Does basement humidity affect upstairs living space humidity of house?

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by DryDog

Air infiltration from outdoors is the next issue the leads to excess moisture in your house. You want to seal cracks and openings in your walls, doors, and windows. Check your sill plate (board that sits on top of the concrete basement wall) and band joists (board that forms the wall at the end on your floor joists) for cracks and openings.

I think that it depends on the house. Newer houses that are sealed have more problems with mold than older houses that allow air to pass through. It also depends on whether you have AC which also removes humidity. If you do nto have AC you are better off having air infiltration (including open windows) to reduce the likelihood of mold.

We blow the cool air from the basement up into our house to cool it on hot days. It works well and noticably cools 2-3 rooms. It is also noticeably less humid in the rooms where the air is cooler.

This may be because as I understand it, humidity levels are relative. In other words 65% humidity is air that is holding 65% of the moisture that it can hold without condensing. Hot air holds more moisture than cold air. Thus cold air at 75% humidity is drier than hot air at 65% humidity. Because hot air can hold higher levels of water vapor without condensing. On the other hand, I cannot remember where I learned this, so maybe it is wrong.

[Helena Cevallos]

What percentage of humidity is good for a basemnent? do I need to move the dehumidifier to different locations in the basement (1,000 square feet)?

[kidrobbo]

the moisture in my basement is warping my brand new wood floors and my old ones all on the upper floors,I have a Humidifier in the basment on 24hrs and change the water every other day still no help I wonder if just getting another one will solve the problem?

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by kidrobbo

...I have a Humidifier in the basment on 24hrs...

Problem solved-
Use a DE-humidifier.

[Trackwatch]

Originally Posted by K'ledgeBldr

Problem solved-
Use a DE-humidifier.

I was thinking they misspoke but they also said "change" the water.

On a similar note; Coming from an area with high humidity people that speak of swamp coolers makes me cringe.

[hh12831]

I want to dehumidify a 2700 sq ft basement unfinished. 9 ft ceilings. 2009 build. current rh is 62%. ranch, upstairs rh is 55%
I was looking at a a aprilaire 1850f. I see it claims 95 pints a day and 230 cfm. and 2200-2500 sq ft. But i also see very inexpensive units at 70 pints and 194 cfm. claiming 1400 sq ft. is the 1000.00 unit that much better? would i be ok with a 200.00 unit?

[nayleen66]

We bought a doublewide on a foundation and the basement is damp. When a doublewide is put on foundation and ready to live in the companys usually have a black tarp/plastic under the home along with the insulation. I would like to know, living upstairs I think the dampness is in our carpet due to it always feeling damp. I was wondering if I bring a dehumidifier up from the basement and I run it will it pull excess water out of the carpet? My carpet always seems to be damp. I am wondering what I should do? I am so tired of when I go to bed in the pm that our sheets and blankets feel damp. Any suggestions for me? I would love any help you can give me.