For most summer residents and suburban residents, dampness in the cellar is a huge problem. The reason for the increase in humidity is considered to be poorly made heat or waterproofing. Another reason may be the lack of a ventilation system.

Whatever the reason, a wet basement is not suitable for storing food in it. Therefore, moisture must be removed and condensation must be disposed of. Today we will tell you about how to dry the cellar, disinfect it and prepare it for laying the harvest.

How to dry a cellar

For drying, choose a dry sunny day. First of all, we take out all the products remaining there, boxes from the room, you also need to remove the shelves, disassemble the racks, pallets. Next, you need to sweep out all the debris and sand. If there is water, it must be pumped out.

All available structures are cleaned with hot water with the addition of soap and baking soda. Further, all parts are treated with a solution of lime and copper sulfate. This will help get rid of mold, mildew, and harmful bacteria. After that, all parts are left to dry in the sun for several days.

Note: The places where the furniture stood are thoroughly washed from dirt and mold. For greater effect, you can use a mixture of salt and sulfuric acid, which is left inside for three hours.

After that, we open the doors, all ventilation pipes and hatches to dry the room.

How to quickly dry a cellar from dampness with ventilation

There is a certain drying algorithm for underground storage, which depends, first of all, on the presence of ventilation in it. Let's consider how this process takes place in rooms with ventilation systems or openings.

We heat the cellar

If the weather is warm outside, and the dampness needs to be removed now and ventilation does not help, you need to heat the air. To do this, take an old metal bucket, make holes in the bottom and walls. Then they are securely attached to the cable and the coals are poured into the bucket. The coals are kindled and set to burn continuously. A bucket with embers on a cable is lowered into the basement and fixed so that it hangs above the floor, and the room itself is closed (Figure 1).

Doors need to be opened every 20-30 minutes. But you cannot climb inside, since the temperature is high there and carbon monoxide accumulation is possible. After the coals have burned out, we take out the bucket and close the cellar. For three days you can't look inside, the smoke will kill the mold and disinfect the room. In this way, you can get rid of the dampness in the basement under the garage.

Figure 1. Drying the basement using the heating method

Instead of a bucket of coal, you can use: a potbelly stove (just lower it into the basement and heat it), a high-power heat gun, a propane burner or kirogas. However, it should be borne in mind that these methods are considered quite dangerous and cannot be used alone.

How to dry a cellar from dampness without ventilation

If a ventilation system was not installed during the construction of the basement, it is necessary to equip some pipes. They can be brought into the wall or ceiling. You can also purchase a fan with supply and exhaust mechanism.

After flooding, you first need to pump out the water. Then take out everything, dry it with open doors and hatches and whitewash with lime. Then you can use the methods described below.

The cellar without ventilation can be dried using hydrophilic materials:

• Slaked lime - destroys fungus and removes moisture. Placed on shelves and along walls.
• Dry sawdust - helps to reduce humidity.
• Calcium Chloride - Moisture-absorbing properties. Lay out, collect in a day, ignite and can be used again.
• Dry cardboard boxes are used to eliminate condensation on the ceiling.

You can purchase a special appliance - a household air dehumidifier, which can also effectively cope with the problem of high humidity.

Disinfection and fight against fungi and mold

After drying, they begin to combat the main problem of underground storage facilities - mold and mildew. There are several effective methods for this, which we will describe below.

Lime vapor

Lime is a quick and inexpensive way to get rid of fungus. It is used to combat fungal colonies and for prophylaxis.

Before starting work, the premises are pre-treated with deactin. The drug is diluted in water, then applied to all painted surfaces.

Figure 2. Disinfecting lime treatment

There are two popular recipes according to which you can clean the basement from the fungus with lime:

• Lime mixture with copper sulfate. To do this, take two buckets of water, 1 kg of slaked lime and 100 g of vitriol. Apply with a spray bottle (Figure 2).
• Mixture with formalin. 200 g of formalin and 500 g of bleach are used per bucket of water. The resulting solution is lubricated on all surfaces inside the basement. The room should then be dried and ventilated.

Sulfur (smoke) bombs

Vapors of sulfur gases are considered an effective method for removing fungus. To use the sulfuric checker, you need to block the access of air to the room, put the checker in a tin basin and set it on fire. Then quickly exit and close the doors tightly (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Disinfection of the cellar with sulfuric checker vapors

Be careful as sulfurous smoke is dangerous for people and animals. After 12 hours, the room must be thoroughly ventilated and treated with slaked lime.

Mold remover

There are cases of white fluffy mold. This is a type of fungus. To combat it, use the methods described above, and you can also use a tool for removing polyurethane foam.

By applying the product to the place where the fungus appears, the mold instantly begins to curl. In the future, it does not appear on the treated area.

Spreading on the floor

If your basement floor is earthen, you can place a thick plastic wrap on it (this will prevent excess moisture).

To do this, make wooden trellises and place them on the floor. Sprinkle pieces of slaked lime over the foil. This will help prevent the growth of fungi and thus reduce moisture.

How to dry a cellar after flooding

Drying should be started immediately after flooding, as mold forms quickly. First you need to pump out water in a way available to you. Next, take out all the pieces of furniture. The cover and ventilation hatches must be opened.

When most of the water has been removed, fans can be installed in the cellar and directed against the walls of the room. If possible, an air dryer can be used.

A dried-up room should be treated against fungus with copper sulphate or a ready-made anti-mold agent. The walls should be whitewashed with lime. Remember to use rubber boots and gloves while drying to avoid electric shock.

A quick and easy way to dry a basement is shown in the video.

How to dry a cellar in a garage from condensation

To get rid of high humidity in the garage, you should install a good ventilation system:

• Install one pipe to the inflow, the second to the outflow;
• Mount one pipe (through the ceiling or wall) with an exhaust fan.

If condensation has already entered the garage, several proven dehumidification methods can be used:

1. Spread slaked lime around the perimeter of the walls and on the shelves. This will get rid of the fungus and reduce moisture.
2. Lay dry cardboard boxes on the floor. Change as moisture accumulates.
3. Spread dry sawdust on the floor and change as it gets wet.

Dehumidifiers can also be used. For this, the model of the device should be selected with an average power. After the walls are dry, they should be whitewashed with lime.

Perform preventive drying every spring. After heavy summer and autumn rains, you should also dry the room. If you carry out preventive work, you will not be afraid of the fungus.