University of Wisconsin - Extension

You get an owner's manual and directions when you buy a new car, a new appliance, even a new toaster. But there is no explicit set of instructions when you buy your first home.

Now, UW-Extension has developed a newsletter, "HomeWorks News," designed to provide information and tips on many topics related to home ownership.

John Merrill, UW-Extension housing specialist and co-author, says the newsletter includes home care checklists, seasonal maintenance tips, financial management information, plus tips on property taxes, escrow accounts, home equity loans and emergency funds.

The summer edition features articles on damp basements, siding care, lawn care, air conditioning, roach control, emergency funds for home repairs, and other topics.

One of the most common summer problems is basement dampness, Merrill says. Sometimes, dampness comes from rainwater that seeps into the basement. But more often, water vapor in warm air condenses on cool surfaces in basements.

Merrill says many people assume that opening windows and letting more warm air into the basement will warm the basement air and decrease humidity and condensation problems.

But it's difficult to provide enough warm air to increase the surface temperatures of uninsulated basement walls and floors. The earth behind the walls absorbs warmth from the added air, while the temperature of walls and floors stays about the same.

The warm air from outside actually adds more moisture, creating even more condensation.

Merrill says the two steps to take to decrease condensation is to close off the basement as much as possible from warm, humid air; and to use a dehumidifier to reduce basement air moisture.

"Since dehumidifiers are relatively expensive to operate, do what you can to minimize the need," Merrill says. "Make sure no water is leaking in through the walls. If water is leaking in, you may be able to correct this by grading around the house so water flows away from the foundation. Also, make sure downspouts direct water on the roof away from the house as it runs off."

For information on how to order the "HomeWorks News" newsletter series, contact your http://www1.uwex.edu/ces/cty">county UW-Extension office.