We have a stone foundation with a poured foundation added on to it. Our problem is that we are unable to strore things in the basement due to mold. The addition has a walk out access and about 31 sq. ft. of window opening, the two basements are connected to each other by a 36″door and the new addition also has a set of steps going to the floor above. These steps are open with no obstructions. Now I know a dihumidifier would help but they cost a boat load to run for the entire summer. We are also without AC. What are some of the options for reducing the humidity level? Thanks.
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Replies
What type of soil and is it graded away from the building? Where are you located? You could get a fan with a humdistat and make a few more openings in the wall to allow the air to circulate (could be more of a problem than it's worth in cold climates) or try to correct the moisture problem. If it's ground water you could dig and install drain tile with a pump; water proof the exterior of the stone walls. If it's surface water that runs back to the house and seeps into the foundation try grading the site away from the house. The other alternative is to use a dehumidifier. It may be cheaper depending on how long you plan to live in the house.
if the stone is pointed (mortared ) and sound, you can coat the walls of the stone part and the concrete part with Thoroseal... you can also coat the floor .. this will reduce the amount of vapor entering and then the dehumidiifer will have a reduced load... but in the end.. the dehumidifier is the only thing that will do any good..
and don't try to ventilate.. that usually just introduces more moist air.. particularly at night with a heavy dew..
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore