How to Deal with Damp in Your Basement

A basement adds an extra level of living and storage space to your house. However, it can also come with an increased risk of attracting excess moisture and becoming damp. If left untreated, this can become a much more serious problem.

Damp has the potential to cause mould and bacterial growth, particularly if the underlying issue is not treated promptly. To keep your basement clean, dry and damp free, you must keep on top of your household maintenance and remember to check your basement tanking. London homes commonly have a greater threat of damp issues, with many of these problems starting off in poorly-maintained basements. If left untreated, the damp can then spread to the remainder of the property far more easily.

Common Causes of Damp Basements

One of the most common causes of a damp basement is excess ground water. It can seep through the ground and wet the walls and floor of your basement. Poor guttering and plumbing systems can also lead to leakages in the basement, which at first, are not always easy to spot. Once the basement starts to accumulate moisture, the air will begin to have a damp and musty smell. Before you know it, the wall paper will be peeling off and you may have mould growing on the walls or even furniture. For this reason, it is vital to keep an eye out for signs of damp and, if you spot anything suspicious, call in an expert to address the issue.

How to Treat a Damp Basement

You should always make sure to treat damp as soon as you can spot it. Here are some top tips to help you address any small-scale damp issues and protect your basement from damp in the future.

• First, start with diagnosing the cause of the damp. If you can, find out what is causing the humidity and moisture as this will help you to fix it faster
• Make sure your basement is free of leakages. Fix any leakage or pipe breakage and insulate your pipes to stop condensation drips from cold pipes
• Proper ventilation is the key to a dry basement. Make sure you have plenty of efficient vents in and try to keep the humidity to a minimum
• Run a dehumidifier in your basement to control the moisture levels in the air

Despite this, sometimes you need to enlist the help of an expert to employ professional damp proofing techniques and dry out your soggy basement. For instance, basement tanking is a trusted option. It can help to prevent penetrating damp in your basement and will address any existing damp issues that your basement is suffering from.

Please get in touch with us for more information about our damp proofing services and basement tanking in London and the home counties.