Funny you mention VOC spikes—I've actually had mixed results with air quality monitors for musty odors. Sometimes they pick up on something, but other times it's just background noise from cleaning products or paint. I tend to rely more on a systematic approach: first, I check the obvious sources like sump pumps, floor drains, and any exposed insulation. One time I found a musty smell was coming from a forgotten bag of potting soil wedged behind the furnace... not exactly what I expected.
I do agree that moisture meters are invaluable, but I also use an infrared thermometer to check for cold spots that might indicate hidden dampness. If everything checks out and the smell persists, I'll run a dehumidifier for a few days and see if that helps. Sometimes it really is just stale air or something minor, like an old rug that needs tossing. It’s amazing how many things can go wrong in a basement without any actual leaks or flooding.
Funny how basements seem to collect the weirdest smells, right? I totally get what you mean about air quality monitors being hit or miss.
Been there—except my “surprise” was an old pair of gym shoes that should’ve been declared biohazard. Ever try sniff-testing all your drains? Sometimes I swear the p-trap dries out just to mess with me. And yeah, dehumidifiers are lifesavers, but I always wonder if I’m just masking the real problem.One time I found a musty smell was coming from a forgotten bag of potting soil wedged behind the furnace... not exactly what I expected.
I swear, basements have a sixth sense for weird smells. Last winter, I spent a whole afternoon convinced something had died behind the water heater—turned out to be a soggy cardboard box full of old magazines. I hear you on the p-traps, too. Sometimes I dump a pitcher of water down the floor drain just in case, but it feels like a losing battle. Dehumidifiers help, but I always end up crawling around with a flashlight, half-expecting to find a science experiment growing somewhere.
