If your basement smells musty, it's probably because there are mold and mildew in there.
Molds and mildew grow well in places that are damp. Mold and mildew can make you sick, so you need to get rid of the musty smell in your home.
Is it Normal for Basement to Smell Musty?
Mold and mildew love to grow in basements, which can make them smell musty and be hard to get rid of.
Since some or all of your basement walls are built underground, the cold, wet soil around the walls pulls moisture into the basement.
Is it Normal for an Unfinished Basement to Smell Musty?
Some basements get a lot of water, which can make the smell worse. If your basement is damp, you may have drywall, insulation, or wood that needs to be replaced. If these things get wet because of a flood or a lot of moisture and don't dry out right, they can give your basement that sickly sweet smell.
What Kills Musty Smell?
Use a natural odor absorber like activated charcoal or baking soda to get the last of the musty smell out of your house.
These things will soak up the smell, so you'll need to throw them away every two weeks or so and get new ones.
How to Remove Musty Smell from Basement after Flooding?
Put baking soda in bowls around the basement. The baking soda will start to soak up the smells, and after a few days, you should notice a big difference. You can also use bowls of white vinegar or clean cat litter to absorb smells.
1. Find the Source
First, determine the source of musty basement odors. Mold or mildew generated by moisture usually causes odors.
Check for cracks or leaks that might be creating the smell:
- Window basement (Do the wells direct water too close to the house?)
- Basement exits
- Floor windows
- Floor-level exterior doors
- Above-floor bathroom and kitchen plumbing
Groundwater may be to blame. If your home's grade slopes toward your basement, water will enter. Regrading the property may be ideal. A contractor can also build a French drain around the foundation. A trough leading to the sump pump may be needed for excessively moist basements.
If your finished basement smells musty but there are no wall leaks, it might be a dry floor drain or p-trap under a sink. Since these drains aren't used often, the fluid that stops sewer gasses might dry up. A couple of glasses of water in these drains may help, as they're often the cause of a musty basement.
Pet scents on furniture or carpets can cause musty odors. If everything is waterproof and dry and your traps are full, the problem may be in your carpets or upholstery.
2. Make the Repairs
If you don't fix the problem, the musty basement stench will return. Windows and doors that leak in the rain will continue to do so until you replace them. Pipe wrap insulates cold-water pipes that sweat.
Foundation leaks may necessitate excavation and sealing. Otherwise, waterproof the foundation.
Don't forget moist items. Mold may grow on moist drywall, concrete, and wood, although saturated drywall and insulation are easier to replace.
3. Control the Humidity
After repairs, dry the basement. Dehumidifiers remove moisture easily. These devices condense air moisture into a detachable tank you can empty. You can connect a drain line to a floor or sink drain to avoid emptying the tank. Basements need dehumidifiers.
50 percent humidity is ideal for comfort and preventing mold growth (which occurs at over 60 percent). You may also use a box fan or window fan to speed up drying.
4. Tackle the Smell
With moisture under control, you can attack the musty smell. You may already have the goods.
Sprinkle baking soda in the basement. Baking soda will absorb smells over a few days. Vinegar and clean kitty litter can help absorb scents. DampRid is a product that absorbs moisture and musty smells.
Clean the entire basement while the deodorizers work. You can spray or mop with equal parts water and white vinegar.
Focus on moldy regions.
Carpeting and upholstery can hold musty scents even when a basement is clean and dry. Consider hiring a carpet and furniture steamer to thoroughly clean basement carpets and upholstery.
Your basement should smell fresh in a week with these suggestions. Watch for leaks, keep p-traps full, and continue dehumidifying. This routine should keep your basement odor-free for years.
Will a Dehumidifier get rid of Musty Smell in Basement?
A dehumidifier is the best way to get rid of moisture from a damp basement. With just one dehumidifier in the basement, you can get rid of a lot of the dampness and smell.
When should I run my Dehumidifier in the Basement?
When deciding whether or not to use a dehumidifier in the winter, you should always keep an eye on how humid your home is. If the relative humidity stays high, you might want to run your device. In fact, your room will benefit from a basement dehumidifier if the humidity level stays above 50%.
Does Damprid work in a Basement?
The Mega Moisture Absorber works best in places where there is always too much water. DampRid moisture absorbers draw in and hold extra water to get rid of musty smells and stop water damage in basements.
My Basement is Dry but Still Smells Musty?
If your finished basement smells musty but you know there are no leaks behind the walls, the smell could be coming from a dry floor drain or p-trap under a sink. Since these drains aren't used very often, the fluid in the trap that keeps sewer gasses from coming out can dry up.
