Easy Solutions for a Damp Basement | Ask This Old House

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In this video This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey teaches Kevin O’Connor what he needs to know about handling wet basements. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains basement moisture control to Kevin O'Connor. After discussing some of the most common causes of wet basements and their consequences, Richard shows Kevin some methods for controlling them. Richard then explains how dehumidifiers work and how they may be the best option. Wet Basement Woes are Hardly Universal Believe it or not, only about 40 percent of homes in the U.S. have basements. However, of those homes that do have basements, 60 percent have moisture problems. These problems may include rainwater not dispelling far enough from the eaves, groundwater soaking through the foundation, or moisture vapor making its way into the home. And despite not everyone having these issues, everyone who does dislikes them. Why Wet Basements are a Problem Make no mistake, wet basements can be a problem—especially when it comes to mold. Mold needs three things to grow: the right temperature, moisture, and organic matter. All of these conditions exist in the average wet basement, and mold can grow, causing damage and health concerns. When Grade is an Issue Sometimes, the issue is that the grade pitches back toward the home. In these cases, there are two options: regrade the property or install French drains around the o

Published 2022-07-26 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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