Avoiding Mold and Other Problems
Most homeowners in the Merrimack Valley area have experienced a damp basement in their lifetime. If you have had a puddle, or some general dampness, you are probably in the majority. You may have even had a 'flooded' basement, with an inch or more of water covering almost every floor-surface area. Here are some tips to avoid having that dampness become more serious.
First of all, if your basement tends to feel or smell damp or musty, but you do not notice any puddles or flooding, you may be able to take care of the problem with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are not expensive, and are available at most major discount and department stores. You will especially want to invest in a dehumidifier if you use any part of your basement as 'living area' (e.g. a playroom, or family room).
If you have had puddles or flooding, your first step is to try to isolate the source of the problem. Early on at our new house, we noticed one particular area of our basement had a puddle forming each time it would rain. We had some gutters and downspouts installed, and my husband dug a 'trench' in the landscaping near that part of our foundation, so that water would run away from the problem area. This combination of simple and inexpensive steps has solved our problem.
If you have had serious flooding in your basement, you may need to take some serious steps. If you try to clean up the water yourself (using fans, dehumidifiers and shop-vacs) you may feel you are saving money. However, in the long term, you may be creating expensive and serious problems for yourself. You may need to rip up and replace any carpeting, or other flooring. You may need to hire a restoration firm to dry out your basement. Without taking these steps you run the risk of developing a mold problem (ugly, smelly, and unhealthy), or rot in your walls.