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Determine Where the Water Is Coming From
Water or moisture gets into basements through two sources. One is indoor humidity that condenses on cold surfaces, such as the sweat on a cold glass of lemonade on a hot and humid day. The other main source is water—or water vapor—coming in from the outside. Rainwater, melting snow, or groundwater can saturate the soil around your foundation and leak in. Water can leak through cracks in the foundation or walls, or it can penetrate porous concrete or masonry walls in the form of water vapor.
To help you diagnose the problem, tape aluminum foil to your basement wall and inspect it a few days later. Moisture on the outside surface of the foil indicates high indoor humidity. Moisture behind the foil means moisture is leaking through the walls.
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Get Rid of Excess Humidity
Eliminate the sources of humid air. Seal leaky dryer vents with foil tape to prevent unwanted humid air from entering your basement. Don’t just use duct tape; it’ll eventually fall off.
Add an exhaust fan to your basement bathroom and make sure your family members turn it on during showers. Keep your basement windows closed during humid weather. And if you’re still getting condensation on cool surfaces, run a dehumidifier to lower the indoor humidity.
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