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 Causes a Musty Basement Smell?
We've pulled together the most common reasons Michigan homeowners have persistent odors in their basement. Most often, it is a combination of these conditions going on at the same time:
- Hidden moisture
- Cracks in foundation walls
- Mold and rotting wood
- A failing sump pump
- False Water Table: Ground water can collect around or beneath your homes foundation and find it's way inside.
That's why getting a basement specialist out to evaluate your home and tell you what's happening is the next step forward to getting rid of the musty odors.
Can A Musty Basement Smell Affect The Rest Of Your Home?
What most homeowners don’t realize is that air from your basement doesn’t stay below the main level, it circulates throughout your entire home. This is called the ‘stack effect’.
As warm air rises and escapes through the upper levels of your home, cooler air gets pulled in from below, right through your basement. On its way up through gaps in floorboards, around plumbing and wiring, and through your HVAC system, that air carries mold spores, allergens, and excess humidity with it.
So, the smell you’re noticing upstairs? It started down there. ↓
The Quick Fix: Dehumidifier Only
When homeowners notice a musty smell, the most common response is put a standalone dehumidifier in the basement. It’s an understandable move and it can help reduce humidity levels in the short term.
But a dehumidifier addresses the symptom, not the source. It doesn’t stop humid outside air from pouring in through old vents. It doesn’t stop water from finding its way in during the next heavy rain. All it does is manage some of the moisture that’s already accumulating, which means it needs to keep running indefinitely, just to keep pace with a problem that never goes away.
It’s a mask, not a cure. And masks wear off.
How Do You Get Rid of a Musty Basement Smell?
The most effective way to address musty odors in your basement is to control the moisture causing the issue. This may include installing a waterproofing system to collect and redirect water away from you home. A SaniDry dehumidification system may also be added to help control excess humidity in the space as well.
Done right, these solutions can help create a dry basement environment and reduce the damp conditions that contribute to musty smells.
Watch the video (on the right) to see what goes into installing our waterproofing system at a glance.
Find Out What's Causing The Smell
Don't let musty odors consume your home. Schedule your free basement inspection and we'll send out a basement specialist to identify the source of the problem, explain your options, and provide an honest estimate.
Your family deserves clean, healthy air → Call to schedule your FREE inspection today!
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