In most of our homes, basements have a well-known reputation of being musty, damp, and underused. After every long, wet, and humid summer, excess moisture is likely to find its way into our houses from the soil underneath and around the basement. Maintaining ideal humidity levels of 40-60% in the basement has a significant effect on the conditions of my house especially in summer and during the rainy months of the year.
Here’s why I keep my basement free of excess moisture.
High Humidity is Unhealthy
Normal humidity levels guarantee our comfort in the house. Excess moisture can lead to serious health problems since microbes that thrive in humid environments are the leading cause of asthma and allergies. Therefore, using a dehumidifier for basement prevents the entry of excess moisture into my house by controlling the humidity levels thus ensuring the well-being of my family.
General Household Comfort
When excess moisture spreads from the basement to other rooms in my house, temperatures will feel higher than they are. This certainly makes the house feel stuffy and uncomfortable to stay in for long periods. Getting rid of the excess moisture especially during the warm months of the year by dehumidifying the basement will make the house feel less stuffy and more comfortable. Most air conditioners work by dehumidifying the air and can help keep rooms free of excess moisture.
Protects Electronics from Damage
Excess moisture does harm not only my family but also electronics since they are highly vulnerable to destruction by condensation. Moisture typically corrodes electronics thus lowering their insulation resistance. This, in turn, leads to short-circuiting, which is the leading cause of electronics failure. Well as I do want to utilize my basement for home office keeping it free of humidity is the most important aspect for me.
Mold Prevention
Mold is my worst nightmare at home due to the danger that it poses to my loved ones and property. Damp and moist air provides the ideal conditions for mold to thrive. Mold can spread quite fast from the basement to other areas of the house thus causing an array of allergies including skin rashes, throat and eye irritation, and sneezing. The growth of mold on walls might be inconspicuous, but it considerably weakens the building.
Improves Air Quality
In as much as using air purifiers are the most efficient way of cleansing air of potentially hazardous substances, dehumidifying the basement plays a role in enhancing the indoor air quality in my house. I cannot keep the quality of the air in my house at an acceptable level if the environment is humid.
Elimination of Dust Mites
Dust mites rank among the leading causes of asthma and allergy-related conditions such as wheezing. Typically, dust mites thrive in warm and humid climates. Keeping the basement without moisture goes a long way in eliminating conditions that encourage dust mites to flourish. Dust mites cannot survive when humidity is maintained at 40-60% and therefore, dehumidifying my house creates a harsh environment for these tiny mites.
Protects My Home
Prolonged dampness coupled with high humidity levels in the basement can destroy the structural integrity of any building. When humid air from my basement gets drawn upwards into the rest of the home, it becomes warmer. This creates a vacuum effect that causes more air to rise upwards. This air often travels via gaps, cracks, or vents in the basement.
Over time, excess moisture takes its toll on all components of a building including its wooden support beams which might bend, crack, or split due to the prolonged exposure. High humidity in the basement also causes metal fittings throughout the house to rust thus weakening the entire building.
Cost Savings
Just like any other homeowner out there, I usually aim at minimizing the operational costs of my home. Removing moisture from the basement enables me to make significant cost savings in the long run. By maintaining the recommended humidity levels, my AC unit won’t get subjected to extreme use to support the right temperatures in the house. This directly translates to lower electric bills besides lengthening the lifespan of my HVAC system.
Protection from Pests
Reducing humidity levels in the basement dissuade pests from entering my home. Generally, basements act as conduits through which pests enter our homes. They also act as breeding grounds because they are often underutilized unlike other areas of the house. Dampness attracts insects such as mosquitos and pests such as mice. Humid conditions are attractive to pests and insects, which are a nuisance besides being destructive to the building’s components. Dehumidifying the basement keeps them at bay.
Our homes need to be comfortable and cozy at all times. However, high humidity makes the entire place muggy, clammy, and worse still, uninhabitable. Humid conditions similarly lead to musty odors in homes which is why it’s so important to keep your basement free of humidity. What’s more, high humidity makes food get moldy and go stale quickly. By maintaining low humidity in the basement, we create a comfortable atmosphere that guarantees the well-being of our loved ones.
