ᐅ How much moisture in a natural cellar is considered "normal"?
Created on: 10 Dec 2018 07:59
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NemoinatorN
Nemoinator10 Dec 2018 07:59Hello everyone,
we have bought a house, built in 1920. The house has a basement under about three-quarters of the floor area. Two of the exterior walls are quite damp. However, I find it difficult to assess whether and how much moisture in a natural basement is considered normal.
I bought a measuring device. In some spots, it shows about 20%. That is probably too high, right?
The two exterior walls face the sidewalk, so digging them up easily is not really an option.
Regards, Alex
we have bought a house, built in 1920. The house has a basement under about three-quarters of the floor area. Two of the exterior walls are quite damp. However, I find it difficult to assess whether and how much moisture in a natural basement is considered normal.
I bought a measuring device. In some spots, it shows about 20%. That is probably too high, right?
The two exterior walls face the sidewalk, so digging them up easily is not really an option.
Regards, Alex
T
Traumfaenger11 Dec 2018 00:10Nemoinator schrieb:
I bought a measuring device. In some spots, it shows about 20%. That’s probably too high, right?What kind of measuring device or method is that supposed to be? I can’t really imagine 20% moisture off the top of my head. For freshly installed screed floors, we usually see values in the single digits, and ready-to-cover levels depending on the type of screed are between 0.3 - 2%. But 20%???
There are different methods to measure moisture. As far as I remember, professional devices start at a price well into the three-digit range. Do you perhaps have a very cheap DIY store device and have fallen for a technical trick?
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Mottenhausen11 Dec 2018 11:19The moisture meter won’t get you any further here:
You know the basement is damp. But how damp exactly, and what does that mean for you?
Now you need to ask yourself:
1. Does the moisture in the basement negatively affect the living spaces above? For example, excessively high uncomfortable humidity, moisture damage to the walls on the ground floor, etc.?
2. Does the moisture in the basement negatively impact the use of the basement itself? For instance, no storage options for cardboard boxes, food, and so on?
If you answer "no" to both questions, then just leave it as is, especially since renovation can be costly. Keeping the basement well ventilated is the only thing you can do.
If you answer "yes" to either question: renovation is needed—excavating and waterproofing, sealing the basement floor from the inside, and so forth. The number on the moisture meter won’t actually answer either of those questions for you.
You know the basement is damp. But how damp exactly, and what does that mean for you?
Now you need to ask yourself:
1. Does the moisture in the basement negatively affect the living spaces above? For example, excessively high uncomfortable humidity, moisture damage to the walls on the ground floor, etc.?
2. Does the moisture in the basement negatively impact the use of the basement itself? For instance, no storage options for cardboard boxes, food, and so on?
If you answer "no" to both questions, then just leave it as is, especially since renovation can be costly. Keeping the basement well ventilated is the only thing you can do.
If you answer "yes" to either question: renovation is needed—excavating and waterproofing, sealing the basement floor from the inside, and so forth. The number on the moisture meter won’t actually answer either of those questions for you.
Well, the exact level of humidity doesn’t really matter.
An old vaulted cellar is always damp.
This is very good for storing wine, potatoes, and apples, but very bad for textiles, cardboard, and anything else that needs to be kept dry.
If you can accept this limitation, then the cellar is not a dealbreaker.
I’m also familiar with the measuring devices the original poster means—20% simply means a damp wall, not wet, but definitely moist.
An old vaulted cellar is always damp.
This is very good for storing wine, potatoes, and apples, but very bad for textiles, cardboard, and anything else that needs to be kept dry.
If you can accept this limitation, then the cellar is not a dealbreaker.
I’m also familiar with the measuring devices the original poster means—20% simply means a damp wall, not wet, but definitely moist.
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Nemoinator12 Dec 2018 16:19Hello,
yes, that’s correct. It’s an inexpensive measuring device. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the subject yet.
I did a test measurement on a wall in the living area, and the value is almost zero there.
I just can’t assess how dangerous this moisture in the basement is. There are, among other things, slight mold spots on the wall. The floor is concrete and dry. The moisture decreases upwards toward the basement ceiling.
yes, that’s correct. It’s an inexpensive measuring device. Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with the subject yet.
I did a test measurement on a wall in the living area, and the value is almost zero there.
I just can’t assess how dangerous this moisture in the basement is. There are, among other things, slight mold spots on the wall. The floor is concrete and dry. The moisture decreases upwards toward the basement ceiling.
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