musty basement
07-20-2010, 04:27 AM
#4
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Metro West, Massachusetts
Posts: 254
Originally Posted by jcrilley
Are the walls painted? That seemed to cut moisture drastically when we did that to our block wall basement. Get the right paint and be prepared to WORK!
07-20-2010, 04:33 AM
#5
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,395
To help with the smell, you can try the Cirtus Magic solid room deodorizers. Their website is http://www.citrusmagic.com
07-20-2010, 05:05 AM
#7
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Holland, PA
Posts: 4,157
If your walls have been painted/sealed with that special sealer paint & you are running a dehumidifier, your basement should be dry. Also, make sure your landscaping on the outside of the house drains away from the basement walls. Your downspouts - if not underground, should have extenders on them to get the water away from the foundation.
07-20-2010, 05:45 AM
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PROFESSIONAL Longarm Quilter NW Indiana
Posts: 3,400
How OLD is your dehumidifier? Is it sized for the area?
This year I purchased a NEW dehumidifier because the basement smelled musty with the OLD one running 24/7. I'm sure it was not energy efficient.
The new (pretty large capacity) one cost about $170. I have it set on 70% humidity (it takes out more humidity but I don't need it). I have a hose hooked up to the output drain so I never have to empty the container.
You may also want to try running a box fan. Put it on a timer that has multiple settings. Schedule it to go on for 4 hours and off for 4 hours, etc. That should keep the air moving without running up your electric bill too much.
I agree with the checking the drainage issue outside. I've never heard of painting the walls but others recommend it from experience.
Good luck - let us know what you do. A nice smelling basement helps the entire house smell clean and be healthier!
This year I purchased a NEW dehumidifier because the basement smelled musty with the OLD one running 24/7. I'm sure it was not energy efficient.
The new (pretty large capacity) one cost about $170. I have it set on 70% humidity (it takes out more humidity but I don't need it). I have a hose hooked up to the output drain so I never have to empty the container.
You may also want to try running a box fan. Put it on a timer that has multiple settings. Schedule it to go on for 4 hours and off for 4 hours, etc. That should keep the air moving without running up your electric bill too much.
I agree with the checking the drainage issue outside. I've never heard of painting the walls but others recommend it from experience.
Good luck - let us know what you do. A nice smelling basement helps the entire house smell clean and be healthier!
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