Damp basements are a common issue that can produce problems such as poor air quality and mold. It also means you have a largely unusable space in your home. The first step to fixing a damp basement is finding out the cause. Here are a few possible reasons why your basement is damp:
Water gathering around the property foundation. This can happen if you have blocked or damaged gutters and downspouts, or if the downspouts have not been installed properly and do not direct water away from the house.
Insufficient or uneven slope. If there is not enough grading around the property water will not drain away from it the way it needs to, leaving water to pool around the foundations.
The house location. If a home is situated at the base of a hill or an incline of some sort, it will be more susceptible to dampness in the basement. In a case like this, water may need to be diverted away from the home which can be done by digging small ditches, or swales, 10 to 15 feet away from the house.
Of course, these are just a couple of reasons why your basement might be damp. For a more accurate assessment, it is a good idea to have the basement and home thoroughly inspected.
