Does your basement need a dehumidifier?
– By Suzanne Soto-Davies
Basement floors are built over
soil, with 100% Relative Humidity
(RH) and varying temperatures
throughout the year. If the finishing
of the basement isn’t planned and built
correctly, in a short period of time the
basement can not only feel cold, but
it can become damp and smell musty.
For health reasons and for the safety
of your belongings and your home,
it’s important to continually measure
RH levels in the basement. This is best
achieved by using a Hygrometer – an
inexpensive and portable device that
measures atmospheric humidity and
temperature in the room (available at
Canadian Tire and Home Hardware
stores for about $20).
Buying guide
Because energy standards have improved
and new technologies developed, most
newer dehumidifier makes test between 55
to 67 decibels – that’s between the sound
of traffic passing by and loud conversation.
In terms of energy consumption, most
models test very good for energy efficiency,
so try to invest in a newer model rather
than buying a used one online.
Typical Portable Dehumidifier
Should your Hygrometer indicate an
RH reading higher than 50%, a dehumidifier is recommended.
“A car may come with dozens of warning and safety issues but a
basement does not, and these safety issues are often overlooked
until water damage occurs,” said John Cochren, Engineer and
owner of Cochren Foundation and Repair Company in Dundas.
“When home owners convert their unfinished basement
into a functional area of their home, they concentrate on
the fancy finishes and not too much on prevention and
monitoring. This is why I’ve formulated SmartBasement
recommendations, which include having a means of measuring
RH, and controlling it. Having a dehumidifier is a must.”
Here are some signs you may have moisture issues in the
basement and need a dehumidifier:
• Musty odour
• Condensation on windows
• Mold spots or mildew on ceiling or corners of walls
• Water stain marks
• Moisture bugs, such as Silverfish, Centipedes, Earwigs,
Clothes Moths and Sow Bugs (which may be a normal
occurance in basements but tend to increase in atmospheres
with higher humidity levels)
• RH readings higher than 50%
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Dehumidifier capacity depends upon the
size of basement, dampness level, amount
of contents stored, and amount of dividing
walls. Typically a 50 pint dehumidifier (up
to 1800 sq. ft. capacity) can work quite
well in a 1,000 sq. ft. basement, as it will
dry the space quicker without so much
cycling and energy expended.
Look for dehumidifiers with a portable design, washable
filter, and auto shut-off features (for when the bucket is fu
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