Why Do I Need a Dehumidifier If I Already Have a Vapor Barrier?

Fully waterproofing your Bismarck home’s basement if you already have other waterproofing solutions might seem a bit absurd. However, every waterproofing solution offered by professionals serves a very specific purpose, even if some of those solutions seem to overlap. Dehumidifiers and vapor barriers are two of those solutions that seem to tackle the same exact problem in a foundation. Both are meant to lower the humidity levels of a basement, so it’s understandable if you don’t see the reason for having both in your foundation. That said, there’s a reason professionals recommend getting a dehumidifier, even if you already have a vapor barrier. 

Basement waterproofing professionals recommend vapor barriers to homeowners to stop water vapor from seeping into the basement through the walls. However, this isn’t the only way that moisture can get into the basement. If any pipes in the basement burst or if any water from upstairs makes its way into the area below, then the humidity levels will rise. Once the humidity levels rise, there’s nothing the vapor barrier can do to get rid of it. The vapor barrier may prevent water vapor from entering the space, but it’s the dehumidifier that gets rid of it completely. 

With something as important as your foundation, you want to make sure that all your bases are covered. All the waterproofing solutions you can have installed in a basement are there for a reason, and they are all meant to protect your foundation from water damage. You may see extra waterproofing solutions as a waste of time, but the contrary is a lot worse. A wet basement does nothing but drain your money, since there’s always something that’s structurally failing when water is involved.