Suffering from a damp basement?
More than that, not treating a damp basement (correctly) can lead to a lot of negative consequences. Discover the different causes of a damp cellar, and read how to definitively make and keep your cellar dry.
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Free diagnosis
There can be numerous factors at the root of a damp basement. With a thorough damp analysis, the exact culprit will be found, allowing the ideal solution to be indicated. Could you use such an analysis? Our experts will help you for free and without obligation.
Why do basements suffer from moisture problems more often?
A basement typically encounters much faster or more frequent moisture problems than any other room within your home. This is mainly due to the basement's underground location, as a result, various sources of moisture easily find their way into the basement:
Houses built before 1990, with brick walls, most often suffer from damp to wet basements. We would like to stress that damp basements are not limited to older houses. Basements in recently built houses can also suffer from it. Poor ventilation can result in basement dampness even in the most modern homes.
The consequences of a damp cellar
Basement dampness is always an annoying problem that is best dealt with as soon as possible. After all, a damp basement does not come without consequences:
To avoid these negative consequences, it makes sense to waterproof your damp basement. An added benefit: you create more usable living space in your home, which simultaneously increases the value of your property.
Want to tackle basement moisture? Then first and foremost you need to know the cause.
The various causes of a damp cellar
A damp basement can be caused by many factors. Each cause has its own method of control, so it is very important to get a correct diagnosis.
In general, we can distinguish two categories of causes: moisture problems caused by infiltration and moisture problems that did not involve infiltration.
1. Causes by infiltration
Are you also suffering from water in your basement? Then chances are you are dealing with infiltrating moisture. With infiltration, there are three major and common diagnoses to make.
1a Penetrating moisture
Penetrating moisture is a moisture problem located above ground. The problem there lies with the outer walls of the house. These are no longer able to keep the moisture out at that point. For instance, a wall can suffer badly if it rains a lot for a while. Most of the moisture is then in the outer walls, but sometimes it can be so severe that the moisture penetrates into the inner walls. Permeable damp can be especially dangerous in winter. At temperatures below zero, the penetrating moisture freezes in the walls of the house, which can cause cracks in those walls.
1b Groundwater
Because a basement is located underground, this space is literally surrounded by moisture, namely groundwater. The ground contains a lot of moisture, especially if you live in an area where it rains a lot. With poor foundations or cracks in the walls, groundwater can easily enter the basement. Specifically, this means that the basement floor and/or perimeter wall allow moisture to pass through due to groundwater pressure. Sometimes it's so bad that your basement is literally flooded, or the moisture gets through the walls to creeping upstairs.
1c Bagged or seeping water
The name kind of says it all: water sinking down into the walls. When a large amount of precipitation has fallen, the water looks for a way down. When the ground is oversaturated, the water looks for another way. Sometimes that is the walls of your house and, more specifically, of your basement.
2. Causes without infiltration
Moisture problems can also occur without infiltration. There is one common example of this.
2a Leaking pipes
A leak in the water pipes or drains is a common cause that leads to moisture in your basement. With a leak, water penetrates the basement through the walls. Almost every basement is surrounded by pipes and sewage pipes. As a result, even small leaks, if left undetected, can cause significant moisture damage over time.In this case, it is best to contact your insurance broker first, and if necessary, a moisture detection firm.
2b Condensation
At condensation warm air settles on a cold surface, where it condenses. To combat condensation moisture, it is important to adequately ventilate your rooms. This is often not possible in basements, causing excessive humidity. This then causes all kinds of problems, including for your health.
It is not always easy to identify the exact cause of a damp basement. Sometimes, even multiple factors can contribute to the occurrence of a wet basement. Therefore, we recommend seeking professional advice from a moisture expert. That way, you will be assured of the most appropriate solution to the problem.
Moisture control in the basement
Drying your basement (or having it dry) is a good idea and can be done in several ways. It is usually best to follow these steps:
As mentioned above, every moisture problem needs its own solutions. Therefore, it is important to always have an expert look at the basement moisture. This expert can determine the cause of the damp basement with certainty, and this person will also inform you about the suitable solution for your situation.
After determining the cause, you can get started on the best-fit control method. We list the solutions most commonly deployed.
1. Basement drainage
For a basement drainage there are several options. A kind of bubble membrane is often installed. This membrane ensures that the water in the basement is collected through all kinds of small channels to one drain. The water is then pumped away by means of an automatic water pump. To finish everything off nicely, the contractor applies a layer of concrete above the membrane. As the groundwater is neatly drained away under this new layer, basement drainage is an invisible but sustainable solution.
2. Basement sealing
At basement waterproofing or caulking, the basement walls are partly stripped off and re-treated with waterproof cement layers, using different materials and in different stages. These layers ensure that your basement becomes completely waterproof. Additionally, it is possible to opt for a floor drainage with ceramic tiles as a finish.
3. Injecting walls
When you get your have walls injected, holes are made in the walls just above ground level. A moisture-proof gel is then injected into these. When the gel cures, a barrier to rising groundwater forms.
4. Solving leaks
This solution speaks for itself, and is slightly less invasive than the previous moisture solutions. When basement dampness is caused by leaks, it is wise to address them immediately. It is best to first take your insurance broker under your wing, and if necessary, a moisture detection firm. For burst pipes, it is recommended to consult a specialist, as a lot can go wrong if you attempt to do it yourself.
5. Basement ventilation
Finally, it is very important that you keep your basement well ventilates. Ventilation is a very durable and adequate solution to specific moisture problems, especially when it comes to issues such as condensation moisture.
UNIQUE AT AEROCONSULT!
At AquaConsult, we offer a unique solution in basement drainage. Instead of pouring a new layer of concrete over the bubble liner, rectified ceramic tiles be installed. As a result, you couple the practical with the pleasant, as your basement is immediately tiled.
Keeping your basement dry for good: ventilation
Suppose you suffered from moisture in your basement in the past, you had a moisture expert determine and apply the appropriate solution, but the problem has returned. In many cases, this is not because a mistake happened, but a lack of ventilation is causing the moisture to return. So, if you want to be permanently rid of a damp basement, it is imperative that you provide adequate ventilation. Natural ventilation is almost impossible in a basement, so we close a mechanical ventilation on. Before you know it, the moisture problem will be solved.
Suffering from moisture in the basement?
Are you suffering from basement moisture yourself? Then contact AquaConsult and our specialists will visit you for a free moisture assessment, in Flanders and Walloon Brabant.
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