Moisture in the Basement? Don’t Let It Linger!

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When it comes to water leakage and excess moisture, there is one area in the home that tends to reign above the rest: the basement. This is especially true in the spring here in MidCoast Maine, when melting snow and rain storms can cause water to accumulate around a home’s foundation. We all sure know all about rainy Maine springs this year.

Basement moisture is a serious issue which can wreak major havoc on your entire home; so if you notice excess humidity in your basement, it’s important to act as quickly as possible. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to address water issues and keep unwanted moisture out.

The Problem with Basement Moisture

Even if you don’t venture into your basement often, this key area has a major influence on the air quality and structural integrity of the rest of your home. A moisture-ridden basement offers exactly the dark and damp environment that mold and mildew need to multiply. Mold and mildew, in turn, release harmful allergens into the air, which rise through tiny holes and cracks into the rest of your home. Meanwhile, moisture, mold, and mildew can also cause building materials like wood, concrete, drywall, and insulation to deteriorate.

Signs of Excess Moisture in Your Basement

Wondering if excess moisture is seeping into your basement? Many moisture related basement issues are amplified during the spring, so now is the perfect time to watch for these signs:

  • Musty odors or damp smells

  • Visible mold or mildew

  • Water stains on floors & walls

  • Condensation on walls & windows

  • Dry rot on wood surfaces

How to Keep Moisture Out of Your Basement

To keep you and your family safe from the hazards that basement moisture poses — including unhealthy indoor air quality — it’s important to target water related issues at the source. At Evergreen Home Performance, we recommend a comprehensive approach including drainage, sealing of foundation cracks, and basement encapsulation.

Drainage

The drainage process draws excess water out of the basement and prepares it for additional upgrades like encapsulation. Depending on your particular needs, our team may build a trench around the foundation of your home or install sump pump to handle bulk water. We frequently install lightweight, flexible mats to channel water effectively.

Sealing Cracks

In addition to removing existing water, it’s important to target areas where outside water can seep in. Comprehensive sealing in the basement area can eliminate leaks and cracks in the foundation.

Encapsulation

Once existing water is under control and any air leaks are sealed, we recommend basement encapsulation to prevent future moisture infiltration. The encapsulation process involves installing a reinforced vapor barrier along the foundation floor and walls, and then securing this barrier in place using water resistant spray foam insulation.

Worried About Basement Moisture in Your Maine Home? Talk to Evergreen

If you’re worried about basement moisture and are looking for an expert in basement solutions, get in touch with the team at Evergreen Home Performance. We specialize in improving Maine homes from the ground up, so our customers can experience better comfort, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency year-round. It all starts with a free consult, where you can discuss your basement moisture issues with a home expert.

Have moisture in your basement? Evergreen can help. Call 207-594-2244 or contact us to schedule a free consult!

Wondering why there is water in your basement?

Schedule a free consult to find out. 207-594-2244

Evergreen is a terrific company to deal with. Polite and efficient crews, meeting deadlines and major reduction in our heat bills. They corrected a lot of issues we suffered from doing work with a shoddy building contractor. We would recommend them to anyone.

Mary Carey

I cant say enough about this company and the benefits that it created for our family. They are very professional and have effectively re-insulated our home. The heating bill proves the point.

Bob O.

Springvale

Greetings one and all! I am writing to express my gratitude to all involved in my insulation project.  From start to finish, I appreciate the universal theme which was maintained by each and every one of you, to ensure that my home was insulated and protected from freezing pipes as if it was your home. Andrea, thanks for helping me navigate my way to the project. Nate, thanks for the thorough initial assessment and the time you took to explain this project to me, step by step. Brian, thanks for setting up my project - so happy

Michele

My experience with Evergreen was excellent. From their thorough and thoughtful initial consultation to their detailed post-work visit, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. Their workmanship was top notch. Our home is now much warmer and more efficient. I highly recommend their services!

Douglas R.

Edgecomb

Update 12/2018: Evergreen has completed Phase II of my house (insulating and installing air/moisture barrier on exterior walls, replacing old windows) and now that heating season is upon us, the difference is astonishing. The house is tight as a drum and so easy to keep warm. Worth every penny. Thank you all! Working with Evergreen was a positive experience from start (no charge energy audit) to finish (a MUCH more comfortable home). Brian Robinson spent a lot of time with me on the audit, explaining clearly what he was finding in my ca.

Rebekah W.

Rockport

We couldn't be more pleased with the easy, professional, high-value service from Evergreen. Having purchased an older home that had been in our family for generations, we needed multiple upgrades, including insulation throughout. Evergreen insulated our attic with blown-in cellulose, built a new, super-insulated attic hatch, sealed off the old one (which was just a piece of plywood in a closet ceiling), and also talked us through our best options to upgrade our heating system given the plans we have to add onto the house.

Tom G.

South Thomaston

Working with Brian and with Nate and the rest of the crew was a pleasure. They made everything very easy and understandable. This was a major renovation and they were always at the ready with a lot of information. We had an extensive renovation on the basement which was a dirt basement and it came out beautifully. We can already tell from all of the insulation work what a difference it's made in sound and temperature. Brian worked with me on the rebates that are available when you do this kind of work. I would highly recommend this company to…

Valerie L.

Rockland

I am very pleased with my experience with Evergreen Home Performance. I met several times with Richard Burbank and he was very detailed in his explanations to all of my questions. He provided me with several options for improving the insulation to our home. The team of installers were very professional and respectful of our home. They did a great job of cleaning up every day after the days work and they were also very responsive to all my questions as well as we collaborated to get our home better insulated. It was a pleasure to work with Richard and…

Brian C.

Falmouth

They were highly recommended. I found them to be very knowledgeable and so helpful, with practical ideas. Despite my not living within their service area, they were generous with their knowledge, describing the usual solutions to correct leaks in my basement, and what the result is likely to be by following path A, B or C, and why. I was discouraged. Talking with Evergreen helped me see that my basement problems are far from insurmountable and really, fairly common in 100-year old homes. There are proven solutions.

Rosalind J

Damariscotta

A thorough inspection of our (older) house and its energy needs. Competent and personable work crew.

Jacob Watson

From beginning to end – that is from the moment Justin McEdward stepped into our home to assess our energy conservation needs until the crew left – the Evergreen Home Performance process went absolutely smoothly. Justin made a thorough inspection and took pictures with an infrared camera. His proposal described the scope of work in detail, and he explained what we could expect the proposed work to accomplish. Our proposal was forthcoming within a couple of days, and Justin was available to discuss it and answer questions.

Adrienne Harkavy

The Evergreen Team did a fabulous job and was very tuned and responsive to the particular needs we had. The job was done right on budget and we are thrilled with the improved warmth and energy efficiency.

Ira M.

Rockland

I would recommend Evergreen wholeheartedly because of their professionalism, their follow through, and thoughtful project planning.

Jennifer A

Evergreen has a professional and reliable team of people who do excellent work. If you want the best of the best in the area, select Evergreen to accomplish your insulation needs.

Mary E.

St. George

The Evergreen crew who installed insulation in my attic were fantastic! They were very professional, worked exceedingly hard, and they did an excellent job. They were very pleasant and friendly to be around. They cleaned up beautifully after each work day, and left my home in great shape on when they walked out the door for the last time. I can't believe they were able to accomplish all that they did with heat soaring into the 80s and 90s. It was pretty unbearable up there! They have my highest praise and my gratitude.

Cynthia F.

South Portland

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