Dehumidifying Basements on the North Fork

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

Damp Basements

At SERVPRO of the North Fork we are aware that you have all been experiencing a very damp season - here is some information about how to avoid moisture buildup in the basement.

Outside:  Make sure sprinklers are not hitting windows and bilco doors where water can leak in.  Check your gutter down spouts and make sure they drain down away from the foundation.

Basement Dehumidification:  Basements don't have to be musty damp and dank spaces!  Left alone it will build and could lead to mold and mildew growth.  Make sure any pipes that are leaking are repaired, look for pipes with a lot of condensation and sweat.  Turn on a dehumidifier and monitor the humidity. 

Want low maintenance?  There are now self pumping dehumidifiers that will route water out to a floor drain or out a basement window - set the desired humidity low - like 50%, to start bringing down the moisture in the air rapidly.  New machines can process many pints of water a day - so if you have an older unit, investing in a new energy efficient high volume machine may be wise.  You should check it periodically to make sure it is operating optimally.