Hey Y’all
Bought a new home in New England with a stone basement or a rubble basement, whatever you want to call it. The floor is concrete. The home is on a hill, and well above the water table, but it’s got a stump pump because stone basements can still weep if it’s wet enough, I believe. I know I’ll need to throw a dehumidifier in there and aim for 40%.
The home inspection didn’t turn up asbestos or anything like that, but I want to know if there are health hazards I should consider. Thinking about doing a radon test, are there any other tests I should do? Or items I should consider?
I’ve got a similar basement, could you tell me why a dehumidifier?
My understanding is somewhat limited, but I believe the stone and concrete pull moisture in, especially when humidity is high during and after rain. That moisture then allows mold or mildew to grow on surfaces, and the moisture is absorbed into wood, which weakens it, and shortens its lifespan.
Well shit, guess I’ll be buying a dehumidifier then. It’s nearly always high humidity where I live.
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain!
Concrete is porous as are mortar and bricks themselves I believe. Plus most basements are surrounded by a lot of earth so there is a lot of moisture to deal with. The dehumidifier will help bring the moisture down so that whatever gym equipment and whatever else is down there doesn’t start to rust/mold. I’ve never lived in a house with a basement like that so I can only assume.
To add to this: around 50% humidity is generally a good target to set for indoors.