For many home and business owners, their primary concern with basement moisture levels is structural concerns. While water and high moisture levels certainly do pose serious structural risks to your basement and foundation, elevated moisture levels also pose serious health risks. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, our family-owned business has helped home and business owners across Michigan address the concerns that moisture levels can pose to a building’s structural integrity and the health of its occupants. We’ll take a closer look at how elevated moisture levels in your basement can threaten your health and how you can prevent the associated risks.

How Basement Moisture Issues Arise

Basements are often susceptible to high indoor moisture levels due to their below-ground construction, limited ventilation, and cooler temperatures. Some of the most common causes of basement moisture issues include:

• Foundation wall seepage
• Hydrostatic pressure from groundwater
• Poor exterior drainage and grading
• Leaking pipes or appliances
• High humidity levels

Regardless of the cause of elevated moisture levels in your basement, once humidity exceeds 50%, risks to human health begins. At these humidity levels, mold, mildew, and dust mites can thrive, all of which are known to increase the risk of human health issues. Even if you don’t spend much time in your basement, a moist basement area can quickly spread to the upstairs level of your home, bringing health risks with it.

How Poor Quality Basement Air Spreads in a Home

For many homeowners who don’t spend time in their basements, moisture issues seem like something that can be put on the back burner. Unfortunately, moist basement air and the health risks it poses can easily rise from your basement into the upstairs sections of your home through something called the stack effect. The stack effect is the movement of air throughout your home driven by pressure and temperature differences. Other ways that moist basement air can spread in a home include:

• HVAC systems
• Floor gaps
• Stairwells
• Ductwork

These factors, combined with the stack effect, mean that up to 40% of the air that you breathe in your home on the first floor originates from the basement.

Health Concerns Posed by Basement Moisture Issues

Moisture and elevated levels of humidity can become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria, and dust mites, all of which pose serious health concerns. Homes with poor air quality can lead to asthma flare-ups, sinus congestion, eye irritation, and other health risks, particularly if you are an older adult or immunocompromised. If you notice increased moisture levels or mold growth in your basement, it’s crucial to address these issues as soon as they arise to prevent the health risks associated with poor air quality.

How Basement Waterproofing Can Address Moisture Issues in Your Basement

At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, our team of basement and foundation repair experts has several tools at their disposal to help you address moisture concerns in your basement. Depending on the specific cause of your moisture issues, our team can bring these levels down by utilizing:

• Basement vapor barriers
• Sump pumps
• Interior drainage systems
• Dehumidifiers
• Structural repairs

To have your basement inspected and get an estimate of the cost to make your basement air quality safe, give our team a call today.

Get Help With Basement Moisture Concerns With Tom’s Basement Waterproofing

If you’ve noticed increased moisture levels in your basement, water intrusion, or air quality issues, the team at Tom’s Basement Waterproofing is here to help. To schedule an inspection of your basement and get an estimate of the cost to make your basement air quality safe, give our team a call today at (586) 949-7826.