How to Get Rid of Basement Odor
Bad odors in a basement are most commonly the result of water either around the foundation or water that has seeped into the cracks in the foundation and is causing mold and mildew. You can get rid of the bad odor in a basement in a number of ways, beginning with the very simple to calling a professional. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Causes of Basement Odors
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Check the gutters and outdoor drain systems on your house as a possible cause of mold odor in the basement. Gutters can become clogged with leaves and debris and prevent rain from moving away from the house. If you live in a very heavily forested area, clean your gutters more frequently--at least 3 or 4 times a year. Run water down clean gutters to ensure they have no obstructions. Simply cleaning the gutters can get rid of basement odors.
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Use a dehumidifier in your basement if mold and mildew stains are visible in the basement. A dehumidifier is a machine that takes condensation out of the air and will make basement air drier. You can also find moisture-absorbing products in a variety of convenient sizes and purposes to place or hang just about anywhere in the basement. These products immediately work to dry the air in a small area of the basement like a laundry room.
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Check basement plumbing fixtures, like toilets and shower drains and sinks, for infrequently used sources that may be causing an odor. Small rodents can climb into outdoor dryer vents and die. Check around washer and dryer appliances housed in the basement to ensure no dead critters are causing an odor.
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Pull up old wall-to-wall carpet from your basement floor. There may be years of damp, heavy mold and mildew or pet urine stains embedded in the pad of the carpet. Clean and mop the floor with a heavy duty cleaner like Simple Green.
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Start adding a product like Rid-X to your septic system if the basement smell is putrid rather than stale. If your septic system is experiencing a buildup of organic matter, these living organisms can create strong odors in the basement as a prelude to a total breakdown of the system. Septic tanks have several layers of organic matter containing billions of microorganisms. The uppermost of these layers is methane gas.
Even sewer systems can give off gas odors that can travel back into a private home. Call your local waste management company, and ask for a test if you suspect the smell in your basement is sewer gas.
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