I think I have mold in my basement, a smell I can't place to anything other than possible mold. No visible signs of mold, so do I have to tear down walls to find it? Will a de-humidifer help?
2006-09-12 13:57:57 · 8 answers · asked by Rob W 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thank you. One more thing. Smell is coming from top of stairs going into basement. Smell is no where else in basement.
2006-09-12 14:09:02 · update #1
A dehumidifier will definitely help for mold. - Don't go cheap, get something that will handle the sq/ft of your basement. Water is the catalyst, so make sure the machine empties into a sump somewhere.
Other Worries?
Could it be sewer gas? Dead squirrel? Is there a broken pipe in a wall chase that could be leaking then feeding the mold?
2006-09-12 14:03:10 · answer #1 · answered by TiM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be just mildew they smell very similar. Yes a dehumidifier will help. This time of year a lot of condensation collects in basements just from the changing seasons. Do you have trim? If so, peel one piece of trim off (floor level) and double check for mold. Most likely this is where it would grow first. Clean with pure bleach it is the best to kill mold if that is what it is. Paint trim with kills.
2006-09-12 14:07:30 · answer #2 · answered by brunette 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ummm so many questions here that are odd... ok first off i dont agree with your assessment saying that you "think" it might be mold.....for many reasons. usually if you have mold, you see it, and it keeps spreading! Also mold is usually near moisture of some sort. since I believe most houses the "top of stairs" does not qualify as near any moisture, I doubt thats it. However you never mentioned what type of basement. Is it finished off? does it have a ceiling? do you use a dryer in the basement and its not vented properly? Do you have a sump pump? Many odors could come from other things, such as sewer gases, or a dead mouse or animal in the ceiling...
2006-09-16 08:43:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Start with a de-humidifier. If the smell persists start looking for maybe a dead animal. If it is a dead animal the smell will go away in a few days. Mold doesn't really have a smell to it unless the smell is like a musty odor the de-humidifier will take care of that.
2006-09-12 14:05:16 · answer #4 · answered by Nitengale 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you notice the smell at the top of the stairs when exiting the basement or just when entering the basement? (you may just be used to the odor by the time you leave!)
A dehumidifier will definitely help!
2006-09-12 15:11:32 · answer #5 · answered by fibreglasscar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes a de-humidifer will help. Be sure to drain it everyday. Most likely you will 2 times a day.
2006-09-12 14:00:01 · answer #6 · answered by Josh S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a proffesional, that sh** will kill you or make you real sick.
If you go for the de-humidifier that might help, but I think you would be taking a risk.
2006-09-12 13:59:35 · answer #7 · answered by big-brother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get that checked people get sick and die from that nasty ****
2006-09-12 14:03:38 · answer #8 · answered by jimtheglassmaster 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋