorough waterproofing of your basement to avoid the moisture from coming back, and this can help you to save yourself the inconvenience of performing the dry-out process on a more regular basis.
In the United States alone, around 60% of homeowners report having what we consider a wet basement. This moisture can be caused by a myriad of reasons, and even simple condensation from a change in temperature can cause your basement to grow moist. This study performed by the American Society of Home Inspectors found that 38% of those with wet basements are put in serious risk for mold growth, and the best way to curb mold growth is to make sure the basement remains amply dry.
The best way to dry out your wet basement is to make the space open to ventilation, and this is something not often available to in-ground basements. Opening up any doors, windows, or crawl spaces, as well as placing fans to encourage airflow, is an ideal way to promote ventilation in your space, and thereby help to dry out the basement area naturally.
During the ventilation process, it’s also important to check with your senses of sight and smell to determine if mold growth is present. It only takes a matter of hours for mold growth to begin, and a basement provides the perfect housing ground for the substance, so mold should always be a concern in cases of basement moisture. The CDC recommends any mold found should be removed and remediated within 24-48 hours to avoid the symptoms of mold exposure for those with certain health conditions.
Once you have determined if mold growth is present, and you’ve successfully dried your basement out, it’s important to take the steps necessary to ensure the problem won’t keep coming back. At AA Action Waterproofing, our professionals can waterproof your home and protect it from moisture situations, and if you have an ongoing moisture issue in your basement, we recommend calling us today.