Condensation In Basement Walls
Fortunately you can get rid of excess condensation on your walls and control excess moisture in your home.
Condensation in basement walls. If you re not sure of the cause of a damp patch on a wall try the foil test. Covering those places such as walls pipes and ducts with insulation will help keep warm air from coming in contact with the cool surfaces thus preventing condensation. The most common cause of condensation on your walls is excess moisture inside your home. As the walls cool the air droplets form on the walls and you ve got a damp basement.
While water may seep into your basement from the ground surrounding the basement walls and even under the basement floor condensation can be equally damaging. The basement should be treated the same as if it were leaky. Start by drying off a section of your basement wall about a foot square then cut a piece of aluminum cooking foil just a little smaller in size. Once you understand how condensation forms on the walls of your basement it s easy to stop it using the methods explained above.
In your basement condensation develops when you have relatively warm moist air contacting the cool surface of the walls. Most homeowners think that basement moisture is the same as basement flooding. Determine if the water on your basement walls is from condensation or migrating in through the foundation wall. But excess condensation can lead to a host of problems.
Some condensation is harmless even normal. If you think condensation might be the problem in your basement there is a simple test. Dry the wall surface with a fan heater then tape some kitchen foil tightly over the affected. This is straightforward and easy to do.
Simple solutions like directing gutter downspouts away from the house and improving outdoor drainage can solve many. Controlling basement moisture is key to preventing mold and a necessary first step if you want to fully finish the space. Insulating the places where condensation builds up can also help to eliminate moisture. Moisture seeping through basement walls and foundation joints can be a significant source of humidity in basement air.
Because moisture is allowed to penetrate the block cores it is essential to cap the tops and place a vapor retarder coating on the interior basement walls. Plus sign if content is closed x if content is open.