Why Your Dehumidifier Isn't Enough (And What to Do About It)

July 8th, 2025 by Kristie Petrulis

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Why Your Dehumidifier Isn’t Enough (And What to Do About It)

A musty basement. Damp walls. That sticky, uncomfortable feeling in the air. For many homeowners, the first response is to plug in a dehumidifier and hope for the best.

But here’s the truth: a dehumidifier alone is not enough to fix the problem. It might reduce moisture in the air temporarily—but it doesn't address the source of the problem, and in many cases, it’s just a Band-Aid on a much bigger issue.

At Keystone Basement Systems, we’ve seen it all—from basements filled with store-bought dehumidifiers to fans running 24/7. Let’s break down why your current setup might not be cutting it, and what you actually need to create a dry, healthy basement space.

The Limits of a Dehumidifier

Most consumer-grade dehumidifiers are designed to pull a small amount of moisture from the air. They’re helpful in lightly damp areas, but if your basement has any of the following, a dehumidifier alone won’t solve the issue:

Standing water or visible seepage
Condensation on walls or floors
A musty or moldy smell
Efflorescence (white, chalky residue) on walls
High humidity levels above 60%

Worse yet, standard dehumidifiers often:

Fill up too fast and shut off
Struggle in cooler basement temperatures
Run constantly and rack up your electric bill

That’s because they treat the symptoms—not the cause.

Moisture Problems Start with Water Intrusion

Before you can manage humidity, you have to understand where the moisture is coming from.

In Western PA and Northern West Virginia, many basements suffer from:

Groundwater seepage through cracks or joints
Hydrostatic pressure forcing water through the walls or floor
Poor exterior drainage or clogged gutters
High water tables or improper grading

If any of these are happening in your home, your dehumidifier is playing defense… and it’s losing.

What You Can Do Instead

To truly control moisture and protect your home long-term, you need a comprehensive basement waterproofing system. At Keystone Basement Systems, we recommend a multi-step approach:

1. Address the Source

We start by identifying how water is getting in and design a custom solution using:

WaterGuard® interior drainage systems
Sump pumps (like the TripleSafe™ or SuperSump®)
Wall vapor barriers (like CleanSpace®)
Foundation crack repairs

2. Control the Environment

Once water is managed, we install the Sedona High-Performance Dehumidifier—a professional-grade system that:

Removes up to 100 pints of water a day
Runs efficiently and quietly
Is self-draining—no more emptying buckets!
Keeps your basement dry and your energy bills low

3. Prevent Future Problems

We also help homeowners protect against long-term issues like mold, rot, and foundation damage—by keeping humidity and water under control 24/7.

Don’t Fight Moisture Alone

If your dehumidifier is working overtime and you're still feeling the damp, it’s time to call in the experts.

At Keystone Basement Systems, we help homeowners find permanent, customized solutions to moisture, mold, and water intrusion. We’ve been protecting basements across the region for over 20 years—and we’re just getting started.

Why Your Dehumidifier Isn't Enough (And What to Do About It)