Getting rid of basement dampness.....?

menagerie mama

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I have to move a bunch of stuff into the basement for about a year, and the basement is pretty "basement smelling" and damp. There are no water leaks but it's just a regular old basement and it gets mildew-y I'm sure. What tricks or products (besides a dehumidifier) do you use to keep your basement dry? I have heard of Damp-Rid, and I was going to try that, but do you have any other suggestions? I am putting the stuff on pallets to keep the air flow underneath and just in case it does leak water down there. Thanks!
 

lunasmom

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I'm interested too...we have the same type of basement you're describing (so I can already smell the dampness).

However since we're renting the home I don't want to go out and buy a dehumidifier for $200. I would like to get something a little less.
 

gingersmom

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I tried the Damp Rid products, and they work, but not fast enough and they get messy.

I am a renter also, but thought that my things were worth protecting from mildew, as I had no choice but to use the basement for storage.

I bought a reconditioned dehumidifyer on eBay for $110 including shipping, and it has been a lifesaver - or at the least, a "stuff saver." It has been worth every single penny.

I will soon be moving and won't need it anymore, as the new place has a VERY dry basement. So I could look into cost for shipping and let you have it at a reasonable price!

PM me if you're interested.
 

liza24

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wal-mart sells decent sized ones for under $100, as does Lowes and discount chains like Big Lots and things like that. check around. if you want cheap , go off name brand.
 

noludoru

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We have three dehumidifiers in our basement.. they are wal-mart ones, and after 6 years are still going strong. They get out buckets of water each week. My dad ended up hooking one up with a pipe to empty out into the shower down there, it got so much water...
 
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menagerie mama

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Originally Posted by GingersMom

I tried the Damp Rid products, and they work, but not fast enough and they get messy.

I am a renter also, but thought that my things were worth protecting from mildew, as I had no choice but to use the basement for storage.

I bought a reconditioned dehumidifyer on eBay for $110 including shipping, and it has been a lifesaver - or at the least, a "stuff saver." It has been worth every single penny.

I will soon be moving and won't need it anymore, as the new place has a VERY dry basement. So I could look into cost for shipping and let you have it at a reasonable price!

PM me if you're interested.
Is this one better than one from the store? If so, I may be interested!!
 

gailc

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A couple of years ago I bought a dehumidifer. I got it from Home Deot-a LG brand with two speeds, 2 running cycles and I can set my humidit level too.
I have my litter boxes in the basement and as you know with Wisconsin's humid summers......

Anyhow it will make a difference. Also you can look for I think they are called volcanic rocks they are in a mesh bag and they are for odor control too.

Just remember that your electric bill will increase with the dehumidifer running.
 

gingersmom

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Originally Posted by menagerie mama

Is this one better than one from the store? If so, I may be interested!!
I think it is a Delonghi (sp) but I'm not home right now - I'll have to check. It is a larger bucket capacity, and you can adjust the humidity levels down as low as 35%, two power levels, the running times (continuous, 4 hours on/4 hours off or 2 hours on/2hours off) plus it can be connected by hose for a continuous dump.

The model I got goes for about $180-200 brand new, and it works GREAT. I don't know if it is better than one from Walmart, though, as I didn't do any comparisons, I just bought the one and started it up right away.
 
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