Planning to renovate your basement or turn it into a living space? Or are you facing ventilation issues after the remodel? Regardless of which of these is your situation, a moisture-filled basement is bad news. From giving out a musty smell to having a moisture or radon buildup, lack of ventilation can lead to several problems in your basement, potentially failing your house in a home inspection in Flossmoor. So, here are five ways you can ventilate your basement.
Open windows and doors
The best and the most natural way to ventilate your basement is by opening the doors to the room and the windows in it. Whenever the weather permits, keep the window open to let the air in. Having two windows could help further with the cross breeze. Keeping the doors to the basement can help let air pass from upstairs windows and doors.
Get new or enlarge windows
If you don’t have a window or not enough, it is smart to get a new one. If your basement is shallow, this can be done easily by installing the window into the wooden wall frame. However, with deeper basements, you need a contractor’s help to cut into the masonry foundation. Alternatively, you can enlarge the existing window.
Install exhaust fans
When you have a basement bathroom, leave the exhaust fans on after use until all the moisture is sucked up. If you don’t have a fan, you should install a high-performance fan to regulate moisture in your basement.
Bring HVAC to basement
If you are wondering how to ventilate as you renovate the basement, then extending the HVAC is a great option. Run the system’s ductwork into the basement while ensuring the air return duct is included so that air can be recirculated after being drawn out. This way, you can ensure your basement’s temperature is appropriate at all times and eliminate moisture. Make sure you use high-quality HEPA filters to get rid of pollen and dirt.
Install an HRV
An HRV or heat recovery ventilator is a device that introduces outdoor air into the room. If your basement has a radon buildup, aside from calling in the experts and taking the right measures, you need this device. Not only does it keep the room ventilated, but it also clears up radon gas. It maintains room temperature by using the expelled air to heat up the incoming outdoor air.
Conclusion
A damp basement or worse, a basement infested with mold growth or radon buildup can cause harm to your house and your family. You can prevent this by ventilating your basement through an exhaust fan, HVAC system, HRV, and windows and doors. Using any of them to ventilate the room can save you dollars on major repairs.
