Do you find your crawl space damp or musty? The smell could seep through the floor to the area above. Persistent leaks in your crawl space can cause musty odors. The water can cause mold and bacteria to grow over time. We will discuss how to get rid of crawl space smells.
My crawl space smells musty!
Excessive water is the main cause of crawl space smells. Water can make crawl spaces smell musty, or even offensive, regardless of whether it is a leaky pipe or cracked foundation.
Musty odors can build up in the floor because it is part your foundation. It may not be obvious immediately, but it is possible for crawl space odors to develop over time.
Animals can also produce smells, aside from water. They can also cause intense odors, whether they have died or are still living in your crawl space.
Most musty or damp smells are caused by water, particularly if they occur after rain or flood. If smells become severe and sudden, it is more likely that animals are the culprit. You should inspect your crawl space for signs of animals or water.
How to Get Rid Of Musty Smells in Your Crawl Space
Drying your crawl space will solve the problem if it is caused by moisture. Make sure to keep yourself safe when you are trying to remove odors from damp crawl spaces. Wear boots, long sleeves, thick rubber gloves, and pants. It is recommend that you also wear goggles and a ventilator, although this is optional.
It takes approximately 3 days
Estimated cost: $ 100
Supplies Required
Bleach Spray bottle Baking soda
You will need tools
Fans Dehumidifier
How to Get Rid Of Smells from Damp Crawl Spaces
1. Reduce Moisture & Humidity
You must first get rid of any moisture. You can use regular house fans or a humidifier if there is not a puddle.
Although you will still need to fix the moisture problem, your goal is to eliminate the smell. Turn on the fans for a few days to dry it.
If you have standing water in the crawl space, it is a more serious problem. If you have standing water in your crawl space, you need to consult a specialist. The smell will only return if you don’t.
2. Ventilate or open windows
You should also clean out any vents or windows in your crawl space. This will not only help to remove odors, but also allow for moisture escape. They should be kept open for as long as fans are on.
You can also use a fan to draw in fresh air from the outside if you don’t have windows. Although it won’t be as efficient, it will still remove the stench.
3. Make sure to clean and disinfect
The next step is to disinfect and clean your crawl space. You will need to wash everything with warm water and soap. Keep the fans on while you clean, as it will speed up drying.
Mix one cup bleach with one gallon of water. Then, spray the solution into a spray bottle. Let everything dry completely with the bleach solution. This will kill bacteria and mold that can cause crawl space smells.
4. Deodorize
Baking soda can be used to deodorize your crawl space. Baking soda will remove lingering odors from your crawl space and help keep it smelling fresh for a longer time.
Baking soda is the best odor-removal product. Baking soda is not only cheap, but it works better than any other product at removing odors.
Sprinkle it on and it will absorb the smell. You can either vacuum it up or leave it there for a few days. It will not harm anything, and it will continue to work for weeks or months.
How to Keep Crawl Space Smells from Coming Back
Although the above steps will eliminate musty, damp crawl space smells they can come back if you don’t fix the water problem. These are some tips to help keep your crawl space clean and fresh.
- Ventilation is needed to allow moisture and humidity to escape.
- To remove moisture from the air, use a dehumidifier
- To block water and odours, place a moisture barrier on the ground
- To keep water out of your foundation, waterproof it
