Ventilation Is Crucial for a Dry Basement: Whole House Air Exchangers Help Waterproof Your Basement

Water in your basement is never a good thing. From structural deterioration to mold growth, damp basements create a number of hazards for your home. When you have wet basement problems, it's critical to get your basement dry and keep it that way. In addition to standard basement waterproofing strategies, you may want to consider a whole house air exchanger. Increasing ventilation and improving the overall air quality of your home, these systems can help ensure your basement stays dry!


Basement Waterproofing


Musty odors? Visible mold and mildew? Buckling or bowing walls? You likely have a basement moisture problem. Even when you don't see water, any of these problems is a sign of a leaky foundation. Damaging moisture is seeping into your home, so you need to attack it at its source! There are a variety of basement waterproofing methods and resources, so be sure that your contractor has tailored your water remediation to suit your home. The most important aspect of any basement drying solution is to identify the moisture's entry point and eliminate it. A number of options are available for sealing your basement and removing water, including:

• Interior drain tiles


• Sump pump installation


• Battery or back up sump pumps


• Vinyl wall sheeting


• Crawl space encapsulation


• Epoxy wall and floor paint


• Foundation crack repair

In addition to these basement waterproofing methods, you may also want to use a whole house air exchanger to provide ventilation and dramatically decrease humidity.


Whole House Air Exchangers


Cool, moist air is heavier than warm dry air, so it typically settles and stagnates in your basement or crawl space. This generates a damp atmosphere conducive to mold growth and structural damage. Even if your basement is completely waterproofed, this moist air can create water problems from the inside! A whole house air exchanger eliminates this wet basement issue by venting damp air from the basement to the outside and replacing it with drier air from inside your house. This cycle of air exchange removes moisture from your basement, producing a dry, healthy atmosphere and providing continuous ventilation. Automatically controlled by a humidistat, your air exchanger uses little electricity and provides for ideal comfort throughout your home by removing radon, mold, and other pollutants along with the humid air. When simple basement waterproofing isn't enough, an air exchanger can go the extra mile to keep your basement dry and your home healthy!


Promptly and thoroughly addressing your wet basement problems is critical. The longer your foundation cracks and moisture issues are left unaddressed, the more serious they become. If you suspect you have water in your home, contact your local basement waterproofing company immediately. Ask about whole house air exchangers as part of your complete basement water remediation system.

Matt Gallo is a home improvement hobbyist and the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leader in search engine optimization for local businesses.