Construction & Contractors Blog
If you have a home that is on a crawlspace or basement, moisture is a constant problem. It does not even have to be an obvious waterproofing problem to cause the musty, damp basement smell that many homes have. There are some things that you can do to combat the smell of moisture in your basement, such as improving basement drainage systems, adding ventilation and repairing any foundation damage. Here are four things that you can do to get rid of that musty dungeon smell in your basement:
1. Improving Basement Drainage Systems To Remove Moisture
One of the major causes of the humid smells in basements is poor drainage. Even if you do not have any leaks in your basement, water can find its way in. It can be condensation on walls and humidity. If this moisture does not have a place to go, it can cause the odors. Improving your basement drainage system is a great way to deal with the moisture and odors. It will give moisture a place to go and keep it out of your basement by using a sump pump to remove it.
2. Repairing Small And Large Foundation Leaks In The Basement
Sometimes that damage in basement waterproofing is not very noticeable. It can be something like a small crack in the wall or penetrations from mechanicals that cause your basement to leak. When you are doing repairs to your basement, you can have the foundation checked for any small problems that need to be repaired. Having these repairs done will prevent odors, as well as prevent larger problems later that can lead to costly repairs.
3. Using Non-Absorbent Materials To Finish Your Basement
You may choose water-resistant materials to finish your basement, which can help prevent water damage. When choosing these materials, you may also want to look for materials that are non-absorbent such as vinyl wall coverings. You can also use flooring like tiles with a smooth finish or epoxy coated concrete to prevent moisture from building up in these materials and causing odors.
4. Installing An Air Filtration System To Remove Odors In The Basement
Even when you do as much as you can to get moisture out of your basement, there may still be an odor. Some of this is due to the poor ventilation that basements have. To help with this, you may want to have an air purifier installed in the air conditioning of your basement. This can help to improve the air quality in your basement and prevent the stagnant water smells, as well as give your basement better ventilation.
These are some of the things that you can do to combat the musty, moist smells in your basement. If your basement has this problem, contact a water damage repair contractor and ask them about using some of these solutions to get that damp dungeon smell out of your home. (For more information, contact Complete Restoration Services or another company)
Share16 April 2015
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
