Moisture on the surface of concrete
floors is common in Iowa homes. It can
cause numerous problems, including
mold and mildew growth, wet rugs and
carpet, damp and musty smells, rotting
of wood, wet insulation, rusting of
metal, and bacteria growth.
Water occurs on slab surfaces for a
number of reasons, including:
• condensation
• moisture migration through the
slab from wet soil under the slab
• broken or leaking pipes buried
below or in the concrete
• surface water from leaks or
flooding collecting on the concrete
To reduce the moisture problems in the
basement, the flow of moisture into the
concrete from outside must be stopped.
All leaks must be fixed.
www.extension.iastate.edu
