Finer Living

These days you can use a basement for all sorts of different things.  People are now using their basements for listening to music, playing loud musical instruments and home theaters.  So if this sounds like you you will be wanting to find out how you can adequately soundproof your basements so you don’t end up with complaints from the rest of your family and also your neighbors.
(more…)

You need to think of basement waterproofing of more than just an expense. It is an expense which is very worthwhile and will have you a lot of time, money and stress in the future if you are ever to suffer from a flood or leak of some sort. When researching the topic of basement waterproofing you will come across many options such as a sump pump, French drain, perimeter drain and waterproofing membrane. Keeping your basement dry is very important for a variety of reasons and is something that you should ignore at your peril. This is certainly not one area of basement finishing that you should skip.

As with many things in life if you want to do a job properly then it ultimately pays if you do your research and prepare properly. By doing this you will save time and money in the long run because you don’t need to have it re-done. It might be that you decide you don’t want to have anything to do with this process yourself because you are worried that the job won’t be done correctly.

There are contractors who have expertise in this area and it might be worth it to you to find out who these contractors are so that you can get the best job you can. There are plumber who say that they can carry out all the needed work but if they haven’t any experience in basement waterproofing systems then you might not get the quality of work you expected.

Unfortunately it’s very difficult to find contractors who actually carry out a job as well as they say they will. There are often problems that you simply cannot foresee because you don’t have any experience. It’s all very well to say that you will learn from these mistakes but this doesn’t help you now. No wonder so many people decide they would rather tackle such jobs themselves because then they will know that the job has actually been done and with the correct materials.

A lot of contractors actually go out of business and if you discover a problem with your basement waterproofing system then you might find that they aren’t around to come back and fix it. This is a nightmare for homeowners who then have to fork out for the job to be repaired or they might need to claim their insurance.

Also, some contractors look to screw as much money out of you as possible by buying inferior products only to charge you the highest prices they think they can get away with. Knowing the trade prices of these products is well worth it because then you will know if they are trying to con you or not. If they try and say that a plastic sump or French drain is good quality then you will know they aren’t telling the truth. Sump pumps should be made from cast iron with a good long lasting liner.

Sometimes with situations like waterproofing your basement, being extra cautious is well worth it. It might seem like a belt and braces approach but you really don’t want to have to try and clean up a wet basement if it ever happens to you. Because sump pumps run on electricity you might find that there is a power outage at the same time as your flood so having a battery back-up is probably a wise idea. This will allow the sump to keep working until (hopefully) the electricity comes back on.

Other basement waterproofing possibilities include a rubberized coating that you can apply to the walls and floor of your basement. A primer, base coat and sealer are used and it’s very affordable if you feel that you cannot afford to buy a sump pump. You can also save money by carrying out the work yourself.  Don’t ignore this advice when coming up with basement ideas.

One of the biggest drawbacks to owning a basement is the simple fact that it’s underground and often prone to excess moisture. Ensuring that all pipes have no leaks and making sure there are no cracks in the walls or floor will also help a lot. You don’t want to make things unnecessarily difficult for yourself. However if you are still having difficulties with damp then look to buy a dehumidifier which works by sucking moisture out of the air.

A damp basement is certainly not something that you want to have and as soon as you suspect that there is a problem then you should look for ways to remedy it. Simply hoping that the problem will correct itself will only mean you’ll face problem in the future. This problem will also be much worse than it is now. SO acting fast is prudent. Mold and mildew can quickly appear if you’re not careful and this can have a negative impact on your health and also the fabric of your house.

Whenever you are remodelling any room in your home, always ensure that you’ve thought everything through properly and haven’t missed any important details out. When it comes to remodelling your basement you need to think carefully about your replacement basement window choices. In the past, basement windows were often made from materials such as wood or metal however problems soon arisen in the form or rust and rot. Obviously if a job is worth doing then it’s worth doing properly. Having quality materials means that you won’t need to replace the product as much as if you used poor quality materials. If you have currently go wood or metal basement windows installed then you might be thinking about having them replaced.

If you don’t want to put any thought into your basement replacement window then having a company that specializes in such matters is probably the best option. Just leave it all to them. However if you are the sort of person who likes to understand such matters first then continue reading about replacing basement windows before you go buying anything.

One of the options you have to hand are windows made from vinyl. These make great basement windows for the simple fact that they don’t rust or rot due to moisture that is often a problem in basements. These are modular units so aren’t a problem to install. Basement windows act as good ventilation so are often considered to be very important.

Lighting your basement in an economical way is often very important to people. Basements have an unfortunate quality of being very dark and dismal. However by owning basement windows you will be able to allow some light in which will help brighten up the place. By choosing a frame size and also the correct thickness of glass you will be able to optimise your basement for light.

How your replacement basement window functions should be a very high priority as you might want to be able to use it as a fire escape or the be able to pass some objects through. Sometimes taking things in and out of a basement can be tricky so having access to a window that opens sufficiently is very good to have. Opening the window also allows some great ventilation in which is ideal in the summer when it starts to get a bit hot and humid.

Choosing a basement replacement window which looks good is obviously a consideration for you however it might not necessarily be of a high priority for your basement decorating ideas because you might only be using your basement occasionally. If however you plan on using a basement frequently for your family and friends to hang out in then thinking of the aesthetics is very important. Have a look at all the different basement window options you have and make sure you buy something that works well in terms of functionality, prices and looks.

These are just a few considerations you will have to think about before you have your replacement basement windows installed in your home. It’s very much worth spending a bit of time on as you don’t want to end up with windows that don’t meet your needs. You might otherwise end up having to buy something better instead which costs a lot more in time and hassle. You might decide that it’s worth the money to buy expensive basement windows that way you get what you really need and will last a long time and keep looking great for years to come

Some people will have owned their basement for many years and never thought of using for any other purpose than storing gold junk. Other people will conversely be very keen on making full use of this great under-ground room. However when it comes to decorating your basement, you will need to treat it very differently from other rooms in your house. The main reason you need to do this is because basements are underground whilst other rooms aren’t. Your bedrooms and living rooms will probably be getting plenty of light so you can get away with certain decorating technique you might not be able to in your basement.

Basements as you know are naturally very dark places. If you are lucky enough to have a window in your basement then this will help considerably. However if you have a basement with no access no any natural daylight then this often causes problems. In order to get enough light so that you can carry out your desired tastks, you will need to buy various forms of artificial lighting. These might come in the form of table lamps, floor lamps and wall lights. However you don’t want to make the lighting situation worse but using the wrong paint colour on your basement walls.

You should have been taught at school about how black absorbs lights whilst white reflects light. This lesson is very important when decorating your basement. Because of the scarcity of light in your basement, you will want to make full use of light as you can. This means that you should paint your walls and ceiling a shade of white. This will allow the light to bounce about your room making the fullest use of lighting possible. If you have very dark walls and ceilings, you will notuce that when switching your lights on, there is nowhere near as much light as you might have expected. This can be a bit depressing, especially if you need a good source of light to be able to find things, read a book or do some close-up work. Dark colors just aren’t worth the effort.

Making the most of a bad situation is crucial when it comes to decorating basements. You are at a disadvantage from the get go so don’t make matters worse than they need to be. Painting walls and ceilings dark colours will make your basement much more horrible and depressing than it needs to be. A lot of people associate basements with gloom but they don’t automatically have to be like this. If you decide to paint your basement a dark color anyway, you will find that the need for artificial lighting will be much greater. Not only this, but the extra electricity consumption and replacement light bulbs will make it much harden on your wallet. Trust this advice, you will be amazed at how different a room feels.

There are many books on interior design and they may well talk about basement design ideas. Who knows what advice they give you, however it will probably be they same as the advice above. Of course you might actually want you basement to be dark, for instance you might be using it as a disco. So in this situation, you can paint it red, black, purple and green if you wish. No one will judge you on this color choice. They’ll probably have had too much to drink to notice anyway!

If your basement is currently a very depressing color and you want to change this, you’ll be astounded by the transformation that a couple of coats of white paint will do. Of course, you don’t have to choose brilliant white paint. There are shade of white that have a hint of green, yellow, blue or pink. Think about what you like but choose a shade or two lighter than you might normally think of doing. The reason is that it’s very common to choose a color and then decide it’s too dark. Don’t despair if this happens to you. It’s quite annoying but all you have ot do is mix in some white paint. Just ensure that you have stirred the paint sufficiently otherwise you could end up with an uneven color on your walls.

If you have been living in your home for many years and have been neglecting your basement, you have really been missing out on a very useful room in your home. Families can grow and hobbies can expand so converting your basement is a much more practical and cheaper alternative compared to moving to a new home. Whatever use you have n mind for your basement, whether it’s going to be a wine cellar, home gym or workshop, making sure that you have a really good basement waterproofing system in place is very much advisable.

A major concern with basements is always the moisture content as they are obviously built underground and so more prone to high humidity levels and damp. A good place to start is by contacting companies and contractors in your local area to find out how much a basement waterproofing system will cost and also to compare estimates. Some companies will charge various amounts depending on what they think they can get away with, so comparing quotes will allow you to prevent yourself from being scammed. If you eventually decide to water-proof your basement yourself, then at least you will have had the opportunity to pick these guy’s brains for info and tips.

If you are experiencing damp problems with your basement then you first of all need to check to see where the water is getting in. If it has been raining then you might have a leak somewhere, for instance a crack in the wall. Alternatively you could have problems with a leaking pipe. If your basement is constantly wet then the problem might be caused by condensation.

A very simple and inexpensive method of testing to see whether you have a leak or condensation is to tape 2″ x 12″ piece of plastic onto the wall of your basement. This plastic should be taped securely to a part of the wall where your damp is more prevalent. A few days later you should go and remove the plastic to have a look as to what side the water is one. If the side of the plastic which is facing the room is wet then this is because of condensation. If the dampness is on the wall side then this is likely to be because of a leak.

If you discover that the problem is because of condensation then this won’t cost you as much to fix and is much easier to deal with. By having a dehumidifier and/or ventilation installed you’ll be able to deal with this problem very quickly.

Leaks on the other hand can be caused by a variety of reasons. First of all land which is around your home should be sloping away otherwise water will drain towards it causing damp.

If you have concrete floors or concrete under your flooring you will find that this material can be very porous and is prone to cracking. This allows water to seep into your floors causing condensation, mold and mildew plus horrible smells. This mold can be very hazardous for you health so is something you should deal with.  Don’t leave this out from your basement decorating ideas.

If you’re going to be spending a lot of money and time decorating your basement, making sure that it’s sufficiently waterproof is essential otherwise you can end up having to deal with costly and inconvenient repairs. If you go ahead and have your walls papered and you have nice flooring laid, you could end up having to re-do everything because moisture which travels through the concrete can become trapped and cause all sorts of problems structurally plus it encourages mold.

Basements can be used for a lot more than just storing old junk you can’t be bothered to throw away. They can be used for home gyms, games rooms and even as a living room. So you will obviously want to be warm and comfortable when the weather gets colder outside. Basements can be naturally cold places so installing a basement heating system is essential.

What is The Best Way to Heat a Basement?

This is a very difficult question to answer simply because you have many basement heating options. One way is the install a fireplace if this is suitable. However if you don’t already have a functional chimney flue then installing one can be expensive and difficult. You then have the option of using a portable heater such as an electric heater, ceramic heater, fan heater, baseboard heater or propane space heater.

Electric heaters which are heavy duty are ideal for larger basements and they can easily heat the room to a toasty 100F. They are very economical and easy to use. Inside the heater is an element which heats the oil that then heats the air in your basement. Because there aren’t any elements exposed you don’t have to worry about the safety aspects if your child or pet touched it.

Ceramic heaters have a fan inside which pushes hot air created by a ceramic heating element. For larger areas you can buy a ceramic heater which has two heating elements and a grill which oscillates. They also come with other features such as an air filter, temperature sensor, tip-over switch and anti-freezing.

Baseboard heaters have heating elements in them that warms air when it passes through. Cold air is pulled down and heated whilst warm air rises up. They don’t take up very much space and don’t need any ductwork. They are very simple and easy to install and work well in many types of basement.

If you have a small basement of about 300 square feet, a propane gas heater can work very well. The good thing about them is that they don’t require ductwork or electrical installation.

Underfloor heating has also gained popularity in recent years because it gives a constant and even heat throughout the room. Instead of the heat coming just from just one part of the room, the heat comes through the floor and radiates throughout the room. It also doesn’t make any sound so is ideal if you are looking to turn your basement into a quiet retreat. It also helps give your room a more minimal look simply because you cannot see it, which means you can dispense with bulky ugly heaters. The only real downside of radiant floor heating is the expense and hassle of having it installed as part of your basement ideas.

As you can see you have a great deal of choice when it comes to heating your basement and it all really depends on how much money your have to spend and how much work you want to have done. Although some may argue that under-floor heating is best for heating your basement, it does require a lot of work to have installed so it best to be done whilst you are renovating your basement. You therefore might be better off looking at the other options. Have a look around your local DIY store and see which ones you like the look of; both in terms of appearance and price

If you have felt the need to decorate your basement in order to make your home more usable, there are a number of things you have to think about including insulation, humidity, flooring and also the ceiling. The ceiling of your basement may not be the main focus but it’s something that you need to decorate all the same. Paying attention to your ceiling will improve the overall décor and make it more complete. This article will help you in the right direction when thinking about your basement’s ceiling.

Suspended Ceiling – When you have your basement converted you will find that it’s only partly finished. This means you will probably have wires and studs showing along with the underneath of your floorboards of the room above showing. The simplest option you have is to fit a suspended ceiling. They are very simple to install and you will find that it gives your basement an instantly more homely feel. Another benefit is the fact that you can easily access any wiring or pipes if need be. Basically a suspended ceiling is made up of ceiling tiles that are attached to a metal grid which suspends from the floor or ceiling joists. The reason they are very easy to install is because the metal framing is very light which makes it easy to handle. The only real drawback is that it tends to give your basement a somewhat industrial or office look.  There many more ceiling ideas too.

Drywall - Drywall is a great way to install a ceiling in your basement. It’s not as light as a suspended wall so is more difficult to install however it is also very cheap. So if you do accidentally break a sheet, don’t worry too much as it shouldn’t break the bank. The main benefit of drywall is the professional appearance if installed by someone who knows what they are doing. You can easily find the instructions for installing dry wall in DIY books and online. If you aren’t into doing this yourself then you should hire a professional. Once the drywall is installed you can paint it any color you wish.

Paint - If you have installed drywall or some other type of ceiling you will want to give it a lick of paint. Choosing your paint carefully is very wise because it can have a real impact on the whole room. If you choose a very dark color it will make the basement very dark. This probably isn’t something you want because basements tend to have either no or limited natural light. By choosing a white or off-white shade you’ll make your basement feel a lot bigger and brighter.

Acoustic Ceiling Tiles – These tiles are very easy to cut and because they are fairly small you can easily handle them and put them in place. You simply staple them to the furring strips, however you need to ensure that pipes etc are moved so that you can achieve a flat ceiling.

Mirrors - Installing mirrors in your basement ceiling can either look fantastic or it can look really trashy. If you are very clever about it and only use mirrored tiles in a subtle way, you can easily give your basement the appearance of being larger than it really is. This is a great solution for very small basements and is a very effective optical illusion. Just make sure that your ceiling isn’t so low that you could accidentally smash the mirrors.

Lighting - Because basements are generally very dark places, having lighting installed is a must. Using lights to illuminate your basement ceiling can create a very atmospheric look. This can be achieved either by using floor lamps which have the lighting pointing up to the ceiling or you can use uplighters which are attached to the walls. Lighting is not only practical but it’s also fun so be creative with it.

Ceiling Art – If you have ever been to the Sistine Chapel you may have felt inspired to create some of your own ceiling art. Obviously you can’t ever match the genius of Michelangelo but you can have a little fun by painting a mural. Hiring a local artist won’t cost as much as may think.

Talking to local builders will also give you an idea of what is possible in terms of basement decorating ideas.  The above ideas are just a fraction of what you could achieve in your own basement. Have a think over all the different basement ceiling ideas you have and read plenty of books on the subject.

It comes a time for most home owners to decide whether they should sell up and move to a larger home or extend up, down or outwards. Some of these projects can run into thousands of dollars but one of the simplest ways to make your home more usable is simply to convert the basement. Basements are usually pretty horrible cold and dark places that you wouldn’t want to spend much time in. However if you spend a bit of time and thought you can easily create a very comfortable and inviting room.

By converting and finishing your basement you aren’t just creating a room you and your family can make use of now; you are also helping to increase the value of your home when you go to sell it. Realtors all agree that one of the best things you can do to make your home more desirable is to finish the basement. The only other rooms that are more important in terms of décor and potential future buyers are your kitchen and bathroom.

When it comes to finishing off your basement, choosing a floor covering is an important step that shouldn’t be overlooked. Although concrete can work really well and can be acid etched to make it look amazing, there are other options available to you if you so desire. Carpeting is a very popular choice within the home as it is warm and cosy, however with a basement you may want to choose a flooring type which is water resistant. Even if you have been really careful to insulate and seal your basement, there is still the potential for flooding or damp setting in. In these circumstances you would want basement flooring which is water proof such as ceramic, rubber, marble or engineered hardwood.

Although hardwood flooring looks really beautiful, lasts for almost ever and even improves with age, you probably will want to avoid installing it in your basement because of moisture. Because most basements have a problem with moisture content you will find that hardwood can warp. If you have your heart set on hardwood, by all means have it installed, however you should install a vapor guard under the floor. To do this you should lay a high density polyethylene sheet which has dimples that are 3/8″ tall. This will create a gap of air that traps moisture between the concrete and your sheeting preventing moisture from rising up into your hardwood flooring.

An alternative to real hardwood flooring is engineered flooring. This is made up of a few layers of hardwood with high density fibreboard core. Due to the fact that it’s made up of layers, the flooring is more resilient against moisture. Another benefit to engineered flooring is that it’s thinner, allowing you to increase the amount of insulation you install. Don’t worry about the appearance of engineered floors either because they have a top layer of real hardwood so no-one will ever guess that it’s not solid wood.

Concrete flooring in basements is probably the most common type of basement flooring. Concrete is ideal if you abuse your basement by storing lot of stuff down there, using it as a workshop and generally create a lot of traffic. You might think that its only purpose is functional and that you couldn’t possibly live with it on an everyday basis whilst watching TV, reading a book or playing snooker. The truth is that concrete flooring can be very plain and dull looking, but it can also look amazing if acid etched. So if you discounted concrete before, think again, you might find yourself surprised.

Ceramic Tiles are ideal if you really don’t like the idea of concrete, and just like concrete, ceramic tiles can withstand a lot of abuse and traffic. It’s very easy to clean as you only need a broom and a wet mop. If you are using your basement as a utility room to house a clothes washing machine, ceramic tiles will be able to cope with moisture and any flooding that could occur. You will find that high moisture is a problem in basements and if you haven’t properly insulated your basement or use a dehumidifier you could be upset by seeing your floor become damaged. Before buying your floor tiles it’s always a good idea to ask if they are suitable for basements just to be on the safe side.

Rubber flooring is great if you’re looking for something which is cheap, functional but also looks great and comes in a variety of colors. Because they are waterproof, you don’t have to concern yourself about mold and mildew. Another interesting benefit is the fact that it’s also great for sound insulation so if you like to make a lot of noise, this will help prevent sound from travelling about the rest of your home. If noise is an issue in your basement, for instance you might be using a lot of heavy machinery, you can increase sound insulation by installing acoustic insulating materials in your walls and ceiling.  Alternatively if you want t a home gym in your basement, rubber flooring is great for this because it is a shock absorber.

Although carpeting is not the best basement flooring choice if you plan on storing lots of boxes or working with heavy machinery, you might really want carpeting if you plan on using your basement as a living area. The main problem with carpeting in your basement is the moisture content and mold. If you have carpeting installed, make sure that your basement is well insulated and has a dehumidifier on to keep humidity levels down.

Whatever basement flooring option you choose you should always ensure that you have prepared you basement correctly. You need to repair any cracks in the walls and floors, install insulation and use a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels normal. If you don’t prepare you basement correctly you could end up with serious mold problems and damaged flooring. You really want to prevent this happening in the first place because rectifying the problems can cost a lot more stress and money in the long run.  So if you’re looking basement ideas, then hopefully these tips on basement flooring ideas are good for you.

If you are one of the many homeowners who go down to their basements only to find horrible mold and mildew on your flooring and walls, don’t worry. There are plenty of things you can do to rectify the problem.

Mold on Concrete

The mold that appears on concrete can be in different forms. Because basements are underground they tend to get a lot of moisture and this does not help because concrete is very porous. Normally you’d expect to find your concrete foundations have a moisture barrier fitted. However this barrier can become old and damaged or may simply have not been fitted properly. So many trades-people simply don’t care about doing a good job and will use materials that are either not good enough or they do spend the time needed to install it. Of course, you only find out there is a problem some months down the line.

If you live somewhere arid such as Nevada or Southern California you probably don’t have a moisture barrier installed because damp is not normally a problem. However if you suffer from a sudden down pour or humid weather, this can easily cause mold to develop in your basement concrete flooring and walls.

You may think you don’t have any concrete flooring installed in your basement, however chances are that you have it either underneath other types of flooring such as carpeting and tiles. It goes without saying that if your concrete has mold, you need to see about removing it.

If the mold on your concrete is only a small amount then simply mixing up four parts water to one part bleach should be enough for the cleaning. However some experts recommend you avoid using bleach because of associated health problems and the fact that it doesn’t penetrate into the concrete as well. It also only kills the visible part of the mold and not the roots. It’s very important that you kill the mold roots (mycelium) to prevent further spreading. You certainly don’t want to have to deal with the problem again in just a few months!

Instead you should use one of the formulated products designed to remove mold such as BioZap Mold and Mildew Cleaner and Remover. Simply use a scrubbing brush to clean the mold off making sure that you wear a pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin from the bleach. You should also be careful that you don’t splash the bleach about your basement because it can remove the color from materials you don’t want it to.

If you find any cracks it’s very important to seal them up with a waterproofing compound to prevent any more water from seeping through.

For More Problematic Mold

If your mold problem is more widespread you might find that scrubbing with diluted bleach isn’t enough. Mold on your concrete can by symptomatic of a larger more serious problem with the structure of your home. It could be that there are cracks in your walls which are letting moisture into your basement.

If this is the case you need to properly waterproof your basement. There are products available to seal up these cracks and the compound comes with instructions so you should be able to do it yourself if you are that way inclined.

Ask a Professional

Sometimes with this sort of thing you should always err on the side of caution and call a professional builder who will be able to assess your basement and determine where water is coming in and causing your mold.

Any flooring you have installed over your concrete will need to be lifted up so that you can see the concrete underneath. You can tackle this job yourself as long as you are well protected. Mold can be pretty nasty stuff so you want to make sure that it doesn’t spread to other rooms in your house. You should also wear gloves, mask, goggles and overalls. Ventilation is extremely important so if you’re in the basement you should see about having a ventilation system fitted.

Once you have removed the flooring from your concrete and cleaned the concrete, you will need to have a new layer of concrete spread over. If you are brave enough you can do this yourself or you can have a contractor in. The new layer should be a minimum of one inch thick and have an appropriate amount of waterproofing compound mixed in. This will make your concrete completely waterproof and prevent any more problems in the foreseeable future.

Because mold is very bad for your health, it is strongly advisable to have the mold levels checked in the rest of your home. You can either buy a DIY mold testing kit and do it yourself, or you can try to locate a Certified Mold Inspector in your area.

If you have a basement and are worried about damp and mold one of the best things you can do is buy a basement dehumidifier. The reason you would want to buy one is because having a wet basement can cause all sorts of problems to your home, your furniture and even your health. It’s shocking to think that the mold in your basement can cause problems with your respiratory system and will have terrible effects on members of your family who already have problems with allergies. A basement dehumidifier will deal with this excess water.

Condensation happens when water in the air meets cold air which is in your basement. When water condenses on your walls or other surfaces, the result is a wet basement. This problem tends to happen in spring and summer so it’s something you want to attend before you have any trouble. Fixing a wet basement is a case of using both insulation and a dehumidifier.

How to Buy a Basement Dehumidifier

First of all there are a wide range of basement dehumidifiers to choose from and they are not all produced the same. It’s important that you do plenty of research to find out what is the best basement dehumidifier for you. Because basements come in all different sizes this means that basement dehumidifiers come in different sizes. Strangely enough, the larger units use up less energy because the remove moisture from the air much quicker and so don’t need to be left running all the time. Small units have to be on all the time in order to achieve the same results. If you have a very large basement which is one single room you can easily buy a dehumidifier to deal with this.

Recommended Basement Dehumidifiers

Soleus Air CFM-40 E 40-Pint Dehumidifier with Humidistat	Soleus Air DP1-70-03, 70 Pint Portable Energy Star Dehumidifier, White
Santa Fe Advance Energy Star Low Temp Basement Dehumidifier	DeLonghi DE650P 65-Pint Dehumidifier with Pump
Soleus Air CFM-40E Dehumidifier – 40 Pint	LG 45 Pint Portable Dehumidifier LHD459EL

Because humidifiers are designed to extract moisture from the air, you need to understand that this water then has to be emptied out. This means you need to work out what the best drainage system is for you. If you don’t empty out the water on a regular basis, the dehumidifier will not be able to do its job. Large dehumidifiers can hold a lot more water but the problem with this is that the bucket can end up being quite heavy if you’re not emptying it out enough. Dehumidifiers can hold anywhere between 35 and 135 pints of water. Most units have warning lights to indicate that it is full and this allows you to easily see at a glance if there is a problem. Alternatively you can have the water drained out into a sink, floor drain or sump so you don’t have to worry about emptying the water. If you are using a hose, avoid having one which is too long as you could easily trip over it.

You will notice that dehumidifier specifications talk about temperature. This relates to the temperature of your room. Basically if you are operating it in a basement which is cold for much of the time, you will need to buy a dehumidifier which can operate at low temperatures.

They can also have a function which defrosts the dehumidifier if required. If you live in a part of the world which suffers from deep frost, this can cause frost to form around the coils of your dehumidifier. When this happens the unit cannot function as intended and the compressor will cycle on and off without removing moisture from the air. You can either deal with this problem by switching the machine off to allow it to defrost or you can buy one which has an antifrost sensor which turns the machine off and back on for you automatically.

Every now and again you should ensure that the coils are cleaned so that the dehumidifier can function properly. Make sure you keep the unit away from dust and smoke and only keep it running if there is a problem with high humidity.

How much you spend on your basement dehumidifier depends greatly on your needs, the size of your basement, quality and how much water it can hold. If you go for a recognizable brand you will pay more than if you bought one from a company no one has ever heard of before. Read through the specifications and ask advice from the sales person if you don’t understand. Quite often the sales info provided is quite technical and isn’t written with a regular consumer in mind.

Where to Place Your Basement Dehumidifier

Chances are, the dehumidifier you plan on buying will have a top-mounted air discharge so that you can place is against a wall. If this is not the case you will have to make sure you place it away from the walls and also any furniture, allowing the air to circulate properly.

When running your basement dehumidifier, make sure that you keep doors and windows (if you have any) closed. This will improve the functionality and efficiency. Always read the manufacturers instruction, especially the warnings about electricity. Because dehumidifiers are designed to extract water from the air, remember that water and electricity is a bad combination.

In order to get the most out of your basement dehumidifier, you will also want to ensure that your basement has plenty of insulation. You should do this by insulating walls, floors, ceilings and water pipes.