I live in a cape from the 1920s, and while the downstairs stays pleasantly cool all year, the upstairs turns into a scorching heat trap in the summer. Unfortunately, two of my upstairs rooms develop a terrible, musty smell during hot weather—almost like an old person's odor. I've tried everything: running air purifiers, scrubbing the walls and floors, and placing bowls of baking soda and vinegar, but nothing seems to work! I'm looking for any advice or experiences that might help me figure out what's causing this smell. Has anyone else dealt with something similar?
3 Answers
You might want to check if the smell is coming from the attic. Given how old your house is, the attic might not have proper ventilation, which can cause musty odors to seep down into the rooms below. It’s definitely worth climbing up there and investigating!
You should definitely get a Quiet Cool house fan! They can be life-changing for airflow and can help eliminate musty smells by keeping the air moving. It’s not the same as central air, but it could really help you out!
Is that kind of fan expensive? I don’t have central air either, so I’m curious about how it works.
I had a similar issue in my grandparents' old house during summer, and it always had a distinct smell up there. If the smell bothers you, consider looking into insulation for your attic. It’s not too difficult to do if you have access, and Rockwool insulation works great without the itchiness of fiberglass. Plus, you might get some tax credits if you upgrade your insulation!
Yeah, I hadn't thought about the attic! I rarely go up there, so I'll have to get a ladder and take a look for sure.