Musty basement odors--what did you do?

JonT · 08-31-2009, 07:06 AM

Its been a year since I've refinished my basement and I'm getting some musty odors in the basement. I have a dehumidifier running with the door shut to keep the cold air from upstairs from coming into the lower level. I pulled the carpet back where I had a water problem and its dry (I improved the drainage). Can anyone help with tried and true solutions that have experienced this problem?

Gogar · 08-31-2009, 07:40 AM

I have a HEPA-air cleaner kind of thing that I just leave on low all the time.

Also if you have any floor drains, make sure they are clean, maybe toss a cup of bleach down the drain.

Roosterrusek · 08-31-2009, 07:48 AM

All of the above and a dehumidifier. Had the same issues in my old basment, got one, cranked it up and a week later no stank.

Stank comes from mold mildew and moisture, get rid of the mold mildew and moisture, no more stank.

TechnoViking · TechnoViking's Garage

I have heard that installing a radon-mitigation system will fix the odor problem if all else fails.

looneybin · 08-31-2009, 08:10 AM

open up a bag of charcoal & set it in the corner for a week or so.
It will absorb the odors.

You could also try removing the bodies

Jeff Higgins · 08-31-2009, 08:34 AM

I just moved upstairs.

gr8fl4porsche · gr8fl4porsche's Garage

Tell us more about why you closed the upstairs door to keep the cold out.

You want maximum air flow to dry and condition the space.

Leave dehumidifier on full strength for the next couple of months.
Open up any AC vents in the basement.
Open up the upper stair door.

You want your HVAC system to dehumidify the space with the portable unit acting as a helper.

crb07 · crb07's Garage

I had the same problem, turns out the freezer was broken. Instead of buying a new one I just took all the bodies outside and buried them.

m21sniper · 08-31-2009, 12:01 PM

Buy a dehumidifier, it helps immensely with musty basement smells.

tcar · 08-31-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Buy a dehumidifier, it helps immensely with musty basement smells.

He has one running, as he said.

Where's the water going from the dehumidifier?

targa911S · 08-31-2009, 03:23 PM

Keep a fan blowing at low speed at all times. It keeps the air moving and if you have any dampness down there you will avoid mildew. As you already know a dehumidifier is a must.

looneybin · 09-01-2009, 08:45 AM

also make sure the planters against the exterior of the house all slope away from the house for proper drainage

gtc · gtc's Garage

I've lived in two houses with basement moisture issues. Sealing the walls and floors inside helped considerably. In both cases however, the root of the problem was an issue with groundwater drainage around the foundation. In the second case, the footing drains had clogged. Fortunately we found someone who was able to flush them out and use a long boroscope type camera to make sure that the drains were clear. Otherwise we were going to put in a french drain around the house, which would have been much more expensive.

m21sniper · 09-01-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar

He has one running, as he said.

Where's the water going from the dehumidifier?

Perhaps it's not up to the task.