What should humidity be in basement

What should humidity be in basement. A finished basement can defeat people more than a dresser drawer that only has one missing.

But it is possible to control the level of humidity in the basement even though you’ve committed yourself to live underground.

Basements are infamous for having high levels of humidity, primarily because they have no windows or ventilation systems. It’s hard to keep the air conditioned, which can become tiresome after a while.

The best way to control the amount of water vapor in your basement is by insulating walls, flooring, and other structural components to prevent drafts.

What should humidity be in basement

what should humidity be in basement

Basements are great places that are being used for storage nowadays.

Maintaining proper humidity levels is important with basements and sheds because damp, musty basements can lead to mold growth which can be harmful to people’s health.

Basements for most homes should maintain a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent, although that can vary based on your weather.

A high humidity level

a high humidity level

The primary threat of high humidity is mold. Molds are organisms that grow on dead organic matter, including wood and mortar when your home starts to decay. If a fungus spreads in your home, the damage can be extensive.

Healthwise, some molds can cause respiratory infections and even asthma if you inhale the spores.

Other fungal infestations may lead to more serious health complications such as neurological issues if you get something called histoplasmosis so having a humid environment in your home isn’t something to scoff at.

Also, make sure you don’t overlook serious health risks posed by other threats lurking around your home because these pests thrive in humid environment that makes it tough for external agents to penetrate it thus invading your property completely and rendering you powerless against them.

A low humidity level

Poor air quality can lead to, among other things, expansion of your sinus cavities resulting in pain, irritation, and noses.

Two major contributors to poor air quality are cigarette smoke and various fumes that you may be unaware of in your own home.

Low or Poor humidity combined with an increase in room temperature is another factor as well.

This setup leads to cracked skin on many parts of the body, including joints and lips as well as red patches due to capping, which can sometimes develop into cracks.

The right basement humidity level

Typically, the basement of your home serves one of three functions: storage, furnished living or recreational space, or as a wine cellar.

Depending upon the purpose, one’s relative humidity levels should be in slightly different ranges for the sake of comfort and to minimize the risk of health risks or structural damage.

A dehumidifier with a built-in humidistat is useful to set and monitor the humidity level.

Alternatively, you may purchase a hygrometer, which measures the amount of moisture in the air and can alert you when it needs more moisture extraction so that it can run continuously until you’re comfortable.

If you need to ventilate your basement without the expense of a dehumidifier, another option is to install a basement exhaust fan.

This will pump out the humidity that’s accumulated within your home and push it outside so that you don’t have to empty the water pot every day.

Many of these exhaust fans also come with an air purifier attached to them that pumps fresh air into the room to combat mold which can be another problem in basements around wet floors.

Finishing and unfinished basements

You should generally find a relative humidity level of 30-50% for your house.

Not only does this eliminate the risk of mildew and bacteria growth, but it also eliminates several health risks associated with low humidity levels as well.

During colder months if you live in a colder climate, you may want to aim for relative humidity under 30%-40% because otherwise, this has a tendency to generate condensation on your windows.

Conclusion

We’ve covered all the ways to keep your basement dry. In a nutshell, this involves installing dehumidifiers and a structure drainage system both of which should be connected to pipes that lead out of the basement via standpipes.

Conventional ventilation strategies like furnace ducts can’t cut it in basements as they only reconstitute humidity within them (in some cases doing more harm than good as they may cause air pressure problems which can result in moisture building up in walls, ceilings, carpeting, or wherever faulty ducts are located).

Don’t forget to check for dampness or leaks once in a while using our handy checklist to assess whether things are really under control down there or not.

What should humidity be in basement

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