The reason for a wet and soggy basement may be insignificant, evident, and simply eliminated. Here are some possible reasons and supposed way outs.
Problem: The water supply in the basement can not be determined.
Solution: To find out if the water is percolating from the outside or concentrating internally, you should set a piece of aluminum foil to a wall predisposed to humidity, tightening all side pieces as airproof as possible. The results will be visible in a few days: in case the foil side which was against the wall is damp, it is leakage. When the outward side is moist, the problem is condensation.
Problem: If grass-plots are level or grade in the direction of the house, they allow day water (rain as well as melting snow) to stream down against the walls of the foundation. Water penetrates through wall clefts and other gaps and makes damp patches on the walls or stagnant water on the floor.
Solution: Slant the ground from the outward side of the basement. Expand the slant for no less than ten feet and sow it with lawn grass. Turfing is a widely used procedure that helps to avert the wash-out of recently sloped areas during pouring rains. In places where a great area of land grades in the direction of the house, water drainage should be cut off and switched from the house. Excavate a small pit, half-round collecting ditch or trench contrived to direct the water around the house. Turf the trench or seed grass into it. When a small ditch is unacceptable, you may set drainage tiles with a few catchment areas.
Problem: imperfect, foul, or missing runoff ditches and drainpipes let the water from the roof make puddles, or damp the area close or against basement walls, and penetrate through wall clefts or other gaps.
Solution: Isolate the water-supply lines. Maintain good fanning—daylight and free circulation of air can dry up a basement very fast. You should regulate the ventilation in accordance with the weather. When it is extremely hot, damp or wet for a long time, it is better to close all the windows as the air from outside may comprise more dampness than the foundation air. Keep the foundation warm in winter. At the time of scorching weather, use air conditioner to chill and dewater the air.
To avoid water concentration at the place of discharge pipe, employ a concrete gutter or splash block to take the water away. Besides, take into consideration the extending drain pipes from gutters away from the outward basement.
Problem: Thick bushes and trees around the foundation walls avert normal fanning.
Solution: Cut weighty branches of shrubs with the intention that soil receives more daylight and dries faster. When you dig up the plants, withdraw all remains of stone-work, calcimine and other substances left near the house after the foundation was dug out.
Problem: When the window wells are undefended, they serve as reservoirs during thunderstorms and in such a way let the water percolate through window frames and beneath the windows.
Solution: You should protect the windows or their parts below grade with metal or masonry window wells and gravel bottoms to provide excellent drainage. Another way is to cover the whole window with clear plastic bubbles as a shed.
Problem: Atmospheric dampness generates condensation on cold areas in the foundation, especially walls, cool water pipelines and floors.
Solution: Set up drainpipes and eaves trough in all necessary places. Do not let any waste products get there. It would be desirable to fix a basket-shaped wire sieve above the drainpipe outlet where leaves and sticks from the nearest trees may fall into a gutter. You should fix gutters and drainpipes immediately when it is necessary.
Problem: Pervious plumbing or other sources of dampness, like clothing placed to dry on foundation lines, can raise moisture in the air, being the reason for condensation.
Solution: First of all you should fix the plumbing immediately, then open the windows or dry clothing with the help of automatic drier. In case the problem is still unsolved, try to use a large-capacity dehumidifier to reduce condensation.
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