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fixer1234
fixer1234
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If there are HVAC vents and a return in the basement, the air is being mixed by your air handler, and a curtain won't make a difference. If that isn't the case, there aren't natural air currents circulating the air between floors, so again, a curtain won't make a difference.

To the extent there is air mixing between floors, that's probably a good thing for the basement. Basement humidity that migrates into the house air will get removed by the house air conditioning, and fresh air in the basement will reduce the likelihood of a mold bloom.

All that said, the basement is humid for a reason, and that reason should be investigated. It's normal to get a little water migration through the basement walls and/or floor. Basements are also generally cooler, so the relative humidity will be higher. However, it can also be a sign of an external water problem.

Examine the basement walls and floor for signs of visible wetness (there shouldn't be any; if there are, you've got a problem to deal with). Check But even without visible wetness, any water collecting around the foundation will increase what migrates to the inside.

Check gutters and downspouts to ensure that the gutters are tight, the system is clear of debris, and the downspouts discharge far from the house (at least 8' if possible). You may want to consider downspout extensions, or piping the water farther away. Make sure there is good grading around the house. The backfill around the foundation settles for decades and gets eroded; you need to periodically improve the grading.

If there are HVAC vents and a return in the basement, the air is being mixed by your air handler, and a curtain won't make a difference. If that isn't the case, there aren't natural air currents circulating the air between floors, so again, a curtain won't make a difference.

To the extent there is air mixing between floors, that's probably a good thing for the basement. Basement humidity that migrates into the house air will get removed by the house air conditioning, and fresh air in the basement will reduce the likelihood of a mold bloom.

All that said, the basement is humid for a reason, and that reason should be investigated. It's normal to get a little water migration through basement walls. Basements are also generally cooler, so the relative humidity will be higher. However, it can also be a sign of an external water problem.

Examine the basement walls and floor for signs of visible wetness (there shouldn't be any; if there are, you've got a problem to deal with). Check gutters and downspouts to ensure that the gutters are tight, the system is clear of debris, and the downspouts discharge far from the house (at least 8' if possible). You may want to consider downspout extensions, or piping the water farther away. Make sure there is good grading around the house. The backfill around the foundation settles for decades and gets eroded; you need to periodically improve the grading.

If there are HVAC vents and a return in the basement, the air is being mixed by your air handler, and a curtain won't make a difference. If that isn't the case, there aren't natural air currents circulating the air between floors, so again, a curtain won't make a difference.

To the extent there is air mixing between floors, that's probably a good thing for the basement. Basement humidity that migrates into the house air will get removed by the house air conditioning, and fresh air in the basement will reduce the likelihood of a mold bloom.

All that said, the basement is humid for a reason, and that reason should be investigated. It's normal to get a little water migration through the basement walls and/or floor. Basements are also generally cooler, so the relative humidity will be higher. However, it can also be a sign of an external water problem.

Examine the basement walls and floor for signs of visible wetness (there shouldn't be any; if there are, you've got a problem to deal with). But even without visible wetness, any water collecting around the foundation will increase what migrates to the inside.

Check gutters and downspouts to ensure that the gutters are tight, the system is clear of debris, and the downspouts discharge far from the house (at least 8' if possible). You may want to consider downspout extensions, or piping the water farther away. Make sure there is good grading around the house. The backfill around the foundation settles for decades and gets eroded; you need to periodically improve the grading.

Source Link
fixer1234
fixer1234
  • 6.2k
  • 4
  • 32
  • 51

If there are HVAC vents and a return in the basement, the air is being mixed by your air handler, and a curtain won't make a difference. If that isn't the case, there aren't natural air currents circulating the air between floors, so again, a curtain won't make a difference.

To the extent there is air mixing between floors, that's probably a good thing for the basement. Basement humidity that migrates into the house air will get removed by the house air conditioning, and fresh air in the basement will reduce the likelihood of a mold bloom.

All that said, the basement is humid for a reason, and that reason should be investigated. It's normal to get a little water migration through basement walls. Basements are also generally cooler, so the relative humidity will be higher. However, it can also be a sign of an external water problem.

Examine the basement walls and floor for signs of visible wetness (there shouldn't be any; if there are, you've got a problem to deal with). Check gutters and downspouts to ensure that the gutters are tight, the system is clear of debris, and the downspouts discharge far from the house (at least 8' if possible). You may want to consider downspout extensions, or piping the water farther away. Make sure there is good grading around the house. The backfill around the foundation settles for decades and gets eroded; you need to periodically improve the grading.