The Importance of Basement Dehumidification

If you’ve never had a damp basement, you’ve probably not given any thought to why it’s important to dehumidify your basement.  If your basement is damp, however, you are probably very familiar with the side effects that can cause.  Wall cracking, leaking pipes, mold, poor air quality and more – these are all potential risks of a wet or damp basements. 

Basement dehumidification, or the process of removing humidity from basement air, can help with all of these negative side effects.  Apart from heading off water damage and helping to reduce the risk of mold growth, dehumidification can improve air quality and exchange, ventilation and moisture control.  The benefits of having a good-quality, energy-efficient dehumidification system in your home far outweigh the initial purchase cost.  Among the principle benefits of dehumidification for your basement are:

Mold reduction

Installing a dehumidifier in your basement makes the environment less hospitable to the growth of mold.  Mold is dangerous and costly to remove, so it’s always a better to take steps to reduce the risk of it growing in the first place.

Promotion of better health

Stale, humid air circulating through the house can cause a variety of health issues, mostly related to the respiratory system.  Inhaling allergens, bacteria, hold and dust as they are circulated throughout the home can lead to more colds, flus, allergic reactions, asthma, coughing, and other respiratory issues.  A dehumidifier reduces those risks by removing the moisture in the air and recirculated fresh air throughout the home’s ductwork.

Energy efficiency

Damp air is heavier than dry air.  Because of that, damp air is also harder to heat and cool than dry air.  When you have excessive moisture in the air, your air conditioning or heating systems have to work harder to heat or cool the air effectively.  That can result in increased energy costs.

More livable space, better selling potential

When your basement is damp or wet, chances are you don’t use it.  Not only does that mean that you aren’t getting as much use out of your home as you could, but it also means that your basement could be a deterrent for potential buyers for your home.  A dry basement is one that can be used by your own family and also one that potential buyers for your home could see themselves using.   

A humid or wet basement can cause a whole variety of problems.  From health problems for your family and structural problems for your house to increased energy costs and lower resale value, having a damp basement is never a good thing.  Fortunately, companies like www.affordablewaterproofingllc.com offer a variety of dehumidification options for every homeowner’s needs, from single-room units to those that are designed to dehumidify the entire house at once.  Consider your options and find the unit that best suits your needs.