As the weather becomes cold, most of us are used to the humidity dropping, and in most cases, this is true. However, in some cases, your basement may only seem to get more humid. Basements are often the most humid parts of a home, and when moisture gets out of control, it can quickly lead to issues with mold and mildew. If your basement begins to feel humid or muggy this fall or winter, it is important to understand why it may be developing excessive humidity and take action quickly to prevent hazardous mold issues from developing.
Why Do Basements Develop High Humidity During the Fall and Winter?
Several factors can lead to your basement being humid even while the rest of your home is dry in the cold weather. One of the biggest causes is the fact that your basement is below ground, and colder temperatures and wet soil can combine to cause pressure, forcing moisture into your basement and foundation walls. This can create leaks and lead to severe humidity issues.
Another issue can result from condensation that develops on basement windows and exposed pipes in your basement. As the weather outside becomes cold, frost can develop on the inside of your basement windows. This frost can melt and create moisture in which mold can thrive. The same issue can occur when cold pipes meet warmer air in your home, causing condensation to form on the outside of the pipes.
Preventing Basement Humidity
In order to prevent humidity and potential mold growth, it is essential to pay careful attention to temperature and humidity. If a basement is temperature-controlled, then a dehumidifier can be a great way to prevent a buildup of moisture. However, in an unheated basement, a dehumidifier can freeze, not only leaving it useless but risking damage to the device.
If your basement is temperature controlled, keep in mind that running the heat constantly may not be the best way to keep humidity down. Instead, running the heat for a few hours and then turning it off can reduce humidity while keeping the temperature from getting too cold. Also, in order to prevent sweating from occurring on pipes, add a layer of insulation over all exposed piping.
Finally, if the issue is caused by cracks and leaks, then it is important to repair these issues; otherwise, moisture will keep creeping in no matter how much you remove from the air.
Final Thoughts
Just because cold weather is coming around does not mean that humidity will stop being an issue. It is important to address any basement humidity problems quickly before mold and mildew occur. If mold has already developed, then it is important to have a professional mold remediation contractor determine how far it has spread and remove existing mold buildup before it affects living spaces.
Contact Us
For professional water and mold remediation services, contact Restore Pro. Our remediation professionals have more than twenty years of experience helping home and business owners with fire, water, and mold remediation services. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.
