Dreary Basements are a thing of the past.  Basements can be inviting multipurpose haven that’s as comfortable as your main level; you just need to take a few steps to make sure they stay that way.

5 ways to Dry Out a Wet Basement-

1. Clean gutters and extend downspouts.  Choose extensions that are at least 5 feet long and direct rainwater away from your home.
2. Ensure that water flows away from the house.  If necessary, rework your exterior landscaping to make the ground slope slightly away from your home.  Add or remove soil to create a downward slope of 6 vertical inches for a distance of 3 horizontal feet.
3. Leave plenty of clearance below basement windows. The outside bottom edge of a basement window should be at least 6 inches above the soil.
4. Install a sump pump. {we learned this the hard way, after our basement flooded} The sump is a small reservoir installed below the basement floor that fills when groundwater rises.  An electric pump then pushes this water away from the house to properly drain.  To ensure the pump continues to work during a storm, opt for one with a battery backup.
5. Run a dehumidifier.  To alleviate the need to regularly empty the water reservoir, place the unit near a drain and run a connecting hose from the reservoir to the drain.

{pictures via BHG}