Musty basement

[Capt_Cully]

From a foundation standpoint, my basement is dry. But from a sump evaporation standpoint, it's as humid as a jungle, and musty as a crypt down there.

I've got covers on my tanks for the most part. There's fans blowing across the open portions. It's an 80+ year old house so the only ventillation is 3 small slider windows estimated at about 10x12 inches....that's it. There's not really a way to enclose the sump into a room. My only other help is a very old dehumidifier.

Any tips? Any info that'd help? Should I just go out and buy a huge dehumidifier? I mean a basement that old is going to have some mustiness to it. But my pipes shouldn't be sweating Rubin Studdard on American Idol.

Thanks

 

[pascal32]

I'm sure there are some great "super cool" technologies out there. I have a nice LOW TEMP dehumidifier which does a great job. Once a week I try to remember to open the only basement window and run the house fan. Sump isncoered along with uncovered frag tanks with T5 lighting.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Do you know what your dehumidifier's capacity is? It may not be enough to keep up with the moisture in your basement.

Ours crapped out last year, and I've been delaying the inevitable purchase. I refinished the basement, and it's not musty at all in the winter. Once June rolls around, it's time to fire it up.

My basement is 1600 sq. ft, and my pipes sweat without the dehumidifier. When I run it, the musty odor disappears within a couple of days, and no more sweat.

FWIW, this is the one I'm going to get.

 

[pascal32]

Per concensus's comment - I have two dehumidifier in the basement, one regular and one low temp. I ran both next toeach other a few years back and in one day the low temp was full, and the regular was maybe 1/3 full. Roughly the same capacity. I don't remember the details, but I believe the regular dehumidifiers are not efficient at my basement temperature of mid 60s.

Something to keep on mind.

 

[Capt_Cully]

I'd bet our basement is on the order of about 1300 sq ft. Fans down there equate to a fart in a stiff wind.

Can you give me a little more info about the one you linked me to (SOB-in smart filter...).
Low temp? Cost? Can it be run off a standard outlet or would it need to be on a larger circuit...a 240?

Thanks

 

[jdoenumber2]

I sell that model. Its great. Never buy any appliances online or from a big box store. Buy from a locally owned appliance store. Especially if they service them. Pay the extra few dollars it will save you later. They have a 5 year compressor warranty that gets them swapped out only if purchased from independents.

Do you know what your dehumidifier's capacity is? It may not be enough to keep up with the moisture in your basement.

Ours crapped out last year, and I've been delaying the inevitable purchase. I refinished the basement, and it's not musty at all in the winter. Once June rolls around, it's time to fire it up.

My basement is 1600 sq. ft, and my pipes sweat without the dehumidifier. When I run it, the musty odor disappears within a couple of days, and no more sweat.

FWIW, this is the one I'm going to get.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

The one I linked to got great reviews outside of Amazon. It's not a low-temp model per se, but has a large enough capacity that it won't be running 24/7. It'll run off a standard 110v outlet, and you can run a hose to your basement sump pump (if you have one) so you won't have to monkey around with emptying it.

Many of the 5-star reviews this unit got on Amazon were from folks using it in the basement. Cost is $193 with free shipping. The model is Frigidaire FAD704TDP 70 Pint Dehumidifier, if you're able to google it from your computer.

 

[jdoenumber2]

70 pint low temp is only effective up to 1200 sq ft dry and 800 sq ft damp open basement. You can raise the efficiency of them if you raise it up off the floor 3 or 4 feet.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

jdoenumber2- YGPM

 

[belgian_waffleman]

Get one that allows for continuous running, i.e. garden hose hook-up to the sump.
otherwise you will be emptying the reservoir every day.

Waffleman

 

[Capt_Cully]

So should I get one with a higher capacity? or try it Jdoe's way and put it on a stand?

Most of the buckets are adaptable for a hose drain I believe. That's how mine currently runs, into the "main drain" of the basement floor.

 

[pascal32]

I'll get model info on mine if I ever get home!

 

[jdoenumber2]

The pint rating is based on how much water can be taken, over a 24 hr period in a controlled environment of, 80 deg Fahrenheit and 80% humidity.

 

[IronMan72]

70 pint low temp is only effective up to 1200 sq ft dry and 800 sq ft damp open basement. You can raise the efficiency of them if you raise it up off the floor 3 or 4 feet.

What's the theory behind this? Why is it more efficient if it is raised 3 feet above the ground? Thanks.

 

[mspad]

You can also set up a ventilation system in your basement. I have one that pulls the air right from my sump and releases it to the outside of my house. It not only pulls out humid air, it also cools my sump which has a 250 watt halide over it. I also run a dehumidifier that is located at the other side of the basement.

I hope this helps.

 

[jdoenumber2]

What's the theory behind this? Why is it more efficient if it is raised 3 feet above the ground? Thanks.

The temperature is warmer off of the floor. Warmer air holds more moisture.

For those with out a low temp model that tip can sometimes fix a dehum which freezes in early spring or late fall. The only problem with todays dehums is that they will only generally last about 5-8 years. Like most refrigerated appliances they are built to fail. Planned obsolescence.

 

[jdoenumber2]

You can also set up a ventilation system in your basement. I have one that pulls the air right from my sump and releases it to the outside of my house. It not only pulls out humid air, it also cools my sump which has a 250 watt halide over it. I also run a dehumidifier that is located at the other side of the basement.

I hope this helps.

Great method.

Best way to reduce humidity in the basement is to not even allow it to get in the air column. My main concern is moisture condensing in venting.

 

[pascal32]

My dehumidifier is a 70 pint low temp kenmore 4254701 (the 42 has a line under it, so if you google you might want to try just 54701)

I have the drain hose and it works great for me. Square footage of basement is probably about 8-900 (house is 1800, plus full basement)

 

[Capt_Cully]

Out with the old, in with the new....

Out with the old, in with the new....

Long story short, I called all the local mom and pops I could think of. Many of them were sold out of Dehumidifiers or the ones they had were not strong enough for my needs. I went to Home Depot and the only brand they had in the capacity I needed was LG. I have had NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS with every LG product I've owned. Maybe it's just me, but they'll get no loyalty from me. Took a ride to Lowes and they had the Frigidaire in stock in the 70 pint capacity.

We're having another open house and I need this thing going like yesterday, so not only did I over pay, I also did not support local business. I am ashamed on both accounts but I'm kind of over a barrel. There is literally fog in my basement on days like to day and there are visible wet drip lines around the entire basement floor from the pipes sweating. The sight of that and the musty smell is really a deterent. With the market so bad right now for sellers, I need all the help I can get.

Jdoe, I honestly really tried. I'd rather overpay locally than save a few bucks on line, but I'm in a corner on this one.

Thanks for the help people!

Cully

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Let me know how that model works out for you. You should have a pretty good idea within the next few days.