Fall is officially here, which means now is the best possible time to get your basement and crawl space ready for the winter months. Once the snow falls, water can ease through floor cracks or openings in your pipes. And wall-vented crawl spaces can’t maintain relative humidity below 70%.
That said, how can you successfully keep your basement and crawl space dry once the weather starts to look frightful? Consider the following four tips you can use for keeping your basement dry.
- Fill in cracks and gaps. The cracks and gaps in your basement flooring and walls create spaces where water can make its way in. To prevent water from sneaking in, use caulk or hydraulic cement to fill these openings before winter arrives.
- Clean your gutters and downspouts. Experts recommend cleaning your home’s gutter systems at least twice a year, once during the spring and once during the fall. Your gutters can build-up leaves, dirt, and other debris throughout the year. This gutter buildup can prevent your gutters from doing their job and the result is often water damage that seeps into your basement, crawl space, siding, roof, and more. That said, clear out your gutters not only to keep your basement dry but also to avoid ice dams later on in the winter months.
- Eliminate indoor humidity. You don’t want to shut off your dehumidifier despite winter’s cold and dry weather. While you don’t usually need to run your dehumidifier during the winter months because of the difference in relative humidity, it’s a good idea to leave it on to prevent humidity building up in your crawl space and basement.
- Call in professionals. There’s only so much you can do when it comes to keeping your basement dry. But the good news is that a professional waterproofing service can help to create a moisture barrier in your basement and crawl space to keep water and moisture out all year long.
Need help keeping your basement dry this winter?
When it comes to keeping your basement dry, sometimes it takes more than a dehumidifier to get the job done. That’s where Dry-Tek Environmental comes in.
Dry-Tek Environmental provides sump pump installations, moisture removal, and waterproofing services to ensure your basement and crawl space stay bone dry year-round to prevent mold growth. For more information about keeping your basement dry and waterproofing your crawl space, contact Dry-Tek Environmental today.
