Of all the rooms in a house, the basement is the one that’s most readily associated with musty smells. Old photo albums, forgotten boxes containing nostalgic odds and ends, a rack of clothes that hasn’t been touched since 1973 – all of these are contributors to the odd odors many basements possess. However, there’s another, far more damaging culprit: water leaks.

ULB-Dry Waterproofing, a long-tenured waterproofing company, knows just how much damage an untreated water leak can cause. But if you get out in front of the problem, you’ll save yourself a lot of time, energy, and money.

Locate the Leak

The leak that’s contributing to your basement’s musty smell is almost certainly due to moisture seeping through your basement’s concrete floor and/or walls. Often times these leaks are created or exacerbated by heavy storms. Search your basement for visible signs of moisture – the most common indicators are damp concrete walls or the presence of a white powdery substance called efflorescence. This powder consists of crystallized minerals indicating the presence of evaporated water.

Take preventive measures

Running a dehumidifier is a good way to minimize the odor and keep your basement’s dampness at bay. However, since mold is the root cause of the odor, you’ll need to don protective clothing and give the affected wall(s) a thorough scrubbing. You’ll also want to clean or discard any musty-smelling furniture, carpeting, clothing, etc., and replace damp boxes with dry ones. It’s also a good idea to invest in storage racks so that you can keep all of your belongings off the floor.

Outside your home, make sure that your gutters are unclogged and that your downspouts aren’t depositing water directly onto your foundation. The downspouts should empty at least six feet from the foundation, on to ground that slopes downwards from the house.

Contact ULB-Dry Waterproofing for a long-term solution

Whether or not your basement was damp-proofed on the outside (this isn’t the case for older homes), your best course of action for preventing leaks from returning is to contact our experienced team of basement waterproofers. Running to the nearest home store for a quick DIY fix could end up haunting you in the long run, and given that your home will likely be the largest investment you ever make, you want to do everything you can to maintain and enhance its value. Our industry-leading services are instituted quickly and expertly by our knowledgeable team. One call to ULB-Dry Waterproofing and we will:

  • Send a waterproofing professional to your home
  • Thoroughly review our process, its application, and the results you can expect
  • Furnish a no-obligation estimate
  • Schedule service

Unchecked water leaks are a breeding ground for mildew and mold, which in turn can cause a variety of problems ranging from dry rot and foundation damage to warpage, paint failure, and health problems. Don’t let a basement water leak compromise your home’s value and safety – contact ULB-Dry Waterproofing today for professional basement waterproofing near Lombard, IL and greater Chicagoland.