Just bought house. Built 1925, oil heat, feels damp and smells like an old cellar. Has 3 windows, but they are always closed for security, may replace with some type of jalasee window so I can get ventilation all the time without rain coming in. Has drain in floor of basement because garage downslopes to basement so water can run into it during rain. Could the smell be coming from the drain? I rally can’t tell it doesn’t seem to be sewer smell, just old musty smell. Any help would be appreciated I am not sure where to start. Thanks. Joe
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The musty smell is from must, that is, mold and mildew. The basement feels damp and smells like an old cellar because it's damp and is an old cellar.
It's a normal situation for an old cellar. All homes have mold and mildew to some extent. It will be noticeable so long as you have moisture in your basement. Since water runs from the garage through the basement, there is no easy way to clear it up.
In the summertime, opening windows can actually make it worse. That's because the warm, humid air hits cold surfaces in the basement, and the moisture sweats out on them, keeping them damp.
If you want to reduce the smell, you have to stop the moisture. That could be difficult, involving perhaps eliminating all drainage into the basement, dampproofing the walls, insulating between the joists along the outside walls, waterproofing the foundation exterior, and dehumidification. Airing it out and dehumidification are not much help by themselves. You'd have to eliminate moisture from getting in in the first place.
Additional tips on handling basement odors:
If possible, scrub down any masonry, rock, cement, etc. with a bleach solution (about a 1:10 mix). This helps kill off mildew and mold. It may lightly bleach surfaces, so if the color matters, test a small area first! And please wear an appropriate respirator for particulate - dust is dust, and mold spores, while not always an allergan, are a particle which your lungs do not need to breathe in.
I had a fire restoration company powerwash the basement of my condo before I moved in because the previous owner had dogs which had left a few territory marks in the basement. This made a vast improvement in odors.
If there are organic source odors - ex. pet odors - you may find some of the enzyme products at the local pet store helpful in eliminating them.
While you identify and deal with moisture problems, you may also want to use baking soda or activated charcoal in trays to neutralize some of the odor. It works just like in the refrigerator - replace every three months or as needed.
Good luck!
BJ