Hello,
I’m having some trouble with a musty smell in the basement of our house. Here are some specifics. Built 1941, wood frame, 1-1/2 story, aluminium siding over tar-paper gypsum sheathing, forced air gas furnace, washer / dryer in basement, washer drains into floor drain with air gap, basement is completely unfinished, poured concrete foundation extends 2′ over grade. Whew. Anybody got ideas about how to get rid of smell / moisture problem?
Thanks
Matt
Replies
Ventilate/dehumidify.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
This will likely not apply in your situation and the suggested dehumidification will resolve the problem, but…………………there's a house near here that I was called to investigate some years ago. Horrible musty odors permeated the house year- round.
Although difficult under the circumstances, my nose finally led me to the source of the problem, which had evidently been in place for some time. Why someone hadn't done something about it years before is beyond me.
Anyway, the house was built about the same time as yours. Materials were scarce due to the war effort. Whatever was at hand was used. Consequently, some large shelving units were built in the basement with wood from used ammunition crates. The damp basement conditions only amplified things. Stunk to high heaven.
Shelves gone, smell gone.
Warm water from the washer will activate the smell in the floor drain, especially if it doesnt have a trap.