Brownstone smells
Our family lives in a garden and parlor level duplex. I am pregnant and much more sensitive to smells than before. I’ve started noticing musty/moldy/mildew-y smells on the garden level. I experience so strongly that it sends me running to the bathroom and now I can’t sleep in our bedroom. Of course, my husband doesn’t…
Our family lives in a garden and parlor level duplex. I am pregnant and much more sensitive to smells than before. I’ve started noticing musty/moldy/mildew-y smells on the garden level. I experience so strongly that it sends me running to the bathroom and now I can’t sleep in our bedroom. Of course, my husband doesn’t notice anything and thinks I’m insane. Has anyone else experienced this and have any suggestions for addressing the problem? It’s going to drive me to my wit’s end that I can’t track down what’s causing the smell. It’s seems to be coming from inside the walls (and it’s not a dead rodent). Help!
Is there drainage in and around the entryway under the stoop? If that space is chronically moist, every time you open that door, you re-humidify the garden level. Also, check the mortar or cement lining walls and ceiling of the space under the stairs in the stoop. It should be dry. A small fix here may make a big difference. You have my sympathies!
there is likely mold growth behind your walls. if the studs in your walls were built so that the studs touch your brick walls and insulated, etc, then it is very likely that when you rip into the walls you will see mold growing all up in there. the walls should be built with an inch or 2 of space from the bricks so that air can circulate. if the problem isn’t fixed the mold will get worse. the very best way to solve the problem is to fix wherever the water is coming through.
Damp-X is good for minor moisture like for the average clothing closet, but Damp-X is not nearly enough for basements. A tub of Damp-X would fill up with water in a day, in a basement. For basements and garden levels you need a big dehumidifier.
Try Damp-X…it helps with the moisture issue. The hanging one smells great too. You can purchase them @ Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
if you are in an older building, i’d get this checked out. there probably is water coming in somewhere. consider getting in an inspector to see if you have water getting somewhere. it’s very important to do this before the baby gets here. infants should not be around mold. don’t be swayed by your husband. this is really not something to put off.
also, you really need to get a dehumidifier and a air purifier ASAP.
we have a duplex which includes a lower level new construction, and we do not have any mildew or mold, but we run the dehumidifier anyway just in case of dampness. we also run a purifier every other day in our toddler’s room too.
Thanks for everyone’s comments — I am definitely looking forward to having my normal, not-so-acute sense of smell back. In the meantime, thanks for the suggestions. The garden level was completely re-done by my husband about 8 years ago, and I hope (and trust) that he resolved any mold/rot issues before sealing up the walls.
When you have the baby your senses will return to normality and you’ll not notice it.
I had a moldy smell as well until recently. Turns out water/moisture was getting trapped in the walls from small cracks in the exterior. We redid the facade of the house which solved the smell problem.
I have a super sensitive sense of smell, too. I am not kidding when I say the thing that sold me on our house was the fact the English basement didn’t smell. Because every other house we saw, even those with garden levels not Eng. basements, smelled strongly of mildew and mold.
All basements and garden levels need a big, industrial size dehumidifier running all through Spring, Summer and Fall until the heat comes on which will help dry things out. Run it every day. Ours will fill up to the top twice a day, gallons of water, and our basement is relatively dry. Lastly, as 12:37 says, check behind drywall and flooring especially if someone else other than you installed it. A previous owner may have covered up a mold issue with new drywall or plaster or flooring.
Also let the sun in. Open the shades and curtains. Ultra violet light kills mold and mildew.