Basement walls and floors stay cool all year. On a muggy upstate summer day, humid air that drifts downstairs drops its moisture on those cool surfaces, on cold-water pipes and on anything stored against the walls. Add moisture wicking through concrete, block and stone, and a basement can smell musty even if the floor is never wet.
How dry should a basement be?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. A small humidity meter from a hardware store will tell you where you stand. If your basement regularly reads above 60 percent in summer, mold has an easy time on cardboard, wood and paper-faced drywall.
What does a waterproofing company add?
- Right-sized equipment. A small portable unit can run nonstop and still lose the battle in a large or very damp basement. Whole-basement units are designed for cool spaces and move more air.
- Hands-free draining. Units can be plumbed to a floor drain, the sump pit or a condensate pump so nobody has to empty a bucket twice a day.
- Finding the source. If moisture is coming through the walls or the floor, the company should say so instead of just selling a machine. A sealed sump lid, a wall membrane or better roof drainage can make the dehumidifier's job much smaller.
What can I do right now?
- Keep gutters clear and extend downspouts well away from the foundation
- Make sure soil, mulch beds and walkways slope away from the house
- Vent the clothes dryer outdoors and check that the duct is tight
- Store belongings in plastic bins, up off the floor and away from outside walls
- Dry anything that gets wet within 24 to 48 hours, which the EPA says usually prevents mold growth
What drives the price?
- Basement size and how damp it stays
- Unit type and capacity
- How the unit drains and whether a condensate pump is needed
- Any wall, floor or sump sealing done at the same time
Pricing comes only from the waterproofing company, after someone has been down in the basement, looked at the walls, floor joint and sump, and walked the outside of the house to see where roof and yard water goes. We don't quote prices, and nobody can price a basement accurately over the phone.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Will a dehumidifier stop water coming into my basement?
No. It pulls moisture out of the air, not water coming through a crack or the floor joint. Stop the leak first, then control the humidity.
Do I need a dehumidifier in winter?
Usually less. Cold outdoor air holds little moisture, so many Utica basements are driest in January. Humidity tends to climb in late spring and summer, which is when a dehumidifier earns its keep.
Related services
More background: Oneida County basement water guide.
Snowmelt on the floor, a weeping wall, or a sump that never rests?
Call and an Oneida County waterproofing company will come find where the water gets in.