Providing Basement Ventilation To Your House

Copyright (c) 2015 Matt Reardon

Compared to all other rooms in the entire house, your basement has the potential of being the biggest source of moisture problems, mold and mildew growth plus many obnoxious odors. In many homes, the basement is also usually utilized to store household chemicals which could also contribute to the bad odors.

If your basement space has not been well ventilated, a concentrations of various soil gases, is likely to occur. Besides that, mildew and mold are known to thrive in places that are quite damp, cool and poorly ventilated. In case you had stored any fuels, chemicals and solvents, this could aggravate matters as well. Basement ventilation is particularly vital if the place is being utilized as some sort of living space.

If your home water heating systems and heating furnaces are located in the basement, the poor ventilation can lead to intense depressurization as the systems are trying to draw in air needed for combustion. This resultant depressurization can be drawing in soil gases into your basement atmosphere as well.

Why Ventilate The Basement?

Because your basement is located below ground level, moisture coming from the earth can easily seep in through your walls and floor. When the incoming cold moisture comes into collision with the air in your basement, condensation is the outcome. Extreme condensation is going to create a musty smell in your basement and when left unchecked, it will begin to gather into stagnant water pools. This creates a rich breeding ground for mildew and mold spores.

Some types of molds are extremely toxic and dangerous to your health. Certain types can even cause or even aggravate allergic reactions, trigger asthmatic attacks and lead to symptoms of influenza. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that as a homeowner, you try remove or reduce any moisture problems or water leaks and provide ventilation to your basement.

Australian Building Codes (ABC) typically requires that you should ensure 1 square foot of vent opening for every 150 square feet of your crawlspace area. If your house has got no foundation vents, the BCA generally requires that you install some form of mechanical ventilation.

For the reason that many people use the basement as car parks, the Australian Building Codes stipulates that a suitable carpark mechanical ventilation method ought to be installed. This is in accordance with clause F4.11 Carparks Part 4 that deals with Light and Ventilation. Whichever mechanical system you install must be in compliance with Australian Standard 1668.2-2002.

Basically, there are 2 methods for ventilating your basement, each with its pros and cons.

- Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation utilizes natural air currents. However, it only works well for basements which have strategically placed windows. If your basement is constantly wet, this method is most probably going to be insufficient.

- Mechanical Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation makes use of vents and fans to exhaust existing air in your basement and to bring in fresher outdoor air. This is a favoured method by majority of homeowners owing to its great flexibility and the degree of automation that it offers.

According to the ASHRAE Journal; Vol. 55 Issue 8 of Aug 2013, natural ventilation has proven to be more healthy, energy efficient and economical than the mechanical ventilation method.


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MouldBuster is a household name in the home ventilation industry. Matt Reardon has been installing home systems with great skill. His experience during his many years at MouldBuster can be an invaluable asset as you seek assistance. Matt will assist you in selecting the best HRV system for your home, visit http://mouldbuster.com.au/basement-ventilation/ to see all their services.