Gutter maintenance is underrated too, for sure. Sometimes it’s just about keeping water away from the foundation in the first place.
Couldn’t agree more on gutters—most people forget about them until there’s a problem. I learned the hard way after a surprise musty episode last spring. Turns out, my downspout was dumping water right at the corner of the house... Fixed that, ran the dehumidifier, and the smell finally disappeared. Plants are nice, but they’re not miracle workers for humidity.
Gutters are important, but honestly, I’d be careful not to assume that’s always the root cause. I’ve seen plenty of basements with musty smells even after the gutters and downspouts were sorted out. Sometimes it’s a hidden leak in a pipe or even a crack in the foundation letting moisture seep in. Dehumidifiers help, but if there’s an actual water source, you’re just treating the symptom. Worth checking for any plumbing leaks or damp spots behind walls too... those can sneak up on you.
That’s a good point about hidden leaks.
I’m curious—if you suspect it’s a pipe leak but can’t see anything obvious, would you cut into the drywall right away or wait for more signs? I always worry about making a mess if it turns out to be nothing, but ignoring it seems risky too. How do you weigh that out?“Worth checking for any plumbing leaks or damp spots behind walls too... those can sneak up on you.”
