Getting the Stink Out of the Basement

We live by Clinton River too! Dehumidifiers are a godsend! We got a good one (LG brand) from Home Depot for about $150. Also, to circulate the air even more run a box fan 24/7. You got to get it to dry out quickly.

I would also consider running a dehumidifier down there if you don't all ready, to really pull all the moisture out. It has helped alot for general mold and musty issues in our old home. I can't remember how much ours was but I would say $100+ for sure. But it's well worth it is as we run it all the summer months, not just when there is a rain/water issue.

If you don't have a dehumidifier, get one! Run it a lot at first, then back it off to "normal" and run it around the clock until your furnace is going a lot, then again next spring. You can buy some odor-killiing machines too but, if you don't get the dampness out, you won't get rid of the mold and smell.

Hi D.. I do mold investigations as part of my job and it is important to dry out the area. If any soft surfaces (ie- drywall, carpet, etc) got wet, they should be removed and thrown away. As for concrete and wood boards- after they are dry, clean with a wire brush and water or soap to get rid of any mold and then disinfect with 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use gloves and a mask and air out as best you can. NEVER MIX BLEACH WITH AMMONIA OR OTHER CLEANERS!!! It can release chlorine gas which is toxic and deadly! If you have other questions, please send me a message. I have LOTS of info on the subject. Good luck.

I don't know if your insurance will cover but it would be worth a call. We had a water issue in our basement (broken water pipe) which ended up quickly turning into a mold issue. The homeowners insurance had a "disaster team" - Servpro Company - come out assess the mold situation and do all the clean up - though we lost many items to water damage and mold, in the end, it was better than when we started. Mold is not something to fool around with. I would call your homeowners and file a claim.