June 30, 2021, 6:46 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
If you want to avoid mold and musty odors in the basement, open doors and windows to ventilate. However, in summer, this can sometimes let moisture into the rooms. So, what’s the right way to do it?
The basement smells of stale air. Warm summer days are the perfect opportunity to open doors and windows and properly ventilate the basement, right? But improper ventilation in the summer can cause the basement to sweat. In the worst case, mold can form. Therefore, timing is crucial when ventilating.
Overview
Why is it important to ventilate the basement properly in summer?
Warm air holds more moisture than cool air, explains the Haus & Grund Hessen association. If you let warm, humid air from outside in during the summer, the moisture can settle on cool basement walls. The experts advise: If the room temperature is below 12 degrees Celsius, basement windows should remain closed from May to September, especially on hot and humid days.
Also interesting: Prevent mold with a hygrometer
When should you ventilate the basement?
If the basement rooms are occupied, they should be ventilated on cool nights and cooler days. According to the association, cool rainy days are also suitable for ventilation—because rain air is less humid than warm air. A climate measuring device can provide information about temperature and humidity.
On muggy, hot midsummer days, ventilating allows warm, humid air to enter, according to the testing organization Dekra. The water condenses on the cooler masonry. The moisture here creates optimal growth conditions for mold. Therefore, Dekra advises: Ventilate only between late evening and early morning.
For the same reason, you should not dry damp laundry in the basement on hot days, explains Bernd Glassl from the Industrial Association for Personal Care and Detergents. This also increases humidity in the cool rooms, and mold formation is a threat.
Also interesting: What can you store in the basement?
Bottle trick helps with ventilation
When ventilating, it’s important that the outside air is drier than the air in the basement. You can easily check this with a glass bottle. If you place the bottle, which has been stored in the basement, outside, it may fog up. If this happens, you should not ventilate the basement, as the outside air is too humid.
Regularly Ventilate the Basement Even in Winter
What You Can Do About a Damp Basement
That’s why you shouldn’t place furniture directly against the basement wall.
5 tips for proper basement ventilation
Proper ventilation in the basement can prevent mold growth. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- On hot days, ventilate in the morning or evening when it’s not yet so hot.
- On cool days, ventilate the basement several times a day for about ten minutes each time.
- Ventilation is especially important if laundry is washed or dried in the basement.
- Do not place furniture, such as large cabinets, directly against the exterior wall in the basement. This allows better air circulation.
- Even in winter, the basement should not cool down completely. It’s better to keep it slightly tempered and ventilate daily.
with material from dpa