Basements Plus Blog

Why Does My Basement Smell Musty?

Basements Plus — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:04:58 GMT

A musty basement smell is often a sign of excess moisture and poor airflow throughout a home. Moisture issues can be attributed to foundation cracks, the floor-wall joint, exposed soil, outside air, or problems with your drainage or sump pump system.

Learn what's causing the musty odors in your basement and fix it for good.

What Materials Should I Build My Basement Walls With? - Basements Plus

Basements Plus — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 13:01:35 GMT

What Materials Should I Build My Basement Walls With?

The materials you use to finishing your basement should be engineered for below grade spaces – metal studs, graphite infused insulation (SilverGlo), and mold resistant drywall. If you’ve gotten a few finishing quotes and wonder why the numbers are so different, then look at the type of materials that contractor is suggesting.

Why Are My Floors Cold Above a Crawl Space?

Basements Plus — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:23:16 GMT

Cold floors above a crawl space happen because of air movement, not a heating problem. If your furnace works fine, but your floors stay cold, air from an unsealed crawl space is moving up into your living space above it.

Why Does My Crawl Space Smell Musty?

Basements Plus — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:38:26 GMT

That smell is your home’s way of telling you something is wrong. The fact that you noticed it, asked yourself what it meant, and you reading this right now puts you ahead of most homeowners.A lot of people ignore crawl space problems for years before they’re forced to deal with them.

Interior vs Exterior Basement Waterproofing: Which Do You Need?

Basements Plus — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:37:56 GMT

There are two ways to waterproof a basement: from the inside or from the outside. Interior systems intercept water once it’s already near your foundation and redirect it away through a drain tile and sump pump. Exterior systems excavate around the foundation to stop water before it ever reaches the wall. Both are real methods, and both actually work, but they solve the problem in completely different ways and for most Southeast Michigan homeowners, one makes a lot more sense than the other.

How Much Does Foundation Repair Cost in Michigan?

Basements Plus — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:08:17 GMT

Foundation repair in Michigan can range from a relatively small crack repair to a major structural stabilization project. Many foundation repair projects fall between $5,000 to $15,000, but the actual cost depends on what is causing the problem, how much of the foundation is affected and what type of repair is needed.

20 Questions to Ask Your Contractor - Basements Plus

Basements Plus — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:41:47 GMT

It’s frustrating as a contractor who truly cares about our homeowners to hear stories from families about the terrible experiences they have had with contractors. It is even more frustrating to be that homeowner dealing with the contractor.

12 Expert Basement Remodeling Tips for a Seamless Renovation

Tonia Cronin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:40:55 GMT

Become a project pro with these 12 basement remodeling tips. Be prepared with a timeline, budget, and other tips before launching your basement renovation.

Basement Ceiling Options: Drop, Drywall, or Exposed — How to Choose - Basements Plus

Basements Plus — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:34:06 GMT

Basement Ceiling Options: Drop, Drywall, or Exposed — How to Choose

The right basement ceiling comes down to four decisions: how much headroom do you have to work with, what look you are going for, how much do you want to spend, and how easily do you want to access the mechanicals above the ceiling. Once you answer those questions, the right choice becomes pretty clear.

How to Know When You Need Interior Waterproofing - Basements Plus

Tonia Cronin — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 19:33:34 GMT

Why Is My Basement Leaking?
Why your basement is leaking usually comes down to one thing: the exterior drainage system around your foundation has stopped doing its job. Most Michigan homes were built with drainage designed to move groundwater away from the structure, but those systems clog with dirt and debris over time, water pressure builds up around the foundation, and that pressure finds the path of least resistance through cracks, joints, or porous concrete. The result is the water stain, the musty smell, or the wet corner you’ve been living with. This isn’t a freak event. It’s a predictable failure, and it’s solvable.