Basement Ventilation
Basements are some of the most poorly ventilated rooms in a house. They are always cold, dark, musty and because of their location below ground, they are also highly prone to moisture intrusion, high humidity and condensation.
These consistently cool and wet conditions make basements a target for mould and mildew problems as well as musty odours. Therefore, basement ventilation in GreenLight is a service of interest to us.
Without windows or doors, basement air quality is naturally more difficult to enhance but solutions do exist. Basement ventilation systems tackle the tough job of keeping the room buried underground from being damp, dusty, and dangerous.
Why Ventilates Your Basement
If the room is often unattended, primarily used for storage, or effectively unfinished, then there is a good chance you should ventilate your basement.
There are a number of ways that a ventilation system can work. Ventilation can either be “spot” or “general” ventilation, meaning it can be targeted at a specific area or for an entire construct. Basement ventilation is typically general ventilation, its needs to combat all the sources of pollutants around the soil, outdoor air and home etc.
Among general ventilation systems, a common method used is the exhaust method. This form of ventilation sucks out and dispels all unhealthy stale air from a basement while in use. On top of this, the basement ventilation systems provided are solar powered, giving your home a reduced carbon footprint.
What It Fights
Moisture
Moisture in your basement air can be influenced by the outdoor air moisture, first-floor moisture, soil air moisture, and the HVAC systems connected to your house.
You can generally tell if your basement has a high degree of moisture if it smells musky, damp, or just feels more humid than the rest of your home. If you are unsure, take a look at the walls, floors, and corners to check for moisture spots. You can also try to find any condensation on surfaces throughout the basement.
A damp basement can lead to unpleasant smells and climate for mould growth. Moisture is the most common reason you should ventilate your basement, as nearly all homes in all climates are vulnerable to its effects.
Mould
Mould can cause allergic reactions and pose a health hazard to the occupants of a home.
The symptoms of mould can be hard to distinguish from common cold symptoms, so homeowners often don’t realise the extent of their mould problem until it has grown. If anyone in your home has persistent congestion, throat irritation, coughing, or eye itchiness, it could be said mould might be the cause of the problem.
Moisture solutions generally tend to work as mould solutions. It is important not only to clean up the current mould build-up but solve the moisture at the source. If the moisture is not resolved, this issue will keep on reappearing.
Basement ventilation solves both moisture and mould problems at once by dispersing the air carrying them out of your home.
Radon
Radon is a dangerous invisible toxic gas, and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United Kingdom. The gas is released from the decomposition of uranium in soil and rocks, meaning basements are particularly susceptible to it.
Most people are exposed to small amounts of radon all throughout the day, and basements as well as other underground structures are more prone to higher radon levels. Although it is rare to take the uranium out of the soil around the house, you can minimise its effects through proper ventilation.
Basement ventilation systems are an excellent protector against harmful emission, and basement ventilation system is designed to specifically defend against radon as well as minimise its impact.
Ventilating Your Basement
Contact GreenLight 0208 545 7225 today to discuss how we can help keep your basement healthy and protected against common pollutants.