Why a Cool Basement Is Often Damp in Summer
Cranking down the AC is one way to stay cool, but many homeowners often retreat to their cool basements for respite during the dog days of summer. However, this can result in an encounter with a cold, damp, stuffy, and unwelcoming atmosphere.
While this is common in many homes, you shouldn’t consider it “normal” or “acceptable.”
In previous articles, we explored why your basement feels cold and how to create a comfortable home.
In this article, we’ll explain why a cool basement is often damp in summer. Let’s jump right in!
Why Does My Cool Basement Feel Damp During Summer?
Your basement’s summertime dampness can stem from various sources.
A primary factor is its underground location, which naturally keeps it cooler than the rest of your home. This temperature difference creates a moisture problem: the cool basement air can’t hold as much water vapor as the warmer air upstairs. When these air masses mix, condensation forms on basement surfaces, including any uninsulated pipes.
Another potential issue arises if your basement lacks proper waterproofing. In this case, ground moisture can gradually seep upwards through the foundation, affecting the floor and walls. This problem is particularly likely if your home’s foundation is constructed using porous concrete.
Other causes include basement appliances, leaky pipes, wall cracks, and leaking windows or window wells.
5 Ways to Control Basement Humidity & Moisture
Dampness in your basement is common, but that doesn’t mean you simply have to put up with it. There are many steps you can take to control moisture and humidity issues in your basement to create a healthier and comfortable environment, including:
- Sealing wall cracks
- Adding a vapor barrier to basement walls
- Pairing this barrier with other waterproofing solutions (interior drains and sump pumps)
- Controlling humidity with a dehumidifier (ensuring levels remain at or below 50%)
- Ensuring proper yard grade and drainage with gutters and downspouts
Don’t sweep summertime basement dampness under the rug. The longer these issues continue, your home will also suffer from poor air quality, musty air, mold growth, wood decay, and other damage.
What to Know Next
In this post, we answered your question about why cooler basements are often damp in summer.
You and your family deserve to live in a safe and healthy home free of problems like a dank basement, not just during the summer months but all year long. It’s important to monitor your basement’s condition and address any issues with reliable water management solutions.
There’s a lot more to know about basement waterproofing, so check our Ultimate Guide to Basement Waterproofing for more informative articles.
If you need basement waterproofing services you can trust, you’ll benefit from a thorough, free inspection and customized solutions from the Groundworks company serving your local area. Get started today by clicking the button below!
Holly Richards-Purpura
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Rhys was great! Really informative and helped us. We are truly grateful for his support and service. Thank you. 😊👍🏼👍🏼
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Jay did an awesome job! Showed up on time with a polite and professional manner. Explained the prosses and completed the job quickly with a …
Jay did an awesome job! Showed up on time with a polite and professional manner. Explained the prosses and completed the job quickly with a clean up of the area. Thanks Jay !
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Got a quote today by Tim and he was fabulous. Gave great detail about what needed to be done. Very professional and friendly.
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Josh A, Greg H, and Max H, worker hard to get the job done quickly and effectively. They were proud of their work, and took care to keep…
Josh A, Greg H, and Max H, worker hard to get the job done quickly and effectively. They were proud of their work, and took care to keep everything cleaned. They were very informative about each step they were doing in the process. I highly recommend Innovative Basement Authority. Logan was amazing to work with as well. From explaining what needs to be done to me, the board, and the co-op members. I really enjoyed working with the company from begining to end.
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Impressed with Groundworks sale to installation. Communication throughout process was excellent. Install team of Jon, Cooper, Dean and…
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