Hi All, We've got a wet basement and i"m not sure there's anyway to keep it dry. French drains were installed by previous owner, but they're clogged now.
What's the real downside to having a wet basement? Is there any reason to fix it besides aesthetics?
You mea aside from the fact that it promotes mold and mildew that can cause health problems?
How do you know the drains are clogged, maybe they can be flushed. Use a dehumidifier, Sears makes one that operates at 45f, most only work to
65f then freeze up. Humidity, mold, water, can ruin a basement and circulate bad air. Get a pro out it may be alot of other things, gutters, downspouts, grading, a broken pipe, bad walls etc.
...and to anything stored in the basement; like boxes, pictures, clothing, keepsakes, furniture, etc.
It could weaken the foundation or walls over time. Damp places attract termites. Some kinds of mold/mildew can be harmful. Wet basements usually have a dank smell and make it a bad place for storage. Houses with wet basements are harder to sell. Can't you unclog the French drains?
TrueWest:
T > We've got a wet basement and i"m not sure there's anyway to keep it T > dry. French drains were installed by previous owner, but they're T > clogged now. T > T > What's the real downside to having a wet basement? Is there any T > reason to fix it besides aesthetics?
The standing water gets rather stale-smelling; the humidity gets a little high; mold/mildew to whatever is stored is stored down there (your living quarters upstairs will also get these); nuisance to get to the washer/dryer if in the basement, sloshing through the water; possibiilty of electrocution if you need to go into the basement to flip a breaker/change a fuse.
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