My basement has no water in it right now but is very very damp. I have mold growing on the floor along the perimeter. It smells pretty bad down there as well. We run a small dehumidifier which will get us to low humidity but if it stops for a few hours, it’s right back up there again quickly. The bedroom feels damp. It’s almost like the blankets feel cold and heavy, but not necessarily wet.
My question is since there’s no water inside right now and the dehumidifier runs, will this type of waterproofing system eventually help the cement floor dry out? The basement is supposed to be finished again in August. It was previously, but we ripped it out to do repairs. I’m thinking there’s so much water under the house, that even though it’s not rising right now to come it at the places it normally does, it’s still wicking moisture up through the floor along the edges. Or maybe the slab itself is still holding water until things can get dried out. When they put their system in, they will be filling the old sump crock pit so that entire old system will be out of commission.
Neillsville WI is clay type dirt as you go deeper. I think we’re sitting in a mud pit but am worried the system I’m putting in will only address the water coming in but won’t help what’s under the house dry out over time.
I will be cleaning with an antimicrobial cleaner before refinishing. I don’t know if I should put anything additional down on the floor before laying carpet again (no pad).
Thank you for your time everyone! Now that I’ve learned they drill weep holes into the wall, i’m fairly certain this process will dry most of my water out in the ground as well as help my slab dry once we get the water moving. I think it will be longer than just a few days. It’s going to take some time for the water to move in, pump out and eventually dry out. You’ve all been very helpful!