| One of the major problems of owning a | | | | the water drain out into a floor drain, sump or |
| basement is dealing with damp. If this is | | | | sink. This way you needn't concern yourself with |
| something you want to prevent or deal with then | | | | the task of emptying it out. If you are using a |
| buying a basement dehumidifier is a very good | | | | hose, avoid having one which is too long as you |
| idea. A wet basement is certainly not something | | | | could easily trip over it. |
| you want to contend with as it can cause serious | | | | When the temperature dips well below freezing, |
| problems with your home and your health. You | | | | the coils around your dehumidifier can frost up, |
| may not know this, but the damp in your | | | | causing the unit to stop working as well as it |
| basement can cause mold which can then cause | | | | should. There are two ways to deal with this; |
| respiratory problems, especially with any one who | | | | either you switch off the unit and allow it to |
| suffers from allergies. Damp is caused by excess | | | | defrost, or you can buy a dehumidifier with a |
| water so a dehumidifier will help sort this out. | | | | built-in sensor which will do this for you. If your |
| Air holds water and when this water meets cold | | | | basement is often cold you should see about |
| air it turns into condensation. When this happens | | | | buying a dehumidifier which can operate in low |
| the condensation lies on surfaces such as flooring | | | | temperatures. |
| and walls causing your basement to become | | | | To keep the dehumidifier working to its optimum |
| damp. The worst time of year for this to happen | | | | level, make sure you keep the coils clean. Also |
| is spring and summer so you should see about | | | | ensure that the unit is kept well away from dust |
| preventing it happening as soon as possible. Fixing | | | | and smoke. You also only need to use the |
| a wet basement can be done by using both | | | | machine if there is actually a problem with high |
| insulation and a dehumidifier. | | | | humidity. |
| How to Buy a Basement Dehumidifier | | | | Because there are so many models of |
| There are many basement dehumidifiers to | | | | dehumidifier on the market, the amount you |
| choose from so do your research before buying. | | | | spend can vary greatly. It all depends on quality, |
| Surprisingly, the larger units on the market require | | | | brand, size and functions. Read through the |
| less energy because the removal or moisture | | | | specifications and ask advice from the sales |
| from the air is quicker. The smaller sized units | | | | person if you don't understand. Quite often the |
| need to be on all the time so that they can do | | | | sales info provided is quite technical and isn't |
| the same job. If your basement is open plan | | | | written with a regular consumer in mind. |
| (meaning it's just one big room) you'll probably | | | | Where to Place Your Basement Dehumidifier |
| only require the one dehumidifier. | | | | Most dehumidifiers have the air discharge at the |
| Dehumidifiers extract water from the air which | | | | top so that you can position it against a wall. If |
| means the water is collected and needs to be | | | | this isn't the case then make sure you put have it |
| drained. There are different ways the water can | | | | away from the walls and furniture so that the air |
| be drained. If the water doesn't get drained | | | | can circulate. |
| regularly enough the dehumidifier won't be able to | | | | To improve your dehumidifier's efficiency, you |
| function correctly. Because large dehumidifiers hold | | | | should keep doors and any windows shut. Make |
| more water, they don't have to be emptied as | | | | sure you read the instructions and keep the unit |
| often. However the problem with that is the | | | | away from electricity. Remember, water and |
| bucket can end up being extremely heavy and | | | | electricity is not a safe combination. |
| difficult to carry. Dehumidifiers can hold anywhere | | | | If you basement is damp, another thing you |
| between 35 and 135 pints of water. Most units | | | | should make sure you do is install plenty of |
| have warning lights to indicate that it is full and | | | | insulation in the walls, floors, ceiling and water |
| this allows you to easily see at a glance if there is | | | | pipes. |
| a problem. The easiest option would be to have | | | | |