Wet Basement

A wet basement can seriously effect the rest of the home.

Stack effect is the name for the pressure movement in the home that pulls air from the soil through the foundation wall and up through the rest of the home like a chimney pulls smoke up and out. This naturally occurring movement of air will bring with it odors, moisture, humidity and sometimes even mold and radon.

A wet basement provides mold one of its’ key nutrients to survive in your cellar or crawlspace. Having a basement that has a water problem will in fact lend itself to the possibility of holding more mold colonies and other dangers. Standing water can allow bacteria to build up and cause serious amounts of long term water damage to your property and organic structures (like wooden studs, boxes, clothing, or books). More about Mold.

Excess humidity will feed mold but it also lends itself to discomfort in the rest of the home. Since over 40% of the air you breathe on the first floor comes from the cellar (or crawlspace) adding excessive humidity to that air increases your Air Conditioning costs, increases physical discomfort and can simply make the air harder to breathe. Musty odors and damp smells will travel up your basement steps that can be embarrassing and irritating.

Long-term issues in a wet basement can cause structural problems over time as well. A basement leak can help to make cracks and separations larger, exterior saturation can create bowing or leaning walls, hydrostatic pressure can shifting floors or a wall leak can simply peal a shim coating off your concrete wall.

Moisture, dampness, and condensation can all be warning signs that the amount of humidity, moisture, and liquid water are reaching levels that need to be fixed in your basement. Having a wet basement doesn’t have to happen every single rain storm, or even just “once in a while.” Virginia Basement’s years of experience with Foundation Repair and Basement waterproofing in Virginia can play on your side in helping you to design a moisture control, humidity control, or foundation repair solution that’s right for your situation.


Read more about Healthy Homes with Healthy Basements.

Read more about the wet basement repair options.

Contact Virginia Basement to have a issue resolved.