Spring is here after a very long winter, but while the flowers are blooming and birds are chirping there can still be hidden water problems in your basement. Especially in the spring and summer when there hasn't been any rain. We get calls from homeowners who tell us that the corners of their basement are damp or there are little puddles of water. They want us to fix the problem.
There are two things that could be going on. One is condensation because concrete never dries. Condensation is when a cold surface, the concrete, hits a warmer surface that has moisture in it, the air. This makes condensation. Why a corner? Because you have the left, right, and floor of the corners that are all made of concrete. So, these areas tend to get condensation.
Or, is there water coming through? We know outside a lot of times in the corners of a home there are downspouts and they could be letting water in. So, you run a hose outside on the ground for about 45 minutes turn it off for 15, do it a couple times. If no water comes in, it's condensation.
Homeowners can eliminate or reduce condensation in the basement by installing a dehumidifier that will take the moist air out for less condensation. But, some people make the mistake, on a nice spring day, of opening up a window to get some air in the basement. Well, they are getting nice fresh air in, but they are also getting more condensation. Don't open your basement windows.
Clothes dryers also let out a gallon and a half of moisture into the air when they are drying clothes. So, it is important to be sure your dryer is properly vented to the outside.
For more information on basement waterproofing, contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.