Do not Let A Damp Basement Get The Best Of You – Basement Dehumidifiers
Basements ought to be dry if the have the proper ventilatin and air conditioning elements added into them. Because they are poorly designed, there are tons of basements that suffer from a lingering dampness that is uncontrollable. These damp basements are a prime breeding groung for mold and mildew. especially if things like old book, clothing, or things of this nature are stowed away.
After the humidity in your basement goes over 50%, then you run into things like warped furniture, condensation on the walls, as well as fungus and mold growth. You will also notice that anything would will rot a lot faster. If any of your family members suffer from allergies related to mold and mildew, then investing in a basement dehumidifier is an absolute no-brainer.
Before you just go out and buy a basement dehumidifier though, you might want to take some time to find out why your basement has such high humidity and try to fix the actual problem. Ideally your basement ought to be right around the same temperature as the rest of your house, and not atmospheric climate. Try adding weather-stripping to any basement doors and windows. If in the unfortunate situation that the basement doesn’t have any insulation, you have to consider the cost of adding insulation against the price of running a basement dehumidifier constantly.
Doing a little bit of planning before going out and buying basement dehumidifiers is important. Knowing exactly what the cubic foot measurements are of the basement is essential to knowing which one to buy. Also you will need to decide on getting a permanently installed unit versus a portable dehumidifier. Another thing that you want to take into consideration is the size of the dehumidifier, and whether or not it will fit into your allotted space. You also need to take into consideration the noise levels that dehumidifiers make, as some are quite noisier than others. Either ask for a demonstration if buying in the store, or read the reviews of them if buying online.
Dehumidifiers operate on the same principles as do air conditioners and refrigerators. The humid air is forced across to some cold coils which makes the water in the air condensate thus it is extracted from the air. As the condensation builds, it will drip off into a collection bucket found inside the dehumidifier. Meanwhile the dry air flow, heated somewhat by the extraction of humidity, is directed out of the unit back into the room.
Since the dehumidifier is in the basement and out of the way, many individuals forget that it requires some maintenance. The buckets inside of these can be prone to developing a bacterial growth if you do not keep them clean periodically. Some of the different manufacturers of basement dehumidifiers actually came up with a way to do away with the collection bucket by using a hose which could be run to a drain in the basement thereby making them virtually maintenance free.
