Melting Snow Means Winter Basement Leaks

With warmer temperatures and plenty of melted snow, now is a good time to check your basement for excess humidity and leaks.

The basement is the place where water damage will most likely occur and it’s a huge problem for homeowners. Standing water can find its way into your basement through non-structural cracks in poured concrete walls or deteriorated joints in masonry walls. Poorly fitted or old basement windows, as well as utility openings, can also let water in. With a ton of fast-melting snow like what we had this week, it’s easier than you can imagine for moisture to get in where it shouldn’t.

The best line of defense for a dry basement is to make sure that the water is directed away from the foundation of the house. Inspect your gutters and downspouts to see if they are working the way they should be and also check to see that the ground right around your home is higher than the rest of the yard. Having the yard grade at its highest around the perimeter of the foundation will ensure water drains away from the house instead of into it.  

If you think your house is susceptible to leaks, you can also use a waterproofing membrane or coating to seal the foundation or basement area. However, if you have regular water problems, you may need to have a drainage or sump pump system installed by a professional.

Even if you don’t have a leak issue, the basement can get pretty damp from now through April, which creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow and fester. To get rid of the excess water, I always like to run a dehumidifier in the basement as the weather warms up. A dehumidifier works by pulling the moisture out of the air and storing the excess water in a holding tank. Many people keep dehumidifiers in their basement all year long to control the dampness that can often be felt in underground areas, but I find it especially useful this time of year.

You can find out if your basement is holding a lot of moisture by purchasing a simple five-dollar humidity gauge from the local hardware store. Ideally, you want the humidity to be under 50%. If it’s higher, a dehumidifier might be a good solution. Generally, a unit will come in 25, 30, and 40-pint models, and on average a 25-pint unit will be sufficient to control the moisture in a 1,000 square foot area.

One last word of advice - if you have a dehumidifier or plan on getting one, please be sure to empty it regularly and keep the filter clean. A simple wipe down with a damp cloth and spray bottle will do the trick to keep you breathing freely and ensure a longer life for the appliance.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Beware of Dangerous Ice Dams

We all know that snowfall, freezing rain, and sleet make for icy conditions on sidewalks and roads. But did you know that your roof is actually where hazardous winter weather can do the most harm? 

I’m talking about ice dams, a solid mass that forms when heavy snow blankets the roof, creating an extra layer of insulation. As warm air rises from your house and up through your attic, it causes the snow to melt and the water to slide down into the gutters. This would normally be just fine, but because so many homes in our area aren’t properly insulated, the melting ice will often make contact with the cold eaves of the roof and freeze again instead of draining off through the gutters. This forms an ice blockage. 

If not taken care of, that ice can grow if the weather stays cold. The dam can even get strong enough to lift up your roof shingles, creating gaps that will let the water through and into the attic. This is when people start to see leaks in their ceilings and walls. 

The best way to avoid this problem is by taking preventative measures. When you’re shoveling your driveway and clearing your sidewalks, think about snow removal for your roof too. This will help to avoid any potentially dangerous build-up. If an ice dam is already forming, one easy way to get rid of it is to simply fill a pair of pantyhose with ice melt and put it directly on the dam. If you’re not used to being on a ladder, don’t even think about getting up there in the winter months. A professional can help clear any winter debris from the house safely.

These, of course, are just stop-gap measures. The only way to prevent ice dams from forming permanently is to have your home properly insulated and ventilated. More than 75% of homes in our area are under-insulated which causes the heat from your home to shoot right through the roof. Having appropriate insulation and ventilation will keep your home free from ice dams and will keep you much more comfortable in both the winter and the summer. You’ll feel the difference immediately, and you’ll see the benefit in your energy bills too. 

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

What's That Smell in Your Basement?

Most people think that a musty-smelling basement is normal. After all, isn’t that what you would expect from a part of the house that’s underground? The truth is that, while common, that damp odor that’s become expected is actually a sign of something more sinister than smell. 

First, let’s address what it is we’re smelling. Since basements are damper than any other part of the house, they are susceptible to higher humidity. Where there is high humidity, there is also a high chance for mold and mildew to spore. Why is this a problem? In addition to being bad for your home’s health, it’s terrible for yours too. Mold and mildew can bring on asthma and allergies and can make anyone with a respiratory problem feel a lot worse. 

The ideal humidity level for most homes is 50% or lower, but in basements, humidity can often skyrocket to 80%, which is the perfect environment for mold to flourish. If your basement seems extra damp, I highly suggest investing in a dehumidifier that will work to draw the moisture out of the air. You’ll be shocked at how quickly the holding tank on an average-sized unit fills. You may have to dump it daily, but in doing so you’ll be removing moisture that allows mold to grow in the first place.

Once you have rid your basement of extra moisture, it’s time to purify the air. Overly humid areas attract a lot of bacteria, which is what causes the smell in the first place. That bacteria can live in walls and spread into your fabrics, furniture, and storage. By killing the bacteria in the air, you will remove contaminants that not only stink, but can also cause or irritate allergies, asthma, and immune system disorders.

One of the best air dehumidification and purification units I’ve seen is by Aerus.  They produce a system that uses NASA technology to remove pathogens, pollution, contaminants, and even pet dander from the air. Regardless of what brand you go with, be sure to look for a unit that has the EnergyStar seal, and make sure that you pay attention to the capacity of the air filtration as it pertains to your room size. If you have a big space with a lot of moisture, you might want to consider a unit that has a self-draining system to save your back and your patience.

Regardless of your plan of attack, the air quality in your home should be taken seriously. If your kids are coughing or have allergies and you seem to have difficulty breathing at home, it might be worth a call to your local pro for an air quality inspection. The symptoms of a mold allergy are not dissimilar to a common cold or even COVID, so a simple reading of your in-home humidity might be a smart step once other things are ruled out.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.