Normal use of the basement is impossible if the air in it is musty, and the walls are covered with condensation or mold. These symptoms are caused by insufficient ventilation in the basement and can cause not only spoilage of vegetables and supplies, but also lead to premature deterioration of the foundation and structural elements of the building.
Special attention to the construction of ventilation should be given if the groundwater is not deep( as it is checked, read here), and also if the underground room is planned to be actively used for storage or as a workshop, boiler room, etc. Ideally, the ventilation system of the basement is calculated and laid down at the design stage of the house, but if this important detail has not been taken into account, you can correct the situation.
Ventilation holes
For a small cellar that is not used for household purposes, two ventilation openings in the opposite walls will suffice. For them, even when the foundation is poured, pipes are laid across the concrete strip. If this was not done, you can gently drill the holes by covering the edges with cement mortar and covering the grids with rats and mice - they are called blowouts. On the outside of such a pipe, it is possible to install flaps to cover them during the cold season.
Supply and exhaust ventilation
Pipes for ventilation of the basement should have a diameter of 10-15 cm, the larger the diameter of the pipes, the higher the air exchange rate, but the higher the heat loss. The total length of pipes will be the height of the house plus 2-3 meters, it is better to use simple in installation and light plastic pipes. In addition, you need 2 deflectors and pipe clamps, as well as a mounting foam to fix the pipe in the ceiling or the basement wall and the puncher, if ventilation is installed in an already constructed house.
The exhaust pipe starts at the ceiling of the basement and comes out on the roof. The outer part of the pipe, and it should be raised 30-50 cm above the ridge, insulated and covered with a deflector. At the inner end of the pipe, a condensate collector is installed.
The supply pipe starts 30-50 cm above the basement floor in the opposite end of the room and exits out, rising 1-1.5 m above the ground. Its outer end must be covered with a grate and protected from moisture. It is recommended to install a supply system on the shady, northern side of the house. If the basement has windows or unsealed doors, then the supply pipe can not be installed, but more often open them.
The natural supply and exhaust ventilation depends on the temperature and the strength of the wind, therefore, to ensure a stable draft, it is possible to equip the exhaust pipe with a small fan operating outside.
Tip. Check how well ventilation with air exchange works, you can just use a burning match. Its rapid fading is a sign that there is a lot of carbon dioxide in the air. Normally operating ventilation should fully update the air in the basement in an hour.
