Wet basements are more than a nuisance-they can lead to major issues. Moisture is often responsible for mold growth, unpleasant odors, and other unpleasant aspects that could compromise your home’s comfort and safety.
To prevent moisture issues, be sure to address the root causes. For instance, leaky appliances or plumbing pipes can lead to moisture issues.
Basement moisture causes many headaches for homeowners, so it’s important to take steps to prevent it from becoming a problem in the first place.
Damp-Rid
When wet weather or snowmelt saturates the ground around your foundation, water can seep into your basement and seep into masonry walls or concrete basement floors in the form of water vapor.
The initial step to eliminating moisture in your basement is eliminating sources of excess humidity within your home. These could include:
Leaking pipes (especially those visible from the basement)
Excessive humidity can lead to condensation on cold surfaces. If you’re experiencing this issue, try running a dehumidifier in your basement to reduce the humidity levels.
DampRid is an effective product to absorb humidity and eliminate musty odors in your basement. It features salt crystals that absorb odor molecules while neutralizing them at the same time.
A damp basement can encourage mold growth, which in turn poses health risks. If you spot signs of moisture or rotting ceilings, it’s wise to call in an expert for inspection and treatment.
Silica Gel
If you are a collector of anything, chances are you have silica gel packets hidden among your items. This is because these small packets help shield items from moisture damage.
Jewellery and leather shoes are especially prone to moisture stains and discoloration due to excessive sweat. Silica gel sachets tucked between the jewelry and shoe leather can absorb moisture, protecting your treasures from ruin or staining.
Guns and ammo are particularly susceptible to moisture damage due to inadequate storage. To protect them, place some silica gel packs in your gun safe and maintain humidity levels of 30 or 50% below that level to prevent rusting.
Photographers and scrapbookers alike will benefit from adding silica gel packets to their boxes and storage containers, helping protect photos from moisture damage. It’s an inexpensive yet effective way to guarantee that your memories can be enjoyed for years to come.
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Cold Showers
Cold showers have become a growing trend among fitness and health influencers. But before you jump in the water, here are some things to consider:
When taking cold showers, the ideal strategy is to start slowly and gradually increase their duration as you become more familiar with the sensation. Aim to spend 30 seconds to one minute submerged in cold water, gradually increasing that time as your body adjusts to the change.
Showering cold can help you wake up in the morning by stimulating blood circulation and releasing endorphins that boost energy and mood.
Showering cold can help strengthen your immune system. It increases white blood cells – your body’s first line of defense against disease – while decreasing cytokine production, which contributes to inflammation.
Plants
There are a number of plants that can help reduce humidity in your home, especially those native to warm climates. Popular choices include the cactus, reed palm, peace lily, and Boston fern.
Some of these plants are adept at absorbing excess moisture from the air. This property makes them especially useful in places with high relative humidity levels, like basements.
Plants can help prevent basement moisture accumulation by reducing runoff and keeping water away from your foundation. One way to achieve this is by installing rain gardens – recessed areas in your yard that enable water to run off and away from your house.
Another way to reduce basement moisture is by draining any standing pools of water around your home. These can create the ideal breeding ground for mold, so make sure they’re not there in your vicinity.
Oakville finished basement renovation is a great way to add extra living space to your home.
