Why Is My Basement Damp?

In this guide, we will discuss potential reasons why your basement is damp, how to get rid of dampness in your basement, and waterproofing.

What Are The Causes Of Basement Damp?

There are several common reasons that could be why your basement is damp, and they are:

• Ground water – this is the biggest enemy of the basement; water is hidden beneath the surface of the earth in porous rock and soil. If this water seeps through cracks or into porous building materials, the walls can become damp or even start to drip. The water level changes from area to area, so if you live in a spot with a high water level, you’re more at risk of damp and flooding in the basement.
• Poor ventilation – basements need a good ventilation cycle to remove stale, damp air and bring fresh air in. This is especially important if you have bathrooms, kitchens, pools, or washing machines in the basement. If the moisture can’t escape, it will settle on the walls and floors, creating conditions for mould to grow.
• Cold surfaces – even if you have ideal ventilation, you might still end up with damp issues if the walls or floors are too cold. Cool surfaces cause moisture in the air to cool on contact, collecting on the surface as condensation. If there is too much condensation, this can lead to damp.
• Faulty drainage – gutters and drains are designed to transport waste water away, but if they are faulty, they may be simply disposing the water into the ground. This can then seep into the foundations or beneath the basement until it seeps into the walls or floors.

How to Get Rid Of Dampness In Your Basement

It is understandable that you would want to get your basement in order, so learning how to get rid of dampness in your basement is essential. First of all, you will need to identify the issue, so it’s a good idea to contact a specialist for their opinion.

If your damp is caused by poor ventilation or faulty guttering, the problem could be relatively quick to fix, as you will only need to install ventilation or new gutters. However, with drainage, there may be some slight difficulty depending on the source of the fault, as it may require excavation.

The most worrying cause is ground water as it means that the tanking system is non-existent or has failed. The cost of installing a tanking system depends on the condition of the walls and the surrounding water level. A simple system involves applying a waterproof coating to the walls to block water from reaching the interior, which is ideal for minor damp issues. However, if the soil is too saturated, water trapped in the walls won’t be able to drain out, so pressure will build, forcing the water through. In this case, a cavity drain membrane is a better choice, which creates a small gap between the wall and the waterproof coating for water to drain away.

Choose 4SP Group For Your Waterproofing

If you want to stay one step ahead, you can use our waterproofing services to ensure your basement is fit for purpose. As an experienced waterproofing company with over 35 years of experience, we provide the smoothest and most efficient processes possible. We can also recommend the best approach for your individual project, whether you want to turn your basement into a living space or for extra storage.

Our team of construction specialists use only the best quality materials and equipment to offer the best results for your requirements. This can be applied across all of our services, including structural contractors, foundation constructing, and underpinning, so you can be sure that you are in safe hands with us, no matter your project.

If you have any more questions about how to get rid of dampness in your basement, our waterproofing or basement construction services, please do not hesitate to get in touch.