condensation in basement for 1 year old house. a pail a day is it normal?

Question

Have been using dehumidifier to remove condensation from unfinished basement for a new house for a year now. still get one pail of water (1.5 Gallon a day) from the dehumidifier. Is this normal? should I contact the builder? pls help.

Answer 1

If you don't want condensation, turn the machine off. If you don't want a damp basement, turn the dehumidifier on. It is a basement. You will always have water underground. It is normal and nothing to be concerned about.

Answer 2

It almost sounds like the builder forgot to tar the outside walls of the basement. Either that or you're in a high water table are and the floor is damp all the time. Take a shovel and dig a hole beside your basement wall being careful not to scar it as you dig. There should be tar or some kind of waterproofing barrier not very far down. Like I mean inches down, not even a foot. If not, call your builder and have him check AND show you the barrier.

Answer 3

The water from your dehumidifier comes from the air. You are probably not in a dry climate. Your builder would not be liable for anything unless there is a leak coming in and that would depend on the circumstances if they would be responsible then. Basements are cool and damp it is that simple. Better ventilation may help.

Answer 4

Such moisture is not unusual for a new basement, especially if it was made of poured concrete as opposed to concrete block. There are hundreds and hundreds of gallons of water used to prepare the concrete poured to make the basement.

While it may LOOK dry and feel dry to the touch, that water has to evaporate slowly somewhere. It's not going to evaporate to the exterior because the exterior is mostly covered with ground, so it slowly dissipates inward.

My house took almost three years to dry out in this fashion, until the water had finally all left the concrete. Do remember that the same applies to your basement floor.

Answer 5

i would contact the builder. but it really depends on the water table in your area and amount of average humidity in your area. there simple ways to solve the problem, such as sealing the concrete walls, and your windows may be allowing excess water moisture in. if there is nothing your builder will do about it, then just be greatful that you have a dehumidifier. (also if you do not want to worry about draining the dehumitifier daily than run a hose directly to your sump pump or drainage area.)

Answer 6

that is perfictly normal it just means that you have a lot of water vapor in your basement and the dehumidifier is doing it's job properly if you were to finish the walls if they are brick that is with some sort of protective coating to prevent water from seeping then that will help it out some

Answer 7

Seal basement floor.