Why Your Basement Starts to Smell in the Summer

There are very few reasons not to absolutely love the summer months. But admittedly, one of them may be the humidity. When temperatures here in Central Pennsylvania start to rise, so do humidity levels. And unfortunately, that can cause problems for homeowners — especially ones with finished or unfinished basements.

Why Does My Basement Smell?

It can be easy to forget that basements are an exceptional feature in a home, seeing as how they literally exist underground. That being said, that’s also what makes them more susceptible to unpleasant smells. Most often, smelly basements are caused by:

Mold and Mildew

Humidity may be one of the reasons why your basement smells, but it’s not the source of the smell. Let us explain. When humid air gets trapped in your basement it can cause mold and mildew to appear. Over time, that mold and mildew can begin to grow and cause your basement to smell.

Poor Ventilation

It’s also possible that your humidity levels aren’t all that high, but your ventilation is very poor. The small amount of humidity that makes its way into your basement can get stuck there, leading, again, to mold or mildew growth.

Sewage Back Up

Though humidity is often the driving force behind what’s causing your basement to smell less than ideal, it could be something completely different. If your basement smells like raw sewage rather than mildew, you may have a serious plumbing issue on your hand. Even if you can’t see the leaks yourself, you may have a main sewer line leak below your home or behind walls.

Restoring Your Basement to Its Former Glory

Especially in the summer, people love hanging out in their basement because it’s one of the coolest rooms in a house. So don’t let bad smells drive you upstairs this season.

• Clean small spots of non-toxic mold with vinegar, baking soda, and bleach. If you notice anything more than a few small spots, call in a team of professionals, as mold can be harmful to your health.
• Install a dehumidifier in your basement and run it once a day while you’re home.
• Improve your ventilation by adding more vents throughout your basement or having existing vents cleaned.
• Call Mr. Rooter of Central Pennsylvania for plumbing maintenance or a sewer line inspection.

Give Mr. Rooter of Central PA a phone call, today!

About the Author: Paul Nelson, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Central PA

Paul has been a trusted Mr. Rooter owner of Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Central PA since 1983. With over 37 years to back him, Paul has experience with a wide range of plumbing-related solutions and systems. He and his team specialize in septic tank services, water softener installation, and more.