Experiencing a flood in your basement can be incredibly stressful. Beyond the obvious damage and the immediate cleanup efforts, one of the lingering challenges many homeowners encounter is dealing with the stubborn musty odor that often remains.

The musty odor that arises after a basement flood is typically caused by mold and mildew growth. Mold tends to develop in damp, humid environments, conditions that are often intensified by flooding. Even after visible water has been removed, moisture can linger in materials such as wood, drywall, and carpeting.

How Long Does It Take for That Musty Smell to Occur?

The musty smell can typically start to develop within 24 to 48 hours after a flood, depending on factors like humidity levels, temperature, and the amount of water present.

There are various reasons why your basement may smell. Here are a few:

• Flooding and presence of sewage water
• Clogged toilets
• Pipes that are broken
• An overflow from a washing machine
• A roof that has a leak
• Cracks in the foundation
• Plumbing leak
• Natural causes such as floods, heavy snow, or rain

How To Remove Bad Odors During Basement Cleanup After Flooding?

Whether it’s using natural air fresheners, scrubbing away mold, or simply improving ventilation, these methods will have your basement smelling fresh and feeling welcoming again in no time.

Find the source of the bad odor

To get rid of bad odors in your basement, you will first need to find out where the odor is coming from. Usually, the smell is a symptom of the issue, but it is the mold and mildew that cause the problem. Inspect the area thoroughly, paying close attention to corners, walls, and any items stored there. Look for signs of water damage, such as damp spots or discoloration, as these can indicate ongoing issues that contribute to the odor. Additionally, check for visible mold growth on surfaces or in hidden areas like behind furniture or stored boxes. By pinpointing the source of the odor, whether it’s mold, stagnant water, or something else, you can take targeted steps to address the problem and prevent it from recurring.

At times, odor issues in the basement are caused by groundwater. If the grading around the home goes back inward, water will end up the home. You may need to re-grade the yard to fix this issue. You can also have a French drain installed which will help divert the water or you can install a sump pump to control the groundwater.

If you do not find any leaks behind the walls, you may be looking at an issue with your p-trap under a sink. You can resolve this by pouring some water into the traps to release the dried-up sewer gases that may have built up. Musty smells can also be caused by pet odors on furniture or carpets.

Clean Mold

When you’ve pinpointed mold as the source of the odor, you should immediately clean it. Use a mixture of water and detergent or a specialized mold cleaner to scrub affected surfaces thoroughly. For non-porous materials, wiping with a cloth or sponge can work well. Once cleaned, monitor the area to ensure it remains dry and well-ventilated to prevent mold from returning.

Repairs should be done promptly

If your home or business needs repairs, make sure they are done promptly so that you can remove the musty smells from your home. If you just mask the odors and not fix the source, you can be sure that it will come back. Additionally, if you have pipes that are not insulated, they can burst and cause damage to your property. Similarly, addressing cracks in concrete or gaps where moisture can seep in helps maintain a dry environment that is less prone to musty odors.

Humidity should be controlled

Once you’ve repaired any water damage in your basement, you should use a dehumidifier to remove any leftover moisture. The moisture in your home should be about 50 percent so that mold does not form. You can also use a box or window fan to help with proper ventilation and to help with the drying process.

Increase Air Circulation

Get Rid of Smell Using DIY Approach

The easiest way to get rid of a bad odor in the basement is to use baking soda by placing it in bowls around the basement so it can absorb bad odors. You can also use white vinegar or clean cat litter which will help absorb the smell. There are also many commercial products on the market that you can use to absorb bad odors and musty odors.

Although it is great to use odor absorbers, you should also thoroughly clean the whole basement. Spray all surfaces with equal parts vinegar and water and mop the floor as well. Make sure to fully clean all areas where mold was visible.

If your basement has carpeting and upholstery, you may be left with a musty smell after all the moisture has been removed. To get rid of the foul odors on your upholstered furniture and carpeting, you should rent a carpet and furniture steamer and do a deep clean.

If you follow all these tips, you should be able to remove all bad odors from your basement in about a week. To prevent moisture issues that can cause bad odors, make sure to always check for leaks, keep the p-traps full, and control the humidity level of your basement.

Are you dealing with an odor issue at your home or business caused by water damage? Water damage can happen at any time and can cause costly damage and mold growth while leaving behind musty odors. Whether the flooding is caused by rain, thunderstorms, natural flooding, burst pipes or something else, water damage restoration experts can remove all the water, dry out the affected areas, and restore your property back to its original state.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.