How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Basement

The unfortunate thing is that your potentially useful basement can only frighten you by sending out a disgusting odour. It’s good news that every homeowner who values a fresh and healthy living environment can learn how to get rid of musty smell in basement, as it’s not that hard.

This unwanted scent, often the result of mould and mildew growth caused by moisture problems, can permeate your entire home if not treated.

To protect yourself from material loss and improve air quality, fix the root cause as soon as possible. Timely action will turn your basement into a reliable storage space or an extra room without odours. Follow our tips and perform regular maintenance. Then you’ll do just fine!

Identifying Musty Smells

An unpleasant odour may appear in the basement due to mould or mildew. These microorganisms actively multiply in a humid environment, and an uninsulated basement is just such a place.

To determine the source of the smell, carefully inspect the walls in the room. You should be alert to discoloured areas or indistinct growths. Pay attention to your condition. If you have respiratory problems or allergies, dampness in the basement could be to blame.

Don’t put off fixing the problem until later, contact Willfix. The experts will do a free evaluation of the room and answer all your questions. They work as if they were doing it for their own home: they use only quality materials, do the work quickly and give a guarantee for their services. At the same time, the prices remain affordable.

Damp basements

There are two main causes of dampness in the basement: water ingress from the outside and condensation inside the room. This moisture creates a favorable environment for pests, which makes the owner think about how to get rid of musty smell in basement.

This is a really important and urgent problem. Over time, dampness can seriously damage the basement: weaken the foundation and spoil the things that are stored there.

Sewer issues

Another cause of a musty smell in basements is problems with the sewage system. This can be due to clogged or damaged sewer pipes. To avoid such problems, it is necessary to perform regular maintenance and repair the system in a timely manner.

Hire a Willfix team of professionals for waterproofing works. During these works, specialists can check the condition of communications and carefully perform all the necessary manipulations. Your pipes will definitely not be hit. You can be sure that no pipes will be damaged during basement waterproofing or basement underpinning in Hamilton or any area across Canada.

Circulation problems

If you are still reading and the question of how to get rid of the musty smell in the basement remains unsolved, perhaps the reason lies in insufficient air circulation.

You shouldn’t constantly ventilate the room, but do it from time to time. In the warm season, 40-50 minutes, but in winter, 25 minutes is enough.

If you are very busy and can not control the process of ventilation, you can install an air conditioner or make small vents for better air circulation.

Health Implications

The smell of mould or mildew from your basement can spread throughout your home and ruin your guests’ impression of you. It can also be a health hazard. Mould produces toxins that are harmful to humans.

Mould spores are easily inhaled and can settle in the bronchi and lungs. They are able to penetrate the lung tissue very deeply.

Those exposed to mould may experience problems such as:

• Sneezing;
• Itching;
• Runny nose;
• Stuffy nose;
• Dry skin;
• Nosebleeds;
• Upset stomach;
• Headaches.

Sometimes, it can be challenging to recognize the cause of these conditions, and they are not easy to treat. Only specialists in specialized laboratories and allergy centers can diagnose such diseases.

Check your basement regularly for mould. Try to avoid severe indoor humidity problems to achieve a healthy living environment. If possible, install a temperature and humidity controller in your home, but also be alert at all times.

To reduce allergen exposure:

• Clean surfaces with anti-mould products;
• Use air purifiers with HEPA filters;
• Keep the basement dry through effective waterproofing methods.

These actions help clear airborne allergens and create a safer living space for for you and your family.

Long-term effects

Aside from the obvious property damage, dampness in the basement can also pose serious health risks. In a matter of weeks, it can transform wood into a useless state. Fungal growth on walls can lead to the destruction of concrete, bricks, and plaster, creating an overall unhealthy living environment.

Take such measures if it’s not too late:

• Limit your stay in damp and poorly ventilated rooms;
• If you have an air conditioner, regulate the humidity and temperature of the room’s air in accordance with the recommended sanitary norms. The air temperature should be 68-77 °F (22–25°C), and the air humidity should be 45-60%;
• Do not allow the plumbing to leak, as this contributes to increased humidity;
• Ventilate the room by fully opening the window;
• Get rid of things and furniture affected by mould;
• Wet clean the room and furniture, and finish with a dry wipe;
• Take care of indoor plants and do not flood them with large amounts of water;
• Use natural “breathable” building materials with good air permeability and polymer window units with a ventilation valve;
• Repair leaks and cracks without delay;
• If necessary, install solutions such as sump pumps.

If you need to get rid of a musty basement smell, act quickly. It can affect your health and the worth of the property.

Finding the Source

Basements often hide leaks well. Look near pipes and windows first. These areas are prone to moisture.

To address leaks, follow these steps:

1. Identify damp spots on walls or floors;
2. Check pipe joints and connections;
3. Seal any cracks with waterproofing compounds.

Leaks can cause serious problems if ignored.

Conclusion

So now you know how to get rid of the musty smell in the basement. Let’s sum it up. First of all, it is worth recognizing that there is a problem and understanding how dangerous it can be to health. Next, it is necessary to find the source of that disgusting aroma, thoroughly clean the room and monitor the level of humidity — on your own or using special equipment. To prevent the smell from reappearing, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive maintenance and check the condition of the basement.

How to Get Rid of Musty Smell in Basement FAQ