What would you do if your basement started smelling musty overnight?

I usually run a dehumidifier, toss some old towels where it’s damp, and crack a window if the weather’s not awful.

- Dehumidifier is my go-to too. Quickest way to stop things from getting out of hand.
- I’ve tried towels but honestly, they just end up smelling musty themselves after a day or two.
- If it’s really bad, I’ll pull up any rugs or cardboard boxes—those seem to trap the smell.
- Ever try one of those moisture absorber buckets? Not sure they do much, but maybe worth a shot.

Curious—anyone ever find an actual leak after all this, or is it usually just humidity?

I’ve actually found a small leak once after thinking it was just humidity. It was behind a stack of boxes, so I didn’t notice right away.

If it’s really bad, I’ll pull up any rugs or cardboard boxes—those seem to trap the smell.

I totally get the paranoia about hidden leaks—once you’ve had one, you start wondering what else is lurking. I’ve pulled off a couple baseboards before when the smell wouldn’t go away, and sure enough, found some damp insulation. It’s a pain, but better than letting it fester. You’re not overthinking it at all.

Yeah, that musty smell can really mess with your head once you’ve dealt with a leak before. It’s not paranoia—it’s just learning from experience. I always tell folks, trust your nose. If something smells off, there’s usually a reason.

Here’s what I’d do: First, check the obvious spots—look for any water staining on walls or floors, especially near exterior walls or around windows. If you’ve got carpet down there, lift a corner and see if it feels damp underneath. Sometimes the culprit is as simple as a clogged floor drain or a slow leak from a pipe you barely notice.

If you’re comfortable, pop off a baseboard or two like you mentioned. A flashlight and a moisture meter (they’re cheap at hardware stores) can save you a lot of guesswork. And don’t forget to check behind any stored boxes or furniture—sometimes water sneaks in where you least expect it.

You’re definitely not overthinking it. Better to catch it early than deal with mold down the line.

What would you do if your basement started smelling musty overnight?

Man, I’m right there with you on the paranoia. First time I smelled that weird basement funk, I thought maybe it was just old house smell or something... but nope, turned out to be a tiny leak behind the washing machine. Took me way too long to figure out.

I like the idea of using a moisture meter—never even thought about picking one up until now. But honestly, is it really worth pulling off baseboards if you don’t see any stains or feel dampness? I get wanting to be thorough, but sometimes I feel like I’m just making more work for myself and stressing over nothing.

Also, does anyone else get nervous about moving all their junk around down there? Half my basement is boxes from the move and I swear if there’s a leak hiding behind them, I’ll never find it until it’s too late. Maybe I’m just being lazy, but dang... basements are sneaky.