Basements and cellars are renowned for having moisture issues leading to water damage on items in storage or to walls and flooring. The cold surfaces of underground walls meeting humid air containing excess moisture results in condensation can lead to a damp basement, even if it is one that has been modernised. Moisture in the air is usually the culprit in these scenarios, but often water leaks and rain can be the root cause of damp or humid spaces.

We are getting numerous calls at the moment about wet cellars following recent rains. Many of these are un-modernised coal-cellar spaces within Victorian terraced houses. To start the drying process in your basement we, recommended following these simple steps:

Drying out your basement or cellar

• Close off any ventilation to the outside, such as temporarily blocking air bricks to the front and rear. This will create more of a closed-air environment for the dehumidifier to recycle the same air and helps to reduce any basement humidity. Be sure to close any basement windows or other sources of ventilation.
• Particularly if it’s cold, install a portable heater in order lift the temperature in the room to at least 20 celcius. This helps the dehumidifier operate more efficiently. The dehumidifier itself produces warmth as a by-product of operating, however other heating methods would help in addition to this
• Install our compact industrial dehumidifier or the large industrial dehumidifier – both are perfect for use as basement dehumidifiers. To boost the evaporation rate and ensure the length of the cellar is dried, consider installing 1 or 2 industrial fans, especially in cases of high humidity.
• Run the equipment for at least 2 weeks in order to shift the excess water close to the surface of the brick walls and concrete floors. While these materials are unlikely to dry fully within this time, the cellar is likely to return to its normal equilibrium, after which natural ventilation (via air bricks) will reduce humidity.

For residential or commercial basements that have been converted to useable accommodation, other steps may need to be considered, in order to prepare the space for drying:

• Wet plasterboard walls may need to be cut away, in order to remove materials that may be affected by mould. Also, this will allow for proper ventilation with dry air to circulating over the structural material behind
• Floor coverings such as carpet or laminate flooring would ideally be removed, if affected by flood water, in order to facilitate drying of the concrete floor structure below.

For any advice on basement dehumidifiers for your home or commercial property, please contact us on 020 7760 7660 or help@dehumidifier-rental.co.uk. Our products are energy efficient and highly effective in restoring optimum humidity to your basement, cellar or garage.

• How to Dehumidify a Bathroom
• How to dehumidify a Bedroom?