3 Things That Can Go Seriously Wrong With Your Basement (And How To Fix Them)

Owning a basement brings all sorts of benefits. It’s an extra place to keep your gear and provides room for additional guests.

However, being underground, it is also prone to things going wrong.

Fortunately, this post is here to help. We look at some of the problems you might encounter in your basement and how to correct them. Here’s everything you need to know:

Moisture Damage

Moisture damage is common in basements because they are underground. Many take on a musty smell over the years, which makes you less likely to want to spend time in them.

Moisture usually comes from poor drainage. Basements need to be in the ground in a direction where the surrounding land slopes away from the room. If it slopes toward it, then it makes water ingress more likely.

Condensation and leaky floors and walls are other issues. Damp can build if there is a problem with the membrane sheet that creates a boundary between the room and the outside world.

You can fix this problem by:

• Adding a dehumidifier to your basement to take unwanted moisture out of the air.
• Improving the shape of the land around your home to boost drainage and prevent water from accumulating near the base or beside the membrane
• Sealing cracks in the walls and floors that might lead to flooding

If you have a lot of water in your basement, use flooded basement cleanup services first. These remove the excess water and then fix the underlying root of the problem. This approach is much safer and more reliable than trying to deal with issues on the fly.

Pests

Pests are another problem that can affect basements from time to time. Being out of the way, many creatures find it easier to move in.

The most common basement pests are rodents. Mice and rats love these spaces because they protect them from predators. However, you can also get insects and snakes in this room.

To deal with pests, you’ll need to:

• Seal any gaps or cracks that might be letting them get in
• Avoid leaving any food or crumbs around that might encourage them to stay
• Get pest control in to remove them if necessary

Radon

Radon is another problem you can sometimes encounter in the basement. That’s because the room is below ground level and closer to decaying radioactive isotopes.

Radon isn’t a problem in most parts of the country, but you might be unlucky. High readings can increase the risk of serious disease and even shorten your life.

To fix radon, you’ll need someone to come around and do a proper test using a Geiger counter. These instruments measure the severity of the problem and whether you are at risk.

Sometimes, you can fit basements with radon mitigation systems. These absorb their radioactive energy before it comes into contact with your body. Of course, they also tend to be expensive, so the economics of the situation might not come out in your favor. Most solutions rely on blocking emissions with heavy metals.