Hey folks! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the dampness in my partially finished basement of our 1939 house. The stone walls have some damp spots in the unfinished part, which connects to a crawl space. After having friends stay there, they experienced sore throats and sinus issues, which makes me suspect the air quality is being affected by the moisture. We're on a tight budget, so I'm concerned about how costly these fixes might be. I could really use some advice from anyone who's faced similar problems:
- How did you manage the moisture or musty smells in your old basement?
- Any cost-effective DIY solutions that worked for you?
- When is it necessary to call in a professional? Just knowing I'm not alone in this situation would be a great comfort. Thanks for any tips or support!
2 Answers
In your case, definitely get a dehumidifier if you haven’t already. It really is a must-have for damp basements, especially in older houses like yours. I’ve heard stories where people saw a massive difference just by managing the humidity levels. You might want to look into some ventilation options as well—like keeping a fan running to circulate the air. Good luck!
First off, a dehumidifier is essential! You should definitely keep it running all the time, and make sure to empty it regularly. Alongside that, having a HEPA air filter can help improve air quality too. Check your gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re not clogged and direct water away from your foundation. Sealing off the air gap between the finished and unfinished spaces can also be a big help. You might want to consider painting the walls with a product like Drylok, and avoid putting down carpet or rugs as they could lead to mold problems down the line.