Why do I have Moisture on Basement Support Beams?

Our Answer

Water leaking from inside a steel beam?  Now THAT would be quite a trick!  The problem is actually a lot simpler./  What you are sein is simply condensation.  The basement air is damp, and the steel beam cold.  As that warmer, moist air strikes the beam, it release moisture which condenses on the beams surface, ultimately showing up as drips that could appear likes it coming right out of the beam!

The solution is to reduce that humidity. A dehumidifier is one approach, but there are many other things I’d do before that.  Primarily, you need to reduce the volume of water that is close to your foundation outside, by carefully and methodically extending downspouts, keeping the gutters clean and regrading the foundation perimeter if necessary. Follow the advice in our post about how to stop a leaking basement. Even though your basement isn’t leaking, the very same principles apply.