If you’re like most people, you only visit your basement a few times a year.
But every time you go down there, you’re amazed by the huge amounts of dust that’s accumulated.
How can this be?
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So, Why IS Your Basement So Dusty?
Poorly fitted windows, intense pressure, pest infestation, faulty HVAC systems, and ducting connections are some of the major reasons why your basement can get so dusty. You will find out more in deep detail in this article. So make sure you read keenly to the end to understand why your basement is so dusty and find ultimate solutions for the same menace.
Seven Reason Why Your Basement Is Dusty
1. Your HVAC Filter Systems Have Holes
The presence of dust in your basement could be because your HVAC filter systems are having holes.
You have to inspect them to assess their conditions and if you notice that indeed there are holes in them, resolve the problem swiftly.
They help filter circulating air to rid it of particles like pollen, microorganisms, and of course dust.
So, they help in cleaning the air as well.
It is, therefore, obvious that an HVAC system with holes in it cannot perform its function to the fullest-it cannot clean the air of dust.
At the end of the day, your basement becomes very dusty. It is recommended to clean them often to remove dirt that may have clogged them in the event of time.
2. Dirty HVAC Systems
Trust me, even if your home HVAC systems are in working, they could be becoming inefficient in how they clean the air in your home.
Guess why?
Because they are dirty. You need to execute a thorough cleaning of these filters at least once every two months.
You want to make sure that they are utterly working well. You may even require to do a replacement altogether.
Cleaning them not only helps to clear off dust but also ensures that they are energy-efficient. Dirty filters strain the system to overwork hence consuming a lot of energy to deliver.
They can also break down due to such intense work. Not to mention that dirty filters often get damp.
This can lead to mold development and accommodation in the systems that could potentially spread to the entire house.
Aside from the dust and dirt issue, a dirty filter will lead to a pressure drop in the home causing poor air quality.
2. Loose Ducting Connections
The same effect that a dirty filter will have in the air is what loose ducting does too.
This could be the reason why your basement is becoming dusty.
Execute a routine check of your ducting connections to ensure their operation.
If your ducting system fails to operate, your HVAC system will pull all dirt and dust making your basement very dusty.
It is often a difficult job to fix a faulty duct. Getting down to the connections can be a daunting task.
So, all you can do is check the vents as soon as you turn them on to make sure that it is blowing dust into the basement.
If it is doing so, you can conclude that there is a problem with the ducting system and it has to be repaired immediately.
Before calling a professional HVAC technician, seal or replace them so that they will not blow more dust into the basement.
3. Unsealed Basement Flooring
If your basement is not sealed, there is every chance that particles will become airborne and accumulate into dust in your basement.
Cement, packed earth, and even stones used in the construction can release dust particles when you move something over them or when you walk over them.
So, if your basement is getting dusty, you need to check the basement for this possibility. If you notice that your basement is causing all this, make swift arrangements to seal your basement.
Dust particles from concrete are especially very irritating when inhaled. They can cause serious health issues by provoking allergies.
4. Poorly-Fitted Windows
This includes doors that are always kept open.
Yes, your basement needs windows to aid in ventilation and bring light into the building.
Air can suck and whirl dust particles in the basement area making it look very dusty.
The problem is commonest during summer.
You have all the reasons to blame your open windows for letting in dust and pollen into the basement.
The solution to this is simple. Keep the windows closed at all times.
Only open them when there is no serious wind that can blow particles into the room.
Additionally, basement windows without dust screens are the primary cause of dust in the basement. Ill-fitted windows can also allow dust and pollen into the building.
Make sure that ill-fitting windows are repaired. Also, remember to clean the windows often.
5. Debris From The Ceiling And Walls
Your basement is a collection point for any debris that falls from the walls and ceilings.
So if your wall or ceilings dislodges, for whatever reason, debris from them lands automatically on the basement leading to a lot of dust accumulation.
Once they are airborne, they will not only irritate your airways but also clog your HVACS systems.
One of the major reasons why your walls and ceilings can become dislodged is due to intense pressure from the soil outside the building.
Tree roots can also cause this. This problem is also common for old houses due to wear and tear. It owes to the effects of aging.
You should never take these signs for granted as, sometimes, they can mean serious structural damage.
6. Peeling Off Of The Paint And Waterproofing Materials
If the paints or waterproofing materials peel off, they land in the basement and become airborne.
If the paint was leaded, it can cause serious health ramifications.
Spidery cracks and holes on the walls should be enough to alert you that your walls have a problem. Repainting is the only solution to this.
For waterproofing materials, however, you have to thoroughly replace them with new ones.
Many reasons can make your paint peel off. They include:
- Overly thinned paint
- Painting on dirty walls
- Painting on oil-based paints
- Poor preparation of the surface
- Leaky windows and pipes
- Cracks on the walls, floors, and ceilings
- Intense pressure on the basement
7. Pest Infestation
The basement is, undoubtedly, the most vulnerable part to pest infestation. They bring in a lot of dirt as they construct their homes in the basement.
Their movement from one part of the basement to the other helps spread these dust particles all over the place.
Here is exactly how pests can bring dust into your basement:
- They bore into structures-whatever they find. They, therefore create dust-like particles which spread over the basement
- Vermin brings in a lot of dirt. As they fly from part of the room to another, they spread particles making them even more airborne
- Pest loves the dusty and humid environment. If they find dust that had already accumulated in the basement, they invigorate the spread of it.
Final Words
As you have noted in this article, there are a plethora of ways in which dust can find its way into your basement.
A dusty basement is not only a threat to your health.
It creates favorable conditions for pests to live and thrive.
It also makes the place scary and unwelcoming. Your basement can be a cool place if put to good use. Clean it often.