Basement w/ dirt floor & humidity
#1
10-22-03, 12:32 PM
Basement w/ dirt floor & humidity
A friend just purchased an older house with a dirt basement floor and brick foundation. The house is located in an area with known wet ground. It is heated via a warm air furnace located in the basement. Due to the high levels of humidity in the basement, it is not used to store anything (else it would grow mold).
The problem is that there is a lot of moisture accumulating on the windows (relatively new, thermalpane double glazed) inside the house. I suggested that he lay plastic on the dirt in the basement, but mold started growing under it within a few days, so he removed it.
Eventually, he would like to concrete over the floor, but that is likely several months or years off for the time being.
Is there anything he can do now to help reduce the humidity coming from the basement and up into the house?
The problem is that there is a lot of moisture accumulating on the windows (relatively new, thermalpane double glazed) inside the house. I suggested that he lay plastic on the dirt in the basement, but mold started growing under it within a few days, so he removed it.
Eventually, he would like to concrete over the floor, but that is likely several months or years off for the time being.
Is there anything he can do now to help reduce the humidity coming from the basement and up into the house?
#3
10-23-03, 06:54 PM
Basement w/ dirt floor & humidity
How about a vapor barrier. You will want to do this anyway before concrete is poured. Plus draintile, stone, and a sump needs to go in before the concrete.
I'd even start to wonder about exposure to radon gas with an open floor like that. Make sure there is enough ventilation to avoid that. The vapor barrier can help with that as well.
I'd even start to wonder about exposure to radon gas with an open floor like that. Make sure there is enough ventilation to avoid that. The vapor barrier can help with that as well.
