Finishing your basement is a great way to add useful space to your home without major construction. However, you don’t want to trap moisture under the floor, which can potentially cause mold growth or water damage. Our team at Global Basement Waterproofing can install a dehumidifier system in your MA home to prevent water damage and mold. Before we do that, there’s an easy test you can do yourself to determine if you have a moisture problem and how bad it is.
If you’re worried about moisture or water damage in MA, perform this easy test to check the moisture level in your concrete floors.
Supplies
This test only requires a few supplies, and you probably already have all of them. All you need is:
- Clear plastic sheeting
- Duct tape or packing tape
- Scissors
- Ruler or tape measure
Set-Up
To set up the test, cut several 24 x 24-inch squares of plastic sheeting, being careful to ensure there are no holes or tears. Spread each square across an area of your concrete floor. Space them out so you can test multiple areas of the floor. Securely tape all four sides of the plastic to the floor, creating a moisture-tight seal between the plastic and the concrete.
Observation
Leave the plastic squares taped to the floor for at least 48 hours before inspecting them. When you’re ready to check the results, feel the top of the plastic first. If condensation has formed on the outside of the plastic, you have excess moisture in the air. To check the floor, peel up the plastic and check the underside. If the underside of the plastic is damp or foggy, the concrete is expelling a significant amount of moisture.
To get a sense of how difficult it will be to keep the floor dry, you can dry out the room by running a dehumidifier and performing the test again.
Global Basement Waterproofing | Prevent Moisture and Water Damage in MA
If the results of your DIY test indicate excess moisture in your basement, our team at Global Basement Waterproofing can help. Better drainage, foundation repairs, dehumidifiers, and other solutions can help keep your basement dry. With our help, you can finish your basement, confident your new hangout space is safe and dry.
