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I really REALLY need help with his one because its starting to get really bad... So I just bought a split level home recently and I have this musty smell in the hosue that won't go away. I have dehumidifier working for days, but its only collecting little amount of water and that's not really helping that musty smell go away.
I have a crawl space right under the living room and kitchen. However, when I go downstairs to basement (this is where I'd go crawl space from because its half Basement and half crawl space) its not the same smell. Crawl space smells like strong wet wood but living room and kitchen (basically most of the house) smells musty and humid. I know the previous owner had an issue with HVAC but they actually fixed it before I move in
My question is, how can I get rid of this weird smell? Who should I contact? I really don't know as I'm a first home buyer.
I'd start with the carpet and see if it's wet under the carpet. Look in any closets or cabinets and see if maybe the walls got wet and are moldy? Is the roof leaking? I'd call a home inspector and see if maybe they can find the problem?
There should not be a strong wet wood smell in the crawlspace. Is it a dirt crawlspace? Is there any standing water in it? Is there a vapor barrier between the crawlspace floor and the joists? It is no use using a dehumidifier in the house if the moisture is wicking up from the crawlspace; it would be better to install a good vapor barrier; close off the air vents, and install a good dehumidifier in the crawlspace itself. I have one in my home's crawlspace and the humidity level does not go over 45%, ever. When moisture comes up from the ground water table, it is picked up by the dehumidifier and emptied into a sump pump.
Thank you guys, I'm really frustrated. This stupid damp smell even gets on my dishes.
Also, this house was inspected about 4 months ago, so is there a good reason for me to hire an other inspector?
Bungalove, honestly, I didn't go in my crawlspace yet because its kind of terrifying, but I can definitely smell it from the basement as they are next to each other. Btw, do you know how much (roughly) it would cost to hire someone to install vapor barriers for me?
Having a vapor barrier installed correctly isn't cheap. The actual cost depends on square footage, accessibility, quality of materials, etc. Call a few crawl space companies for inspection and quotes.
Terminix just did the vapor barrier and whatever other treatment the neighbors needed when they found fungus in the crawl space. Apparently the company is not just bugs anymore. For one thing, they never had a vapor barrier put down. It was big time fungus to the tune of $6000.
When the inspector was in the crawl space, he told me it was perfectly fine in there. However, if I call a crawl space inspector and later he finds something wrong in there, do you guys think I can sue the home inspector or the guy who sold the house? As I stated in my previous comment, I bought this house about 4 months ago so this house was inspected recently.
There are multiple possibilities here. The most likely causes involves two systems, the crawlspace or the HVAC system. First off, you should have a 100% vapor barrier, minimum 6 mil thick, 10 mil would be better. The vents should be sealed. If you have a dehumidifier, it should be rated for crawlspace use (not a "Home Depot" special) This type of dehumidifier is significantly more expensive $800-$1200 vrs $200. Second, do you have an HVAC system in the crawlspace? If you do and the return duct is not properly sealed (100%) it will "suck" crawlspace air which will then be sent throughout the house. You can't properly seal ductwork with tie wraps..mastic is required. Another possiblity, and I've only run into it a few times, is "dirty socks syndrome" for the HVAC system. This is typically repaired using an ultraviolet system on the unit to kill any bacteria that is causing the issue.
When the inspector was in the crawl space, he told me it was perfectly fine in there. However, if I call a crawl space inspector and later he finds something wrong in there, do you guys think I can sue the home inspector or the guy who sold the house? As I stated in my previous comment, I bought this house about 4 months ago so this house was inspected recently.
Thank you guys, I'm really frustrated. This stupid damp smell even gets on my dishes.
Also, this house was inspected about 4 months ago, so is there a good reason for me to hire an other inspector?
Bungalove, honestly, I didn't go in my crawlspace yet because its kind of terrifying, but I can definitely smell it from the basement as they are next to each other. Btw, do you know how much (roughly) it would cost to hire someone to install vapor barriers for me?
Was the house inspected or appraised? An inspector would have caught the mold/musty issue. You should have received a detailed report about the condition of the house--age of the roof, HVAC system, any potential structural issues, etc. A lot of people confuse an appraisal--determining the value of the house for your mortgage--with an actual inspection.
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