How to Keep Basement Dry Without a Dehumidifier?

Michael Bowen December 9, 2024

If you’re wondering how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier, you’ve come to the right place.

A basement is a perfect place for mold and mildew to grow, especially if it’s dark and wet. Moisture can seep into the structural supports of your home and cost you a lot of money to fix. Keeping your basement dry is crucial for these reasons.

A dehumidifier is one option to keep your basement dry, but it can be challenging to maneuver and difficult to empty if they don’t have a drain. This post will examine how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier in seven ways.

Why Does The Basement Need To Be Kept Dry?

Before learning how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier, let’s understand why you need to keep your basement dry.

Mold and mildew are highly prevalent in basements because they tend to be dim and wet. While a mold and mildew epidemic can make an area look ugly and dirty, it can also be hazardous to your health.

Because of the presence of mycotoxins, which are toxic substances produced by mold, people with respiratory conditions should avoid them.

Avoid damp basements if you don’t want to die from mold and mildew. The basement humidity could easily seep through your house’s structural foundation, leading to premature wear and tear and possibly even settlement issues.

These problems can cost thousands to repair, and in some cases, you cannot fix them at all. You might not believe this is a big deal, but you should reconsider it.

It’s vital to prevent water buildup in your basement to prevent these sorts of issues. A dehumidifier is an excellent option, but other, cheaper alternatives will accomplish the same. We will discuss how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier below.

What Causes Humidity In A Basement?

Before learning different methods on how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier, let’s understand what causes humidity in your basement.

There are many reasons why people are bothered by excess moisture, and one of them is the season. When hot air contains more moisture than cold air, humidity levels are higher in the summertime.

When humid air leaks into your basement through air ducts, inefficient windows, or other spots in your home, it mixes with cool air. It condenses, as described before, resulting in several complications.

Here are some other reasons why humidity accumulates in your basement.

Sump basin

A sump pump is necessary if your basement is naturally humid – it removes water and sends it to a safe spot. The pit and pump might cause both malfunctions.

You must ensure that your pump is the right size for your basin. If you have doubts about the structure of your basin, call a professional. After all, sump pumps fail in a variety of ways.

A broken float switch won’t activate the pump when it is required. If the pump does not pump as much as it should, additional water will accumulate in the pit, resulting in moisture leakage.

There must be a small amount of water at the bottom of every basin. A cover for the pump is necessary to prevent gasses and odors from entering your basement.

Plumbing problems

The basement houses a lot of pipes, and a leak or break in one of them can be tough to handle. Putting a wet basement to dry can be challenging, especially if there is a leak or a break in one of the pipes.

It may be hard to detect a leaking or broken pipe. Ensure all lines that go through the basement are in good condition.

In addition, look for wet spots on the walls, as this may signify a broken pipe. If there is a concern with the plumbing, fix it before you dry the basement.

Bathroom above the basement

This home has a bathroom above the basement, which might be the cause of the issues that prompted your inquiry about how to keep a basement dry without a dehumidifier. A cracked tile or more might be the culprit.

The leaking water from the bathroom will increase the moisture and humidity in the basement.

These issues may appear more evident as the toilet does not work as well as it should. Additionally, the leaking water may cause increased humidity in the basement if the bathroom has a broken wax ring seal.

Plants in the basement

It may seem insane to keep plants in the basement, as there is little light. However, it’s a well-known phenomenon. Placing them near a basement window is equally hazardous. The dampness from the plants will leak into your basement. Placing them near a basement window is equally hazardous.

Although it may seem negligible, basements with poor ventilation suffer, and one or two plants don’t make a difference, but a collection does.

Humidity in air

Keeping the basement dry without an AC in hot, humid weather areas is challenging. A dehumidifier is critical in these areas.

As mentioned above, when the hot, moist air mixes with the cold air in your house, it creates a vapor. This occurs in your basement because it is naturally complex, and outside air can quickly enter.

The windows cannot be closed all summer, so sealing the basement is not an efficient approach. It will help if you get a dehumidifier to reduce moisture.

However, various alternatives are available if you can’t get a dehumidifier. You can check below how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier.

How To Detect Humidity In Your Basement?

It’s critical to determine whether your basement has a moisture problem before you provide answers to the question, how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier.

A moisture meter can tell you if your basement has a humidity problem. If you aren’t sure what a moisture meter is, it’s an instrument used to estimate the amount of water in a particular substance, such as wood or concrete.

Hygrometers measure the level of water vapor present in the area where they are used. The presence of condensation on the walls, ceiling, and glass windows indicates humidity. Hygrometers are relatively cheap and straightforward to set up.

The presence of efflorescence, a white, powdery salt deposit that appears on concrete (as shown above), brick, and stone due to humidity, is another indication. When too much moistness is in the air, crystalline salt forms and deposits on these surfaces.

You may notice a musky odor when mold or mildew begins to grow. In addition to allergic reactions, some homeowners may be allergic to mildew or mold.

Now that we know how to detect humidity in the basement, let’s learn how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier.

How To Keep Basement Dry Without A Dehumidifier?

There are several ways to remove the humidity without using a dehumidifier, and many of the methods listed below are also very useful.

These are the most affordable, readily available solutions to dry your basement. Best of all, some of these options improve your space visually, making it a win-win scenario.

Use desiccants

Depending on the substance, a desiccant can artificially remove moisture from the air. Silica gel beads, activated alumina, calcium chloride, certain types of clay, and molecular sieves, among others, are all types of desiccants.

You can discover these items and many others at your local hardware store or online for low prices. Dehumidifiers can be costly, especially if you compare them to cheaper alternatives like desiccants.

Set plants near windows

Place some houseplants near any drafts outside your home or your basement window to remove excess moisture from the air and enhance indoor air quality. Because of their natural ability to filter toxins, you may use houseplants to improve indoor air quality.

For these and other grounds, you should strive to put at least a few plants throughout your basement, preferably near a basement window.

Dracaena and English ivy are two popular plants that thrive indoors and provide a “green ceiling.”

Hang Baking Soda In Plastic Bags

In your household, you may find baking soda an effective moisture absorber. You can make a temporary dehumidifier by putting a bowl of baking soda in a room and leaving it there. Place baking soda in plastic bags on the ceiling or around the room to enhance the effect.

Placing the bags near moisture-prone areas such as your washing machine and dryer, under sinks, and near windows will improve the impact.

Purchase Carpeting Mats

The carpeting mats you buy at your local home improvement store can prevent moisture from seeping into the walls. Place them under any furniture with wheels, such as couches and dressers.

Mats can also be used in areas with tile or wood floors to prevent the wood from warping due to high humidity levels. You can also use mats to line your crawl space.

This will keep your floorboards and tiles from bending and breaking if the carpets get too wet. Remove them, let them dry if they get too wet, and replace them again.

Place Damp Rid in Your Basement

When learning the answer to the question of how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier, Damp-rid is another efficient method for removing moisture from your basement. You may purchase it at any home improvement store, but be careful where you put it because it is highly flammable.

Placing damp-rid near vents or other entry points outside the house near your furnace or air conditioner is a good idea.

Be sure to include a window near your furnace or air conditioner since this is where most of your outside moisture enters your home.

Install a Vent Fan

Installing a vent fan is a good idea to remove moisture from the basement. It will also boost airflow and help prevent dampness from accumulating.

If you don’t already have one, we highly recommend having an electrician examine all your fans and replace any broken ones.

A vent fan on the ceiling or wall connected to an outside vent will expel warm air with moisture from your basement. During humid weather, open some windows to release extra humidity.

Add Extra Drainage and Waterproofing

Are you still wondering how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier? Consider adding a waterproof barrier or material to the room to help keep water out. You can add extra waterproofing to the walls or employ a secondary sump pump to boost drainage.

This can be a pricey option, so consider your options before taking this vital step. Every drop of water you keep out of the basement will require less draining.

Now you know how to how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier. Consider one of these alternatives if you want to keep your basement dry without running up the electric bill with an expensive dehumidifier.

Conclusion

Mold and mildew growing in your basement can be extremely dangerous to your health in the short and long term. Moisture buildup at your home’s foundation can also cause structural issues, which may cost thousands of dollars to correct. Keeping your basement dry is crucial for these reasons.

A dehumidifier is a terrific option, but it can be costly. There are, however, cheaper alternatives like desiccants, plants, ventilation systems, baking soda, charcoal, and fans.

Hopefully, this guide answers your question, “how to keep basement dry without a dehumidifier.”