Basements do not always smell nice. If your home has a basement, it is the single most likely place for water damage and related unpleasantness to occur. This is because your basement is close to the water table, close to buried pipes, and also the most “downhill” for any water that invades your home. It’s no surprise that basements tend to be damp and emit musty smells.
However, you don’t have to live with a smelly basement if you know how to prevent that smell from occurring. At Maffei Services, we are specialists at the unique challenges of basement moisture and at solving the root causes of those common unpleasant odors. We’re here to share the top three ways to get rid of musty smells from your basement.
How to Remove Musty Smells from Basement
Basements tend to develop a smell when allowed to stay moist. Mold and mildew love moist materials, especially in dark protected places like your basement. If you want to get rid of the smell, get rid of the moisture. The top three ways to remove musty smells from your basement take the problem to its source.
1. Install a Sump Pump
If your basement is near the water table, this can mean water starts to pool up below the foundation and will saturate your concrete, stone, or other basement materials until mold starts to grow. One of the best ways to keep that moisture at bay is with a sump pump. A “sump” is a low space in your foundation that collects undesirable liquids. In this case, it is an intentional hole in your foundation where water pools. A sump pump will pump out that water and effectively lower the water table below your basement, which can keep your basement dry and must-free.
Maffei can help you install a sump pump in your basement based on the particular conditions and needs of your home and how the water table affects basement moisture.
2. Get a Dehumidifier
If moisture is pervasive, if it forms in droplets on the walls or seeps in from the soil all around, then the best answer is a basement dehumidifier. Rather than trying to stop the source of humidity, you can simply lower the humidity directly within your basement.
If your home has consistent humidity concerns, a whole-house humidification and dehumidification system can allow you to take control, just as you have with heating and cooling. This can help you remove moisture from the basement during wet seasons and even reintroduce moisture into the home in the winter when the air is driest, while also adding another layer of air filtration. A system like this will both freshen your basement and improve the air quality throughout your house, and can be easily implemented by Maffei’s expert HVAC teams.
For further information regarding expert HVAC services like adding a whole-house dehumidifier, call and speak with the helpful and friendly team at Maffei Services today.
3. Fix Clogged Sewer & Water Lines
If the bad smell is more noxious than musty, it might be a sewage smell. Basements are the most prone to sewer exposure because they are down with the buried pipes. If a root has cracked your sewer pipes or if there is a clog causing a partial sewer backup, the plumbing experts at Maffei Services can help to fix the issue before it becomes a health risk to your home. We will diagnose a sewage smell and get to the root of the problem – clearing clogs or enacting repairs so that the smell recedes and your home is safe.
Keep Your Basement from Getting Musty with Maffei Services
Maffei Services offers expert residential plumbing and HVAC services throughout Essex County, MA and southern NH. If you are experiencing musty smells in your basement, contact Maffei Services for help today.
