Do you have problems with damp in your basement? The basement is often a space for storage, hobby rooms, or even as an extra living space.
However, the basement is also one of the most vulnerable parts of the house when it comes to moisture. If it gets out of hand, it can lead to damage to the structure of the house and a generally poor indoor climate with poorer air quality. Here we take a closer look at why moisture problems commonly occur and how you can effectively combat it with a desiccant dehumidifier - a solution particularly suitable for cold basements and other unheated rooms.
Moisture in the basement is a relatively common problem around the UK. Common signs include unpleasant odours, darkening, discolouration, cracks or unevenness in floors and ceilings, or peeling wallpaper. There are several factors that contribute to dampness in the basement, including:
Poor drainage around the property is one of the most common causes of water entering the basement. If water is not properly diverted away from the house, for example from clogged drainage systems or downpipes, it can collect around the foundation and eventually drip into the basement.
In areas with high groundwater levels, water can naturally be pushed into the basement through the house foundation. This is exacerbated during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, when the water table rises and increases pressure.
Basements are often poorly ventilated, which means that moisture cannot escape properly. Many basements also have saunas, spas or laundry rooms, which further increase the moisture load.
Leaking pipes or poorly insulated water pipes can also be a cause of damp. Even small leaks can lead to moisture damage over time!
If you have high humidity in your basement and ignore the problem, it can mean a lot of trouble in the long run. Here are some examples:
In a dense and closed environment - with a relative humidity of 75 to 80%, a temperature around 15 degrees and for a period of 30 days - there is a risk of mould growth.
The basement can therefore become a breeding ground for these micro-organisms in the worst case, especially if you also store organic material, such as newspapers, wood and the like there. Mould can spread, and spores in the air can lead to health problems, such as allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. In addition mould growth damage furniture, textiles and other items that you store in the basement.
Over time, moisture and then mould can affect the foundation and structure of a house. Mould can cause wood to rot, concrete to crack and metal to corrode. This can weaken the stability of the house and result in costly repairs.
You've probably walked down into a damp and dark cellar at some point and encountered the characteristic unpleasant odours which is difficult to get rid of. This bad odour can spread to other parts of the house and affect the whole indoor climate.
Moisture problems can reduce the value of your house, as house buyers do not want to see signs of damp and mould. If the problems are severe enough, it can make it harder to sell the property.
If you want to reduce the humidity in your basement, check the following areas.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are a really good option for dealing with moisture problems, especially in colder spaces like basements, crawl spaces, garage, storage room and wind.
Unlike a condensing dehumidifier, which cools the air to condense out the moisture, a desiccant dehumidifier works by absorbing moisture using a rotating rotor and a desiccant. The moisture-saturated air is then discharged via a wet gas hose, while the dry air is returned to the space.
Desiccant dehumidifiers are highly efficient even at low temperatures - down to well below freezing - and are particularly well suited to Swedish conditions.
When you want to install a dehumidifier in the basement, it is important to first consider the conditions before moving on to look at machines.
The size of your basement determines how powerful a dehumidifier you need. A larger basement requires a higher-capacity dehumidifier to effectively maintain the right level of moisture. The dehumidifier should not have to constantly struggle to keep the humidity below a pre-programmed level.
As we mentioned earlier, the basement is in many cases an extra vulnerable space in the house with temperature changes, poor ventilation or washrooms, saunas and the like. This increases the relative humidity.
If the basement is cold, or unheated, a desiccant dehumidifier is the best choice as it works effectively in the cold. However, in a heated basement, a condensation dehumidifier may also be an option.
Choose a dehumidifier that is easy to install and requires minimal maintenance. Our dehumidifiers come with clear instructions and are designed to be as maintenance-free as possible, so you can focus on other things. The control panel lets you keep a close eye on the moisture level in your basement. Easy installation and low maintenance requirements mean the dehumidifier quickly becomes a seamless part of your home, with no extra hassle.
At Acetec you can buy desiccant dehumidifier of the highest quality, carefully developed and tested in Älvsbyn, Sweden, to withstand our Nordic climate. We focus on real performance and let the products speak for themselves, instead of throwing around trendy buzzwords. Our priority is that the dehumidifier delivers reliable and capacity that really makes a difference in your space, whatever the size and needs.
Acetec EvoDry dehumidifiers are designed with a strong focus on reliability, so you can rely on them to deliver and keep your space dry and fresh.
