Farm house basement

[Zoe]

Based on the age of the dwelling, it would be my guess the basement is what we call a Michigan basement. It was hand dug and either large stones or non-watertight block were used, could also be joint failure. If that is the case, the cause of the dampness could be seeping thru the floor or the walls. As BRCJR stated it could be a water flow control issue, it could be a high-water table, it could be lack of air circulation or some combination thereof.

Without knowing the source and extent of the moisture, it is difficult suggest a correction.

Somebody with that expertise to give advice. I don't know the financial situation. But the lender may be able to take care of that in the loan.

 

[sputnam]

House built 1880. Does it mater if it's musty, some moisture on the floor.

Floor is concrete. It only a space for the electrical box, water heater, well water pressure tank, and propane broiler.

What does FHA look at? If you guys want pics or a video, I can do that too.

Any help would be much appreciated!!!

Of course it matters. That is not to say that the property would not be eligible for an FHA loan. It will matter to the valuation. If the appraiser does what he/she is supposed to do, the appraisal report will describe the basement based on his/her observation of it. If there are issues that are considered structural, safety, or security issues, then the appraisal may be made subject to correction of those issues.

 

[Zoe]

Most homes built then were probably built with crawl space and most probably had vents all around the home including the unfinished basement. The typical heating system in that time frame was totally different than today on most of those homes.

Many had fireplaces as their heating system or wood stove. Many had no indoor plumbing.

 

[Zoe]

Pictures would be nice. I would like to see a picture of the house. Thanks.

I have an attraction to old houses. Just a picture of the front would be nice to me.

Attics need ventilation also.

I won't touch H&B use yet.

 

[OV79]

Pictures would be nice. I would like to see a picture of the house. Thanks.

I have an attraction to old houses. Just a picture of the front would be nice to me.

Attics need ventilation also.

I won't touch H&B use yet.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

A musty smell is always either mold or mildew. It's unfinished. I bet its contribution is TSTM - too small to measure.

Find a similar one for comp and dissect that sale. I bet you cannot differentiate it from a house without a similar basement.

 

[Mark K]

Every basement/cellar I've seen in homes of that age have a musty smell and are damp. Usually the foundations are old brick or field stone, neither of which are watertight. If you use comps of similar age, guaranteed they have the same "issue" if they have a cellar. They were all used for tornado/storm or root cellars for storing vegetables over the winter. Nowdays they have the furnace, water heater, and elec panel.

 

[OV79]

Zoe (post 2) can, at times, ramble about things, just my opinion.

Is it just a humid type of moisture or does water seep in when it rains? Is it something correcting an air flow could elevate?

Does the ground slope away from the foundation. Does the dwelling have gutters/downspouts that direct the rain away from the foundation?

Changing your heat source has nothing to do with your question. Not sure why Zoe thought that a beneficial comment, go figure.

When it rains water does enter. As for gutters, I need new. The basement has a concrete floor and cinderblock walls. I need advice on "what to do".

 

[Mark K]

When it rains water does enter. As for gutters, I need new. The basement has a concrete floor and cinderblock walls. I need advice on "what to do".

Get gutters, have downspouts attached to a drain that outlets away from the house, install sump pump and dehumidifier.

 

[BRCJR]

Get gutters, have downspouts attached to a drain that outlets away from the house, install sump pump and dehumidifier.

and use block sealer on the cinderblocks.........