Question:

I'm a first-time home owner who was happy to see a "cold room" to stores preserves, etc., but it smells horrible and I wouldn't put anything in it ... especially food. The walls, floor and ceiling are bare cement (not concrete blocks). There is a 4-6" hole in the wall just below the ceiling with what looks like duct pipe in it. I have no idea where it leads. I suspect that part of the reason for the musty-type odour in my basement is due to that room. I've been running a dehumidifier in the rec room, but that helps for only a short time. What can I do to make the cold room usable? Or at least take the smell away? Your advice will be most welcome. Heather Langley

Answer:

I remember answering this guestion about a month ago but it came back to me so I'm not sure if you received it or not. I;ll answer it again just in case. The hole just below the ceiling should be a vent to the outside to allow minimal ventilation to the cold room. If this is blocked, it might be a part of the cause of the bad smell. Also, check to see if you have a leak in the wall in the form of a crack that might be allowing moisture into this space. I have run into this problem a number of times and on a few occasions, I have drilled another vent hole (with a grille cover) on the opposite wall of the existing one. This allowed just enough ventilation to keep the air a little fresher. Good luck

Answered By: Tim Crozier

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