Keeping a Harrisburg basement dry through summer

Start with the downspouts

A downspout that empties at the foot of the wall puts a roof's worth of rain against the foundation. Extensions or splash blocks that carry it several feet away help.

Clean the gutters in fall and spring so they don't overflow onto the same spot.

Check the slope

Soil and paving should fall away from the house, not toward it. The EPA lists sloping the ground away from the foundation among the ways to keep water out of a basement.

Watch summer humidity

Harrisburg's summers are hot and humid, and July is usually the wettest month. When warm, damp air meets cool foundation walls and cold-water pipes, it condenses.

A humidity gauge costs little. The EPA suggests keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50. A dehumidifier with a drain hose keeps a basement in range.

Mind what's stored down there

Cardboard, fabric and paper soak up damp and feed mold. Store on shelves or in plastic bins, off the floor and away from the walls.

After any flooding, move wet things out fast. The EPA's guidance is to dry wet materials within 24 to 48 hours.