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how to get rid of basement smell detail
guide
the smell of mold and mildew
not exactly the kind you want wafting up
from your basement
if your basement smells like a cross
between a swamp and a locker room don't
worry
this video will provide you with a
step-by-step guide on how to get rid of
basement smell
but first one of the tools and materials
you'll need to complete this task
for the full list and where to get them
check the description and pin comment
below
now that you have all your tools and
materials ready let's get rid of that
awful smell
get rid of it
identify the source of the smell
first take a deep breath and try to
pinpoint where the smell is coming from
if it's a musty damp smell chances are
there's a moisture problem in your
basement
if it's a more pungent smell like
something rotting or decaying there
could be a dead animal or sewage backup
once you've identified the type of smell
it's time to start investigating
here are some steps to follow
look for signs of leaks or water damage
check your pipes water heater and any
other plumbing fixtures in your basement
for leaks or drips
if you see any signs of water damage or
dampness there could be a leak somewhere
that's causing the smell
in addition look for any areas in your
basement that are discolored warped or
soft to the touch
these could be signs of water damage
which can lead to mold and mildew growth
inspect for mold and mildew
look for any signs of mold or mildew on
your walls ceilings and Floors
these could be black green or white
spots or patches
if you see any it's important to address
the problem right away as mold can be
harmful to your health
identify areas that need Sealing
look for any cracks holes or gaps in
your basement walls or floors that may
be allowing moisture to enter
seal these areas with a waterproofing
membrane or coating
we'll discuss how to do this in detail
later
fix any leaks or water damage
if you've identified a leak or water
damage is the source of the smell it's
important to address it as soon as
possible to prevent further damage and
potential health hazards
depending on the severity of the leak or
water damage you may need to do some
repairs or replace damaged materials
if the leak is something you can fix do
it right away
however if it's complex call a plumber
to fix it
clean the area thoroughly
this will help remove any odor causing
particles and leave your basement
smelling fresh and clean
use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
to remove any dirt dust or debris
a HEPA filter is important because it
captures tiny particles that can cause
allergies or other health issues
vacuum the walls floors and any other
surfaces in your basement
pay special attention to Corners
crevices and areas behind furniture or
appliances
mix a few tablespoons of detergent with
a gallon of warm water
you can use any mild cleaner such as
dish soap or laundry detergent
damp and a sponge or mop with a mixture
and use it to scrub the walls floors and
any other surfaces
next use a clean sponge or mop to rinse
away any soap residue
make sure to ring out the sponge or mop
frequently so you're not just spreading
dirty water around
finally use a clean towel or mop to dry
the surfaces as much as possible
treat any mold or mildew
mold and mildew are common causes of
basement smells
therefore it's important to address any
growth you find
mold can be hazardous to your health so
it's important to wear protective gear
when cleaning it up
this includes gloves goggles and a mask
to protect your eyes skin and lungs
once you are geared up mix a solution of
white vinegar and water
you can use a ratio of one part of
vinegar to three parts of water
be sure to mix the solution in a well
ventilated area and avoid splashing or
spilling it
use a sponge or spray bottle to apply
the vinegar solution to The Moldy areas
make sure to saturate the affected areas
completely and let the solution sit for
15 to 20 minutes
next use a scrub brush for sponge to
scrub away any visible mold or mildew
rinse the area with clean water and let
it dry completely
if you prefer not to use vinegar you can
use a commercial mold remover instead
be sure to follow the manufacturer's
instructions carefully
if any materials in your basement are
severely affected by mold or mildew such
as carpet or drywall they may need to be
removed and replaced
allow the area to dry completely
after you've cleaned and treated any
mold or mildew in your basement allow
the area to dry completely to prevent
any future growth or musty smells
therefore open windows or doors if
possible and use fans to help dry out
any damp areas
you can use box fans ceiling fans or
standing fans to help circulate the air
consider using a dehumidifier
a dehumidifier is a device that removes
moisture from the air thereby helping
prevent future mold growth
use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity
levels in your basement
ideally you want the humidity to be
below 50 percent
if the humidity is higher continue using
fans and a dehumidifier until it reaches
an acceptable level
be patient and avoid using the area
until it's completely dry
use an odor absorber
you may still notice the lingering Rusty
smell after following the steps we've
shared so far
in this case using an odor absorber can
help to eliminate any remaining odors
you'll need to choose an odor absorber
activated charcoal and baking soda are
both effective odor absorbers that can
be used in your basement
activated charcoal is especially good at
absorbing musty odors while baking soda
is great for absorbing a variety of
odors
once you've chosen your older absorber
place it in the area where the smell is
coming from
you can use an open container or mesh
bag to hold the odor absorber
place the container or bag in a central
location in the room
depending on the severity of the smell
you may need to replace the odor
absorber every few days or every few
weeks
check the odor absorber regularly to see
if it needs to be replaced
use an air purifier
if you've tried cleaning treating mold
and using an odor absorber but still
notice the lingering smell in your
basement using an air purifier can help
improve air quality and eliminate any
remaining odors
if you don't have one already ensure
that you get an air purifier with a HEPA
filter and an activated carbon filter
such air purifiers are the most
effective at removing odors and Airborne
particles
you can also choose between portable and
whole house air purifiers depending on
the size of your basement and your
specific needs
portable air purifiers can be placed on
a shelf or table while whole house air
purifiers are typically installed by a
professional
to keep your basement smelling fresh and
improve air quality run the air purifier
regularly
depending on the size of your basement
and the air purifier you've chosen you
may need to run it continuously or for
several hours each day
consider using an ozone generator
an ozone generator can be a powerful
tool for eliminating strong odors in
your basement
ozone is a gas that is created when
oxygen molecules are split into
individual atoms and it's a powerful
oxidant that can break down and
neutralize odors
When selecting an ozone generator to get
rid of basement smell look for a high
quality ozone generator with a timer and
an adjustable output level
in addition choose a generator that is
appropriate for the size of your
basement
using a generator that is too small may
not be effective while using one that is
too large can be dangerous
before using the ozone generator make
sure that the area is unoccupied and
that all living things including pets
and plants have been removed
this is important because ozone can be
harmful to humans pets and even plants
in addition cover any sensitive
electronic equipment or materials with
plastic sheeting
this will protect them from potential
damage
follow the manufacturer's instructions
to set up the ozone generator in your
basement
ensure you place it in a central
location so that the ozone is evenly
distributed throughout the space
set the timer and output level according
to the manufacturer's instructions and
turn on the ozone generator
leave the area and let the generator run
for the recommended amount of time
after the generator is Run for the
recommended amount of time turn it off
and ventilate the area by opening
Windows and using fans to circulate
fresh air
make sure that you let the ozone
dissipate completely before returning to
the area
consider sealing your basement
sealing your basement can be an
effective way to prevent moisture from
seeping in and causing odors
after identifying the areas that need
sealing you need to prepare the surface
first
make sure the surface is clean and dry
remove any dirt dust or debris and use a
dehumidifier if necessary to dry out any
damp areas
the next step is to apply the
waterproofing product
there are several types of waterproofing
products available including membranes
Coatings and sealants
choose a product that is appropriate for
your specific needs and follow the
manufacturer's instructions for
application
after applying the waterproofing product
allow it to dry completely before using
the area
keep the area clean and dry
keeping your basement clean and dry is
an essential step in preventing
unpleasant odors from returning
here are some steps you can take
regular cleaning
make it a habit to clean your basement
regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt
dust and debris
sweep or vacuum the floors and wipe down
any surfaces to keep them clean
address any water issues
keep an eye out for any water leaks or
damage and address them promptly
repairing leaks sealing cracks or
waterproofing your basement can help
prevent moisture from seeping in and
causing mold and mildew
use a dehumidifier
if your basement tends to be damp a
dehumidifier can help keep the air dry
and prevent mold growth
place it in a central location and run
it regularly to keep the humidity level
in check
maintain good ventilation
proper ventilation can help keep your
basement dry and prevent the buildup of
odors
make sure your basement has Windows or
vents that can be open to allow fresh
air to circulate
keep it clutter free
avoid storing unnecessary items in your
basement as they can accumulate dust and
moisture and contribute to the buildup
of odors
keep the space clutter free and well
organized
thank you for watching my video
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