Mt. Juliet, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
When you think of a basement, you would probably picture a damp, cool and unpleasant smelling place. Basements develop this environment because of high humidity. The damp, cold feeling comes from the humidity and the unpleasant smell of the mildew and mold growth.
There is only so much you can do to reduce the humidity in your basement unless you get a basement dehumidifier. Moreover, there is no guarantee that any of the steps you take will work. One rain is all it will take for your basement to go back to the condition it was in before. Did you know that a basement dehumidifier could reduce the humidity in your basement by more than 50%? After you get this appliance, your basement will no longer be a place to dread. You can once again store your important files, money, clothing, bedding and other things in the basement without any fear of damage.
What causes excess moisture to accumulate in the basement?
Common signs that there is excess humidity in the basement are moisture condensation on the floor or walls, presence of mold and mildew, unpleasant smell, cool and damp environment, rot and structural damage, paint failure and others.
Moisture can enter your basement from many sources. It could be a leak in the foundation of your home, small cracks on the wall, or gaps in the windows. Water can also enter the basement from inside the house through a leaking toilet, water pipe, bathtub or shower. Normal activities like cooking, drying clothes, or showering can also cause the humidity in your basement to increase.
Usually, the water will evaporate, increasing the humidity. This humidity does not have any outlet, and there is no sunlight to dry it. So it stays in the basement and keeps increasing. Eventually, it will become so high that, when you enter the basement you will start sweating, and you will feel as if you have entered a rainforest.
Why is mold a dangerous thing?
Mildew and mold not only damage the walls and belongings stored in the basement, but they are also a health risk. One type of mold that grows in basements called black mold produces a poisonous substance called mycotoxin. This substance can cause respiratory problems, hemorrhage, mental impairment, nausea, skin inflammation, tiredness and suppression of the immune system. Mold spores can become airborne and trigger respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis. Just think about how tragic it would be if you were to lose your life to the mold in your basement. It would be akin to Alexander the Great being felled by a humble mosquito; it is said he died of malaria.
Incidentally, mold needs sustained moisture before it can begin to grow. The irony is, even when mold starts proliferating in the basement, it may not be detected because people don’t spend much time in their basements. Basements are also rarely cleaned, which means dirt and dust accumulate easily which is encouraging to mold and mildew.
You can remove the moisture in your basement with a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are similar to air conditioners in how they work. They contain a fan, which sucks the air from the surrounding area. This air is pulled over two refrigerant cooled coils, which cools the moisture in the air. Later, the water trickles down into a tank. When the humidity in the basement reduces by 50%, the basement will not feel damp and cold. The unpleasant smell will also disappear. Just don’t forget to get a high capacity dehumidifier. If you skimp on money, you will find that your humidifier is not removing moisture from the basement like you wanted it to.
Ameri Care Services, Inc. Main Office
Physical Address – 526 South Walnut Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Mailing Address – PO Box 1032, Murfreesboro, TN 37133
Phone: 1 (615) 893-7111
Toll-Free: 1 (877) 506-3029
E-mail: tswett@americareservices.com
Nashville Office
226 Leonard Ave Ste C, Nashville, TN 37205
Phone: 615-823-8224
Toll Free: 877-506-3029
E-mail: tswett@americareservices.com