DavidInRI
July 22nd, 2008, 01:08 PM
Hello,
My sister wants me to add vents to her newer basement to stop a "moofy" smell. Kind of almost like wet cardboard smell, but there is no sign of mold.
This is a fairly new basement. They had a back porch that was screened in, then later was extended out away from the house and turned into a rec room. The original part of the porch does not have a basement, the extended portion does. So, it's almost a free-standing basement where no walls connect to other house walls. The ceiling of the new basement is the floor of the extended part of the addition.
Here are some other specs.
- Approximately 20(L) x 10(w) x 7(h).
- No windows, vents, or screen door. Just a standard outside entry door.
- Entry is one standard size door at ground level. One step up to door, then a 1/2 dozen steps down into the basement.
- Small standard roof peak over door.
- Walls and floor are cement (non-finished)
- 1 1/2' x 1 1/2' hole in floor in back corner with sump pump to handle water table.
There is no ventilation in this room except for what may seep through cracks and crevasses. Right now, in the summer it's cool and dry and the winter is not extremely cold. So the only issue here is the smell and it affects things that are stored there, like clothing.
I'm concerned that if I add vents I'll be letting the outside in (e.g. humidity, weather, bugs, etc.) adding more problems. I suppose I could try a dehumidifier, but this basement is seldom used and I'm concerned it won't be checked up on regularly.
What do you suggest? I can take some digital pics if needed.
Thanks,
David
My sister wants me to add vents to her newer basement to stop a "moofy" smell. Kind of almost like wet cardboard smell, but there is no sign of mold.
This is a fairly new basement. They had a back porch that was screened in, then later was extended out away from the house and turned into a rec room. The original part of the porch does not have a basement, the extended portion does. So, it's almost a free-standing basement where no walls connect to other house walls. The ceiling of the new basement is the floor of the extended part of the addition.
Here are some other specs.
- Approximately 20(L) x 10(w) x 7(h).
- No windows, vents, or screen door. Just a standard outside entry door.
- Entry is one standard size door at ground level. One step up to door, then a 1/2 dozen steps down into the basement.
- Small standard roof peak over door.
- Walls and floor are cement (non-finished)
- 1 1/2' x 1 1/2' hole in floor in back corner with sump pump to handle water table.
There is no ventilation in this room except for what may seep through cracks and crevasses. Right now, in the summer it's cool and dry and the winter is not extremely cold. So the only issue here is the smell and it affects things that are stored there, like clothing.
I'm concerned that if I add vents I'll be letting the outside in (e.g. humidity, weather, bugs, etc.) adding more problems. I suppose I could try a dehumidifier, but this basement is seldom used and I'm concerned it won't be checked up on regularly.
What do you suggest? I can take some digital pics if needed.
Thanks,
David