Dry vs. wet basements

Q: I’ve been searching for an apartment in an area where a lot of old homes are split into apartments, and I hear agents and landlords refer to their basements as either “dry” basements or “wet” basements. What exactly do those terms mean? — Trudy C., Worcester, Mass.

A: “Dry” vs. “wet” are, in general, quick references to whether a home’s basement has been sealed against water seepage, leaks and condensation — or not. Many of the Northeast’s turn-of-the-century houses have what might lightly be called “wet” basements because they were not designed to keep dampness out completely.

Some have plain dirt floors or, at best, wooden planks overlaying the earth beneath it.Even recently built homes can have “wet” or unsealed basements.

The kind of soil in which a basement is set and the level of an area’s water table can determine whether a basement will tend toward “wet” or “dry” — or if a basement can even be built at all. (For example, most homes in Florida do not have basements because of the soil — hard limestone — and a high water table.)

Today’s homes are supposed to be built with drains that move water away from the foundation and basement walls.

But many drains are not properly installed or are inadequate, leaving homeowners with a damp basement and, in some cases, one that even floods in heavy rains, forcing them to keep appliances set above the floor. These are basements that one goes into only out of necessity.

A “dry” basement is well-sealed and has drains that move water well away from the walls and floor. Leaks and flooding are rarely a problem. Because most basements have a significant amount of square footage, the dry basement is the most desirable. A well-sealed, well-drained basement can be fitted out into a living space with Sheetrock walls, carpeting or tile.

HOME TIP: Homeowners with leaky or damp basements should consult a construction or basement specialist about ways to improve water drainage from walls set below ground.