A guide to the best dehumidifier for a damp basement
When you have a problem with a damp basement or if your property suffers from excess humidity, then you will be aware of the potential for mold and damp. You can’t really deny there is a problem, because it is difficult to avoid it. There is that cold, damp sensation, and the appearance of mold, and the smell of mildew. If you don’t take action, the mold will continue to grow and spread up the walls. Eventually, the basement will become practically unliveable, there will be damage to everything stored down there. A damp basement with a mold problem can even cause health problems for everyone living in the house also.
Best Dehumidifier
The only way to solve the problem is to choose the best dehumidifier for a damp basement. The best dehumidifier for the size of the room can help to reduce the moisture and dampness. When you choose the best dehumidifier for a damp basement, you can reduce the mold and mildew, and get rid of the damp smell. Not only will the basement look and smell better, but you can also reduce the damage to the stored items. Dampness and mold can take over the entire basement, and encourage pests and vermin to live there, until the entire room is disgusting. The simplest way to overcome the problems of a damp basement is to read our guide to the best dehumidifier for a damp basement
How does a Dehumidifier reduce humidity?
A dehumidifier can only reduce the relative humidity of the air. If you have significant ground water, or water leakage, then you may have to deal with the issue separately. But the best dehumidifier for a damp basement can certainly remove moisture from the atmosphere, thereby reducing the ambient humidity. When a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, it converts the moisture back into liquid water, which is poured down the drain.
How to Choose the best Dehumidifier for a damp basement
The biggest factor when it comes time to choose a dehumidifier is the size of the basement. If you have a large basement, with high moisture content or high humidity factor, then you need to choose a larger dehumidifier to reduce the humidity. The problem with humidity in a damp basement is that the moisture can come from all directions. During certain types of weather events, the air can become saturated with high humidity, which will affect the dampness of the basement. There is also the problem of groundwater seeping into the foundations which can also cause dampness in the basement. The good news is that each of these problems can be overcome when you choose the best dehumidifier for a damp basement. But you need to remember that the dampness is continually creeping into the basement, so you need to remove the moisture faster than it comes in!
What size dehumidifier do I need?
If you have a large basement with high humidity and dampness, then you will need a large capacity dehumidifier to remove the moisture content. So what size dehumidifier do I need for a damp basement? This size of dehumidifier is dependent on several factors. It depends on the size of the basement, the temperature within the basement, and the humidity of the atmosphere. As a general rule, the size of a dehumidifier is required to be larger than the recommended size of the damp basement so that it doesn’t get overcome by dampness.
How is a dehumidifier sized?
The best dehumidifier for a damp basement is measured in terms of the capacity of the moisture that can be removed from the air in a 24 hour period. The dehumidifier is not measured into terms of pump size or motor size, because they all have different internal design. The best dehumidifier for a damp basement is the one which can remove the most amount of moisture from the air every day! However, as a general rule, the larger the dehumidifier is in terms of moisture capacity, the larger the machine has to be in order to deal with the larger volume of water. The larger the size of the dehumidifier, the larger the size of the basement that it can handle.
How big is your basement?
All you need to do is to calculate the size of your basement, to find the right size of the best dehumidifier for a damp basement. The rough dimensions of your basement from length and width can be used to calculate the floor area. A rough estimate is all that is required to decide the correct size.
How much humidity?
The higher the humidity, the harder the dehumidifier has to work, and the greater the volume of water that will be condensed out of the air. Of course, the humidity levels vary a lot as the weather changes, and as the seasons change. But you need to remember that it is the times of peak humidity that cause the biggest problems with damp and mold and mildew. So when you buy a dehumidifier for a damp basement, you need to focus on the peak humidity level that needs to be reduced.
Small Dehumidifier (10 – 20 pints)
But if you have a small basement with very high humidity, then you need to be aware that a small dehumidifier may not be adequate. If there are times with peak humidity in excess of what the dehumidifier can handle, then you may be exposed to risk of damp and mildew. To avoid this happening, it is advisable to buy the best dehumidifier for a damp basement to make sure it can handle peak humidity levels.
Mid sized Dehumidifier (30 – 50 pints)
Large Dehumidifier (50 pints and higher)
If you have a large basement, then you will likely need a large dehumidifier. The best dehumidifier for a damp basement should be designed for continuous operations. The best way to deal with large amounts of moisture in the basement is to choose a dehumidifier that is designed to run day and night, so that the moisture levels don’t build up again. Not only will a large dehumidifier remove more moisture, but it is likely to be a more expensive unit. You may also need to make allowance for a plumbed in drain, to allow for drainage of the condensation that is removed from the air. This means that the dehumidifier can run continuously, and it doesn’t have to stop to empty the water tank. If you don’t have a drain in the basement, then you need to buy a dehumidifier with a pump system to remove liquid from the basement.
Which is the best dehumidifier for a damp basement?
There are many options to buy the best dehumidifier for a damp basement. But there are also many considerations about the size of the basement, and the humidity levels in the basement. The larger the basement, and the more moisture to be removed will generally result in the requirement for a large dehumidifier. But we think it is worth it! If you allow a basement to be overcome with dampness, mold and mildew, it will escalate out of control. The basement will become unbearable, and any stored items will be damaged beyond repair. You own health may be at stake due to mold and mildew!
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