Hey everyone! I recently bought a fixer-upper in rural West Virginia, and I'm dealing with a super humid basement situation. After cleaning out the space, I found that the concrete floor is still pretty damp, even more so after a few heavy rainstorms. There's a little water pooling, but the main issue seems to be moisture 'sweating' from the walls. I'm looking for some effective stop-gap solutions to help absorb this moisture while I prep for a more permanent fix by a contractor. Would using flood bags or something similar be a good idea? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
I’ve had good luck with Drylok on my cemented field stone foundation. It was already applied when I moved in, but it’s held up great over the years. Might be worth looking into as part of your long-term plan!
Those flood bags might soak up some water, but keep in mind they're one-time use, and it's unclear how much they can actually hold. A solid dehumidifier could be a better option. Plus, if you have a low drain, it can make managing the water way easier! Just remember to investigate the cause of the water—sometimes extending your downspouts or sloping the dirt away from your house can make a big difference before you dive into more complex (and pricey) solutions like installing a sump pump.
For your damp floor, sometimes there are drainage issues if your concrete is just sitting on dirt, especially if it’s a thin layer. Starting with a dehumidifier and keeping an eye on your gutters is a good step. If things don’t improve, you may need to excavate and set up proper drainage and insulation underneath. Fingers crossed you won’t have to go that route!
Before diving into all those solutions, check the area around your foundation. Make sure the ground’s sloping properly and that your gutters direct water away. A dehumidifier will help reduce the humidity but won’t stop water from coming through the walls. Long-term, you might want to consider more reliable methods like exterior waterproofing or French drains, but they can be a bit of an investment.
Definitely grab a dehumidifier. Just make sure you have a good way to drain it, like a sump pit. Also, check for outsides issues—like if your gutters are clear, and if the ground slopes away from your foundation. If it keeps happening, you might eventually need to look into French drains or waterproofing, but those can get really costly.