Bruce Ramsey
08-28-2008, 08:51 AM
I live in the land of crawl spaces. Very few sump pumps around here due to extreme lack of basements.
Past client called this morning complaining of musty odor in basement. New construction, closed about 3 months ago. There are 3 holes in the basement floor. 2 have sump pumps installed while the third has a cover over the hole but no pump. ~4800 square feet finished space. Basement unfinished and all below grade with the exception of a stairway about 6 feet wide leading below grade to door and window.
Client had opened the window of the basement and ran a fan to draw fresh air into the basement for a while. Then he turned the fan around and blew air out the window from the basement. Then he closed the window and ran a dehumidifier. Started at 85% and has gotten it down to 45% humidity according to him. Last 3 months the weather around here has been about 90 degrees with 85%-95% humidity.
He complained to the builder about the musty odor. The builder suggested it was probably the fiberglass batt insulation giving off the odor. Huh?
He poured bleach into the sump pumps and the odor diminished and took on a slight bleach odor. Shortly thereafter the odor returned to full strength.
The one opening in the floor without a sump pump has several threaded openings which are not capped off.
My guess is that the high humidity has caused some growth of mold or mildew. Reducing the humidity is a good thing and may eventually kill off the mold/mildew.
I would think capping off the unused sump pump hole openings would limit odor and further growth but may limit the capability for water to enter the sump during high water?
I am definitely sump pump challenged. I am looking for some guidance about sump pumps in general. I am looking for suggestions to help the client better manage the moisture and odor in his basement. Any ideas?
Pics are front of house at final inspection
Blurry pic of one of the sump pump openings in the basement floor.
Past client called this morning complaining of musty odor in basement. New construction, closed about 3 months ago. There are 3 holes in the basement floor. 2 have sump pumps installed while the third has a cover over the hole but no pump. ~4800 square feet finished space. Basement unfinished and all below grade with the exception of a stairway about 6 feet wide leading below grade to door and window.
Client had opened the window of the basement and ran a fan to draw fresh air into the basement for a while. Then he turned the fan around and blew air out the window from the basement. Then he closed the window and ran a dehumidifier. Started at 85% and has gotten it down to 45% humidity according to him. Last 3 months the weather around here has been about 90 degrees with 85%-95% humidity.
He complained to the builder about the musty odor. The builder suggested it was probably the fiberglass batt insulation giving off the odor. Huh?
He poured bleach into the sump pumps and the odor diminished and took on a slight bleach odor. Shortly thereafter the odor returned to full strength.
The one opening in the floor without a sump pump has several threaded openings which are not capped off.
My guess is that the high humidity has caused some growth of mold or mildew. Reducing the humidity is a good thing and may eventually kill off the mold/mildew.
I would think capping off the unused sump pump hole openings would limit odor and further growth but may limit the capability for water to enter the sump during high water?
I am definitely sump pump challenged. I am looking for some guidance about sump pumps in general. I am looking for suggestions to help the client better manage the moisture and odor in his basement. Any ideas?
Pics are front of house at final inspection
Blurry pic of one of the sump pump openings in the basement floor.