Does re-finishing a basement reduce dampness? (how much, house, school)

[csteen85]

Our basement is around 600 sq. ft and is about 75% finished, but it's old finishes (wood paneling and linoleum tile).

We do run a dehumidifier down there, which works well, but it's running pretty frequently in the summer. I suppose that as it gets cooler, it'll be less humid, but I have concerns about re-finishing the basement in the future if moisture is an issue.

I know basements are frequently damp, but some people seem to have basements that are comfortable. Is it because they put up dry wall and carpets or did they have a dry basement before doing that?

We've slowly been working on increasing the grade of soil away from the house and fixing the gutters/downspouts, but I'm just wondering how humid is too humid for a basement? There are never puddles or even condensation really, it just feels humid and damp and smells a little musty.

If we replace the wood paneling with drywall and linoleum floors with either laminate or carpet, will it help (btw - we're nowhere near the water, so no risk of flooding). Are there other things that can be done (I don't know if there is any insulation down there or if there even could be in a basement).

Thanks!

[bellakin123]

Sounds like my old basement. We put up new sheetrock with new insolation and tiled the floors after pulling up the old linoleum. We found it made it big difference. There's still a little musty smell because we haven't finished the laundryroom yet but otherwise it's a 100% improvement. Our dehumidifier used to run non-stop before we replaced the walls and floor. We also replaced the windows. Now it's not as much.

Even though you're not near water, keep in mind if there's heavy rains or if a pipe bursts you may get flooded. I don't recommended carpeting for basements. I feel it retains too much of the dampness and musty smell.

[nuts2uiam]

If you look at it this way, it is below grade and surrounded by earth and dampness so anything there now is probably damp at best if you say it has a musty odor. IF you strip the walls and floor there are products that are made specifically for basements that are mild and mildew resistant that will tend to far better. So if you put up moisture barriers etc. and new "guts" it will certainly improve the area. Now you get in the area of what do you want to spend, how much time are you planning on using the basement and what is the purpose of the basement. IF for example, you are going to use it for a playroom, you should have an outside egress window at the very least, if not a door. Are you going to heat it? Also, you should try to avoid the big fluffy furniture which can hold the dampness. These are all things that can help avoid the Damp basement smell.

[ar1458]

I would like to add to liquid tar your foundation , I did it and help a lot as a moister barrier . I also put heavy 4 milimeter plastic over my insulated framed walls then sheetrock . I did this 14 years ago with no mold or mildew smell ....

[ovi8]

not in my experience - the dehumidifier works great though is loud.

[rocafeller05]

They say this is the worst thing to do. What you did is make a vapor lock at your framing. Now whatever comes into your house stays.

Have you looked at the foundation walls behind the plastic?

Originally Posted by ar1458

I would like to add to liquid tar your foundation , I did it and help a lot as a moister barrier . I also put heavy 4 milimeter plastic over my insulated framed walls then sheetrock . I did this 14 years ago with no mold or mildew smell ....

[ar1458]

Originally Posted by rocafeller05

They say this is the worst thing to do. What you did is make a vapor lock at your framing. Now whatever comes into your house stays.

Have you looked at the foundation walls behind the plastic?

Yes I did , still black tar and dry, no mold ...I should of pointed out that there is a one inch gap from the 2x4 to the foundation that follows all the way to the boiler room which keeps that air circulated . The boiler needs to draw air from somewhere and the boiler room is sealed off from the rest of the basement..I use to be a contractor with my uncle(old school thinking) and he argued with me that this was wrong but I keep telling him it is still dry today ...you need to understand that at the top of this framing you have a small gap that is the floor beams and face plate .Outside air does come in ,even though I have it insulated ...

[Kbinspections]

Foundations should NOT be seal from the inside of the basement. The correct way is to seal it from the outside (expensive). Sealing it from the inside keeps the foundation wet without a way for it to dry out.

[csteen85]

Originally Posted by Kbinspections

Foundations should NOT be seal from the inside of the basement. The correct way is to seal it from the outside (expensive). Sealing it from the inside keeps the foundation wet without a way for it to dry out.

So, then basements should never be finished? Or just no vapor seal should be installed?

We have wood paneling in the basement right now and I'm just wondering if we need to do anything before we install sheetrock in lieu of the paneling to reduce moisture.