The classic musty basement smell is caused by a specific chemical compound released by bacteria breaking down organic matter in damp conditions. Different basement odors — earthy, sulfur-like, or ...

The traps in floor drains — or for that matter, any drains that aren't used often — will eventually dry out. This may sound harmless enough, but a dry trap can cause a room to fill with potentially ...

Most of us are familiar with the "basement smell." It's musty, earthy, slightly pungent, and not very pleasant. But for some people, the basement smell is nostalgic, since it triggers the same parts ...