Musty smell under the stairs...

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talentedfergal
Member

Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 74
Location: North West

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 9:37 am Post subject: Musty smell under the stairs...

I've just moved in to a new house and before we did so we had a damp survey done by a local firm. There was nothing major on the survey, just a few recommendations really.

One of the notes said that there may be a bit of mould/rot on a couple of stair treads (not sure how he knows this as he didn't take the carpet up). Although I'm not too worried about this, will probably sort when we come to decorate the hall, the cupboard under the stairs, does have quite a strong smell, which I assume is some sort of mould or something. Is there anything I can do in the short term to rid the space of this smell, some sort of fungal spray or something? We hang our coats under there at the moment, and I'm beginning to detect that the smell is transferring to our clothes.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin

Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 14694
Location: Darwen, Lancashire

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

Is there any ventillation under the stairs?

Can you see the stair treads from underneath or have they been covered with plasterboard etc.?
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talentedfergal
Member

Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 74
Location: North West

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

There's no ventilation, it's literally a cupboard under the stairs. Can really see the stair treads, it's too dark in there. Think it's boarded over, what am I looking for and how would I vent it?

leebwk
Senior Member

Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 1381
Location: Oxford

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Basically with an air brick fitted externally and a hit and miss vent on the inside, the smell is from bad air circulation and probably it's colder under the stairs
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talentedfergal
Member

Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 74
Location: North West

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 1:15 pm Post subject:

There isn't an external wall to put an air brick in, space under the stairs is against dividing wall to our neighbour's house. Don't think the previous owners used the cupboard very much, but we've now started using it for coats etc, so the door is being opened a couple of time a day. Will this increased usage start the air circulating bit more?

thescruff
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 16747
Location: Bath

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 1:47 pm Post subject:

Are you sure it's not the coats and boots.
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talentedfergal
Member

Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 74
Location: North West

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject:

I hope that's sarcasm Scruff, although I have resorted to sniffing the missus when she comes in from work. Haha.

thescruff
Senior Member

Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 16747
Location: Bath

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject:

No I was quite serious.
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talentedfergal
Member

Joined: 11 Mar 2009
Posts: 74
Location: North West

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 3:39 pm Post subject:

I'm quite sure it's not the coats and boots. The smell was there as soon as we moved in.

leebwk
Senior Member

Joined: 01 Dec 2006
Posts: 1381
Location: Oxford

Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:51 am Post subject:

I'ts just air circulation and also the coats and shoes will play a part as they are not being aired and the area is basically concentrating the smell,
Leaving the door open will help, it's just a matter of creating better air flow
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