Musty smell in the basement
Be careful if you notice that there is a musty smell in the basement, as this smell is almost always a sign of moisture. It could be the first sign of structural damage.
Reasons why a musty smell arises
What is referred to as a musty smell is usually a mixture of damp building materials, Mould- and mold stains, you have to find the causes, this is important:
- All cellars are prone to moisture, which does not have to get into the cellar through damage to the masonry. Possible other reasons are wrong Ventilation, damp objects that are stored or that laundry is dried there without adequate ventilation. If the cellar is very full, there can also be a musty smell because the air cannot circulate in the room when it is ventilated. This smell can also arise with proper ventilation, if you only store dry things there.
- It is worse when there is an ascending problem humidity or damage to the masonry or the seal against moisture. You must find and eliminate this cause under all circumstances.
- Often the smell also arises after a basement renovation. Older buildings in particular often do not have a tight basement. But these are unplastered and have a clay or sandy bottom. Penetrating moisture evaporates and escapes through cracks in leaky cellar windows. After the renovation, the floor is usually with Tiles sealed, the walls plastered and painted. the window are mostly replaced by tight windows during the measures. Now you have a problem, because behind paint, plaster and tiles, moisture penetrating from the outside works. If it gets into the room, it cannot escape. You will need to put in good and comprehensive waterproofing and probably other floor and wall coverings. Otherwise you will not get the musty smell in this case.
Measures against odor in the basement
Do not use tricks such as setting up bowls of vinegar or sprinkling baking soda over and over again. This can bind the odor, but you need to find the cause and eliminate it:
If a cellar smells musty, there can of course be many reasons. Read here ...
- Empty the basement room by room. If possible, throw away anything that smells musty. Sometimes that's enough. If the smell was caused by damp things or improper ventilation, you might be in luck.
- Examine the walls and floor for mold and mildew stains. Eliminate this. It can only be done professionally if you completely knock off the affected areas and dispose of the rubble. Washing up or mold-killing agents are not a permanent solution, because the mold usually sits deep in the plaster.
- Thoroughly ventilate the basement. The rule is that when it's cold, the windows are open. Often it is aired during the day and the windows are closed at night. This is how you bring the problem into your home. The warm air of the day cools down in the cellar and condenses as moisture. This also creates a musty smell.
- See if venting solves the problem. If in doubt, always ask a specialist which remedial measures are necessary. Ventilation is not sufficient if the masonry or the waterproofing is damaged.
- After completing the measures, clear the basement again. But make sure that rooms are not cluttered and that there is a gap between them and the walls. The air must be able to circulate in the cellar.
If you ventilate sufficiently and only dry laundry when there is sufficient ventilation, there should no longer be a musty smell in the basement. If prospective buyers notice this smell in the basement, think about what may happen to you.
