How to Eliminate Musty Basement Odor

To eliminate musty basement odor, it is necessary to seal moisture OUT of the area.

Musty odors are caused by mildew, which grows and thrives in damp or wet locations. In order to successfully eliminate musty odors, the root causes must be dealt with.

Things You'll Need

• As noted in text

Instructions

1. The truth of the matter:
   There are many products that promise to help get rid of musty odors. Some of these might help to minimize odor using absorbent substances, others attempt to cover up odors with chemical sprays or diffusion of perfumes.

2. Root-cause analysis:
   Basement dampness is frequently caused by ground water working its way around and under the concrete walls and floor of a foundation, and ultimately into the basement itself. Foundations are rarely, if ever, completely damp-proof, unless special measures are taken to accomplish that; either at the time of building, or after the fact.

   Because elimination of basement dampness is important for eliminating the odor-causing mildew, every precaution must be taken to ensure that dampness stays outside the foundation walls and floor.

   Other causes of dampness, thus mold and mildew, can be related to high humidity weather conditions, especially true in hot, humid climates.

3. Buy a de-humidifier:
   A good de-humidifier is a must if your basement area is prone to dampness or high humidity. Get one that has a drain hose if you have a place where you can let the moisture the de-humidifier takes out of the air flow to. Otherwise, try to get one with a large enough reservoir so you don't have to empty it every day.

4. Prep and clean:
   Locate and clean areas where mildew has grown. Get rid of damp carpeting, wood, etc. Mildew is easily cleaned and removed with standard chlorine bleach. White vinegar is also said to remove mildew.
   Note: Mold and mildew might trigger reactions in some people. If you know you are sensitive to such things, you might need to hire professionals to handle that.

5. Outside:
   o Extend gutter downspouts six feet from foundation walls.
   o Ensure that the ground slopes away from the foundation.
   o Eliminate any areas where water may collect near foundation windows or doors. Regrade soil if necessary.

6. Inside:
   o Seal all cracks in walls and floor with a hydraulic cement, following manufacturer's instructions.
   o Caulk all corner joints between walls and floor with a caulking material designed for sealing concrete, and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
   o Apply a waterproofing sealant on the walls and floor according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• It is also good to have cross ventilation in basements where possible.

• Read and follow all manufacturers' recommendations, guidelines and instructions for safe use, handling and installation of products, equipment and tools.

• Mold or mildew might be harmful to health, especially for some individuals. Research into safe practices. Hire professionals if necessary.

Resources

• Quing-It.com-Product Ingredient Information