Basement Humidity Remedy?

Question

So, in a few of the single family houses I have recently purchased for rentals, the basements are fairly humid. The real estate agent that I've been using (who is fairly well versed in investment purchases) suggested placing a dehumidifier in the basement to help control the moisture.

However, my property manager advises against purchasing/placing dehumidifiers as she feels that the tenants may disconnect, break, or steal them. In searching for alternatives to a dehumidifier I've found some of the below solutions...

FOUND SOLUTIONS:

1 - This looked relatively inexpensive, but requires a window in the basement (which may not be present), and is very much DIY:

https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2008/09/10/a-dehu...

I found 2 - 5 on the following site:

https://www.hunker.com/12002792/how-to-dehumidify-...

2 - Placing Charcoal bricks around the basement

3 - Filling a bin with rock salt and drilling a few holes allowing for water to drain

4 - Buying desiccant's and placing those around the basement

5 - Running an electric heater, set no higher than 95 degrees.

I really like option 1... but if my basement doesn't have a window, it won't work... I'm also not that mechanically inclined.

I'm not so keen on solution 2-4 as it would require intervention from the tenant to cleanup and replace used up portions, and I'd really like the tenant to not have to think or worry about placing or emptying stuff.

I'm not really excited about leaving an electric heater running unattended, nor do I think that curious, uneducated minds would think it was necessary to run one in an unoccupied space, nor would they appreciate the extra heat in summer, or the extra expense added to their electric bill.

I'm wondering if anyone has tried any of these, or if they have success doing something else to help cure a damp basement.

Thanks in advance.

Tom Rychlewski · Answer

@Jared Broderick A dehumidifier is $200. I have never had a tenant steal it and if they did I would just buy a new one with their deposit. I wouldn’t mess around with anything else. If you are concerned that they will turn it off, you could just hard wire it back to a junction box.

Sam Shueh · Answer

Portable dehumidifier. They are much affordable and people use condensate H2O for watering plants. Can even find one from Craigslist for a song.

Thomas S. · Answer

The problem with passive dehumidifiers is that the humidity is coming in with the outside air. Moving the basement air outside is resulting in it being replaced by more outside air of the same humidity level. Without using a dehumidifier, which must run constantly, in itself is not actually reducing the humidity levels in the home. A dehumidifier actually maintains a reduced humidity level. Buy them on sale, used etc. and check them regularly to insure the tenants have not turned them off if they are paying for hydro.

Tom Rychlewski · Answer

@Jared Broderick I would just tell them to clean it and check it when you do your quarterly walk through.

Michael Douglas · Answer

I had a house in Virginia that had a mold issue in the basement Due to high humidity. The laundry room was also in the basement. I install the shelf above the washing machine. I put a portable dehumidifier on that shelf with the drain line feeding into the drain for the washing machine. I set it to cycle on for about two hours at a time. That dramatically reduced the humidity in the basement. It was just a unit that I picked up at Lowe’s.

Jared Broderick · Answer

@Tom Rychlewski - What do you do about filter cleaning of the unit?

Jeremy A. · Answer

I'm installer of user of direct vent fan with humidistat. vent heavier moist air near floor, and replaced by air exchanges min 3 per pp x day. installed $1500-$2500 vents aprox 2000-4000 sft. depends on region and avg humidity levels. a whole active not passive cs basement vent 230cfm more. installed into wall is vent like #1, with 3-4 manufacturer's in no. America.but must air seal as it will bring warm air from conditioned spaces to basement. dehumidifier produces heat as by product, and takes more electric to operate. if go with dehumidifiers get large comm heavy ones with humidistat and direct drain. no one will walk away with it. 300lbsdont just open window unless dry air cat 1 wind blowing straight in.it wont remove moisture only feed it. i use activtek air scrubbers secured to a bracket holding plate. it kills protects 2000-10k sqft of mold bacteria, and reduces moisture as its byproduct of technology esp basements.

Matthew Paul · Answer

A window AC unit will dehumidify

Lee L. · Answer

I think it is quite possible that it would dehumidify a larger area but for the walls, but ofcourse who knows for sure.I have no idea on the install price because we got the house when an aunt died and she had it done way back right after hurricane Irene flooded the whole basement, but there wasn't a choice on pro install because a hole had to be cut into the foundation as there was no window, I have a feeling if a venting spot existed it would be a pretty easy diy project.

Jared Broderick · Answer

@Mike McCarthy - Thanks for the idea of a real duct fan, If I go all DIY I'll definitely look into that.Thank you for that suggestion. :)