Basement and Crawl Space Dehumidifiers in Southern Massachusetts & Rhode Island
When “dry” means – feels dry, smells dry and looks dry. Even though other basement waterproofing systems may already be installed, a number of issues can still create dampness in the basement.• Capillary action, meaning wicking, can bring in moisture. For example, a block wall may not leak, but it feels damp because it is wicking the water inside it to the surface like a sponge.
• Water vapor coming through the floor and walls also needs to be addressed. By installing one of the basement wall systems and our ThermalDry Floor Matting, you will have installed a vapor barrier and wicking will no longer be an issue and water vapor transmission will slow down considerably.
• Water also enters the basement from exterior air leaking into the basement. This is not a problem when the outside air is cooler than in the underground environment. The warmer summertime air moves larger amounts of water into the basement.
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Condensation on ducts indicate high |
When the outside air is warmer than the inside air – and especially when it is humid outside air – a condensation problem is likely to develop in the subterranean levels. This is because the Relative Humidity of the air goes up 2.2% for each degree it is cooled. Basements are always cool because they are below ground. Similar to a chimney, the air in a house flows upwards, allowing air to escape the upper levels, with new air being sucked in at the lower levels. So in the summer when it is hot and humid, rain or not, the basement may be the wettest it has been all year!
On an 80-degree day with relative humidity of 80% and as the air conditioning system sucks this air into the basement and cools it to 68 degrees, the Relative Humidity 
up by 26.4% (12 x 2.2%). Since 80% plus 26.4% is more than 100%, the air becomes saturated and creates moisture (condensation) on cold basement walls, the floor, water tank, pipes and other cold items in the basement.
Even without condensation, high relative humidity levels allow mold to grow and cause “stinky basement syndrome”. Dust mites love high relative humidity levels as well. In order to eliminate condensation the air must be heated or the water must be removed from it, which is easy to do with efficient and effective equipment.
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Dehumidifier comparison: |
Basement Air System.
To receive a FREE copy of “ Dry Basement Science”, which talks in more detail about dehumidification, relative humidity and the SaniDry Basement and Crawl Space Air System, schedule your FREE home inspection and estimate and we at Dry Zone Basement Systems will send the book to you.
