Your Basement Stinks!
What You Can Do If Your Cellar's a Smeller!If you’ve ever spent time in a stuffy, musty basement you don’t need anyone to tell you how unpleasant the smell can be. Worse than dirty gym socks, worse than rotten eggs, worse than…well, there aren’t many things that smell worse. A smelly basement is especially problematic for homeowners who want to use their basement as additional living space for a den, extra bedroom, or entertainment room -- or if you're looking to sell your home.
Where is That Basement Smell Coming From?
Usually, bad basement smells come from humidity and moisture that comes up from the ground. Because the basement is below ground level, this moisture never really goes away and just keeps accumulating. Mold and fungus grow and spread, causing the unpleasant smells. The only way to permanently get rid of odors is to get rid of the moisture.
While totally removing moisture and condensation from your basement is not realistic, there are plenty of steps you can take to dramatically reduce the amount of moisture entering the space and eradicate that horrible musty basement smell.
Cover Sources of Basement Moisture
Dirt that is left exposed will attract moisture, which then seeps into your basement through the foundation and leaves behind a nasty smell. You can try to fix this problem by covering the dirt around the outside of your home with plastic sheeting, mulch, or gravel. This should help block some of the moisture and improve the smell in your basement.
Exposed water pipes may get cold and collect condensation, allowing moisture to build up. Insulating pipes in and around the basement can really help reduce moisture and tamp down the smell.
Turn Up the Heat
Moisture and heat generally do not get along. One of the best ways to eliminate excess condensation in your basement is to crank up the heat. If your home’s HVAC system doesn’t have a control for the basement, you can try one of these alternatives:
- Open basement window curtains to let warming sunshine in during the day. Shut them at night to hold heat in and prevent overnight condensation when temperatures drop.
- If your boiler or furnace is located in a separate basement room, leave the door open to allow heat from the unit to raise the temperature in the rest of the space.
- Place a small space heater in the basement and run it whenever someone is home. Even a few hours of extra heat can make a big difference.
Air It Out
Improving air circulation through your basement can help dry up moisture and get rid of bad smells. Installing an exhaust fan in the basement is a good idea, as is running a simple standing or box fan. In pleasant weather, open basement windows to let fresh air into the room. And putting your laundry dryer in the basement, with the outgoing air vent directed out of the basement, can also help improve air flow and dry the air.
Dehumidify Your Basement
Perhaps the most effective way to eliminate moisture from a musty, moldy basement is to get a dehumidifier. These devices pull moisture from the air, collecting water in a built-in reservoir. Empty the basin regularly and you’ll have a fresher, more pleasant basement.
Install a Sump Pump In Your Basement
If your foundation rests over a well or water table and if your basement is prone to dampness, groundwater leaking and flooding, consider installing a sump pump in your basement. Sump pumps funnel and collect basement moisture in a pit dug into the foundation and pump it out of your home. A Horizon Services plumbing technician can recommend and install a sump pump system that's ideal for your basement.
Could It Be Your Sewer or Water Lines?
Is the smell especially foul? The source could be sewage waste slowly seeping into your basement due to obstructions in or damage to your main sewer and water lines leading out of your house. Over time, these lines can rsdily clog up with waste; crack, bend or break; or even be penetrated by creeping roots from trees and shrubs. This can cause sewage to back up into your home or seep your yard and foundation into your basement.
One sure sign of sewer and water line problems, besides the smell, is if water does not flow easily down your toilet, sinks or tubs, or makes unusual gurgling, bubbling sounds when it does. If you suspect such a problem, don't delay: call a professional sewer & water line repair/replacement contractor like Horizon Services. If left untreated, the problem could result in a major backup of sewage waste into your home; this is not only extremely unsanitary, it can result in permanent damage to floors, carpets and other parts of your home.
Related Information from Horizon Services...
- Horizon Plumbing Services
- Horizon Sewer & Water Line Replacement Services
- Make Sure You're Covered for Sewer Backups
- Keep Your Home Free from Mold and Mildew
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- Home Sewer Line and Drain Disaster Prevention
- Common Sump Pump Problems Solved
- Got Mold?
- Common Drain, Sewer and Water Line Problems
- Do You Need a Sewer Line Replacement?
- Your Guide to Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
- Get to Know Your Sump Pump!
- Choosing the Right Humidifier for Your Home
- Prevent Frozen Pipes Now!
Common Sump Pump Problems Solved
There IS Sump-thing You Can Do About Your Sump Pump!The upshot is we have some of the moistest soil in the world. It's inevitable that some of that moisture is going to find its way into your basement, especially during the rainy season or after a snow-melt. A sump pump is one of the most reliable means for removing excess water and keeping your basement dry. But sump pumps also pose a number of problems for homeowners. Here are some of the most common sump pump problems you may experience and some of the things you can do to fix, prevent or minimize.
Sump Pump Odor
A sump pump has a drain trap that holds water in order to prevent sewage and gas from backing up into your home. If the water in the drain evaporates—typically due to unusually dry weather—this releases those unpleasant gases, causing a distinct odor. To prevent foul sump pump odors, make sure there is always water in the trap. As long as the water is high enough to cover pipes and drain lines, you should not have a problem with bad smells. You can also use a bleach solution—approximately one cup of bleach per gallon of water—to disinfect the drain. Pour the solution high enough so that the float switch engages. You can try scrubbing the sides of the trap basin, as well.
Sump Pump Not Running
Make sure the sump pump unit is plugged in. Though this seems basic, it is not uncommon for the sump pump plug to get disconnected as the unit vibrates and responds to water flow. Next, check for blown fuses. Major appliances like furnaces and sump pumps are usually on their own circuits, so make sure the breaker is turned on. Look for the sump pump's GFI switch to see if that has been tripped. If you’ve had dry weather for a few weeks or the water level in the basin seems lower than normal, the sump pump might not be running because it hasn’t been primed. Pour some water down into the well to activate the system.
Sump Pump Not Removing Water
When your sump pump runs but isn’t moving any water, the problem could lie with the float. Check to see if the float is stuck. Then lift it out, remove the outer case, and clear the screen. Debris often settles at the bottom of the sump basin and can get trapped, which impedes the float device. You might try placing the float up on bricks or cinder blocks so it is not resting directly on the well floor. If none of this helps, you may need to call a professional to check for clogs or blockages somewhere else in the system.
Sump Pump Power Outage
Sump pumps run on electricity, so a power outage could impact your unit. It’s wise to invest in a battery back-up, a gel pack system that provides power to the sump pump for days without any input from your home’s main electrical source. These are a great idea if you plan to be out of town, as there’s nothing worse than returning from vacation to a home that’s been flooded.
Wrong Size Sump Pump
Improper installation and sizing is also another leading cause of sump pump problems. Always used licensed contractors to do any kind of installation work. Not only are they trained to install, service, and repair sump pump units properly, but you’ll have a guarantee of work in case something goes wrong with your sump pump.
Call Horizon Services with Your Sump Pump Questions!
Simple sump pump problems can quickly grow into big ones. If you're uncomfortable addressing sump pump problems on your own or if you've tried to fix your sump pump to no avail, make it easy on yourself and call the plumbing and sump pump professionals at Horizon Services. Be sure to have the necessary information ready: manufacturer’s make and model number, warranty information, and any diagnostics or simple fixes you’ve tried on your own. We can arrive at your home in no time to repair your sump pump or, if necessary, get you set up with a new sump pump.
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