Basements / Crawl Spaces
1. Put a plastic cover over dirt in crawlspaces to prevent moisture from coming in from the ground. Be sure crawlspaces/basements are well ventilated with good cross ventilation under the house so air will circulate freely. Make sure all vents are unobstructed and repair any torn vent screens. If you don¡¯t have sufficient vents, add more.
2. Get your basement waterproofed through a professional service:
3. Building construction practices to prevent moisture in a new home, particularly in the basement:
Site selection. The first and perhaps most important step is to select a suitable site. Moisture problems are greatly reduced if a home is built on a site with a high water table.
Surface drainage. Landscaping should be graded/sloped to direct rainwater and melting snow away from the foundation. At least six inches over the first ten feet from the foundation wall.
Dampproofing. A dampproof coating on the below grade portion of the foundation wall. Tell your builder you want a high quality, durable waterproofing. A thin dampproof coating is vulnerable to damage during construction.
Floor slab. The basement floor can be a significant source of moisture. To reduce water absorption, the concrete slab should be poured on top of three to four inches of washed aggregate, with a sheet of polyethylene installed beneath the aggregate. Insulating the floor slab saves energy and improves comfort; it also reduces basement condensation in the summer.
Drainage system. An effective exterior drainage system drains bulk water away from the foundation. A channel of coarse rock or drainage tile may be used. The drainage system must be installed on the outside, and near the bottom of the footing
Foundation wall insulation. Foundation insulation may be placed on the exterior wall, be an integral part of the wall, or placed on the interior of the foundation wall. Regardless of where the insulation is plac.