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Poor Indoor Air Quality2026-10-21T15:36:57-05:00

Poor Indoor Air Quality Beginning in Your Basement

A musty basement smell that won't go away, damp, stuffy air or allergies that flare up at home can be signs of poor indoor air quality. Excess moisture in your basement may be contributing to the problem, but with the right moisture-control solution, you can improve your basement air quality and comfort.

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Symptoms

What Are the Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Common signs of poor indoor air quality include ongoing musty odors, damp or heavy air, visible mold, condensation and allergy or breathing symptoms that seem worse at home. While these signs can have different causes, several may point to excess moisture or other air quality concerns in your basement. Some indoor pollutants can also irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs, or they may aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms. If you're concerned about the air in your home, start by watching for these common signs in and around your basement:

Persistent Musty, Earthy Smells
Mold You Can See
Efflorescence and Moisture Stains
Condensation on Cool Surfaces
Damp or Humid Air
Asthma or Allergy Flare-Ups at Home
Respiratory Irritation and Discomfort

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Causes

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality in a Basement?

Poor basement air quality is frequently caused by excess moisture and humidity, mold and mildew, dust and allergens or pollutants entering from the soil. Because basements sit partially or fully below ground, they can be particularly vulnerable to water intrusion and high humidity. Cracks and other foundation openings can also provide pathways for soil gases such as radon to enter the home.

  • Moisture & High Humidity

    Water intrusion and high basement humidity can leave the space feeling damp and produce conditions that contribute to poor basement air quality.

    Moisture can enter through foundation walls and floors, cracks or other vulnerable spots. Addressing the source of that moisture and maintaining appropriate humidity levels are important steps toward a drier, healthier basement environment.

  • Mold & Mildew

    When moisture is present, mold and mildew can grow on damp building materials and contribute to musty odors and poor indoor air quality.

    Mold needs moisture to grow, which is why correcting water intrusion and excess humidity is central to preventing recurring problems. Just cleaning visible mold may not address the moisture conditions that let it develop.

  • Dust & Allergens

    Dust, mold spores and other airborne particles can build up in a basement and spread into other areas of the home.

    Damp conditions can also help sustain common indoor allergens, including dust mites. Controlling basement moisture and humidity can help make the environment less hospitable to some of these allergens.

  • Soil Gases & Radon

    Gases from the soil beneath and around your home can move into the basement through cracks, gaps and other openings in the foundation.

    Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes from the ground. It cannot be seen or smelled. Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level, and elevated radon calls for appropriate radon-mitigation measures.

How Basement Air Can Affect Your Whole Home

Did You Know? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of some indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels.

  • Air Enters at the Lowest Levels

    Minor cracks, gaps and openings around the basement or foundation can allow outside air and soil gases to enter your home. If the basement is damp, that incoming air may also encounter excess moisture, mold and other indoor air quality concerns.

  • Warm Air Rises Through Your Home

    As warmer air rises and leaves through upper levels of the house, differences in air pressure can pull replacement air in through lower areas. This natural movement of air is commonly called the stack effect.

  • Basement Air Can Travel Upstairs

    As air makes its way upward, odors, humidity and airborne particles from the basement can travel with it. That means improving conditions in the basement can help address musty odors, excess humidity and other air-quality concerns outside the basement itself.

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How Legacy Supportworks Can Improve Basement Air Quality

For homeowners in the Texas Panhandle and Northwest Texas, improving basement air quality starts by controlling the conditions that lead to damp, musty air. Legacy Supportworks can identify sources of excess moisture and recommend solutions such as basement waterproofing, drainage, dehumidification, sump pumps and vapor barriers to help create a drier, more comfortable basement.

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What Can You Do to Help Prevent Poor Basement Air Quality?

1.

Control Basement Humidity

Keep basement humidity under control and check for condensation on pipes, walls, windows and other cool surfaces. If humidity remains high or condensation keeps coming back, look for an underlying source of excess moisture rather than relying on humidity control alone.

2.

Address Water Leaks and Seepage

Don’t ignore plumbing leaks, foundation seepage or water entering around basement windows. Addressing moisture at its source helps reduce the damp conditions that can contribute to mold growth and musty odors.

3.

Keep Water Away from Your Foundation

Clean out and maintain gutters and downspouts, and confirm water drains away from your foundation. Cutting down on the water collecting around your home can help prevent it from working its way into your basement.

4.

Check Your Basement After Heavy Rain

After heavy rain or snowmelt, watch for damp walls, puddles, water stains or new musty odors. Identifying water intrusion early can help prevent recurring moisture and humidity problems.

5.

Test Your Home for Radon

Because radon has no color or odor, you can’t tell whether it’s present by the way your basement looks or smells. The EPA recommends testing your home to determine its radon level.

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Legacy SupportWorks was referred to me by Bernie Sanders with Sir Speedy. When doors began to not close properly and there were noticeable gaps between the floor and molding, we knew it was time to get some foundation work done on our home. We shopped around and were pleased with the value and responsiveness of Legacy Support Works. I felt comfortable with them in my home, they delivered what they promised when they promised and left my home clean. From Tessa who made the initial contact, to the gentleman putting my carpet back in place, customer service was outstanding.

Sonja Gross | Amarillo, TX

Mike P. from Amarillo, TX hired Legacy Supportworks to help lift and level a sinking kitchen floor with PolyLevel™.In this video he talks about the experience with the company. “We were really impressed that he (the owner) was willing to get in there and work just like a laborer!”

Mike P. | Amarillo, TX

When Karen H. saw some cracks on her wall, she knew something was wrong. She first called a local contractor and they told her that the cracks were being caused by the trees in her backyard. Karen wasn’t convinced by their explanation so she decided to get a second opinion and called Legacy Supportworks. In this video she talks about the experience she had with the company and why she was confident to hire them as the right company for the job. “What we got from Legacy Supportworks was not just a company that will be there for us through the whole process, but be there for us through any other problems that we have in the future”, says Karen.

Karen H. | Lubbock, TX

Legacy Supportworks repaired several cracks in our foundation and stabilized a basement wall that was starting to bow. The process was smooth and the crew worked hard to get everything done right. I would definitely recommend them.

Idali C. | Follett, TX

Legacy Supportworks helped us lift and level our sinking patio with their concrete repair system. It was fast, affordable, and looks fantastic. I wish we had done this sooner!Marissa L.

Marissa L. | Darrouzett, TX

We live in Lipscomb and started noticing cracks in our walls and doors sticking. Shawn from Legacy Supportworks came out and walked us through the foundation repair process. He was very honest and informative. The crew did a great job and our house feels solid again.

Aiden L. | Lipscomb, TX

We had them come out for concrete leveling on our driveway and walkway. The difference is incredible! No more tripping hazards and it looks so much better. The team was friendly and efficient.

Willy R. | Canadian, TX

We had major cracks in our driveway and back patio. The concrete leveling process was quick, affordable, and looks amazing. I couldn’t believe the difference. The team was knowledgeable and made sure we understood the entire process. Great experience!

Jan T. | Farnsworth, TX

Owen and crew were extremely professional and the work corrected my door,window, and brick gaps.

Gary W. | Fritch, TX

We had water coming into our basement and called Legacy Supportworks for basement waterproofing.

Trey G. | Kerrick, TX

Legacy Supportworks fixed the sunken concrete around our shop, and it made a huge difference. No more puddles or cracks getting worse. Great communication from start to finish. Hard to find companies like this these days.

Becky P. | Amarillo, TX

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Before & after photos

Check out before and after photos from some of our completed projects.

  • Stabilizing a Crawlspace in Pampa, TX

    This home had crawlspace beams that were cracking and lacked stabilization. 

    Years of shimming had only been a “band-aid” fix and this customer was looking for a permanent solution.

    Our crew installed steel beams and steel smartjacks on engineered fill.

    The result was a permanently stabilized floor!

  • Concrete Repair in Spearman, TX

    A customer reached out after seeing a video of concrete lifting using injection methods and wondered if it could work for their front porch. Their home, built in 1968, features a large concrete porch with a section that originally had a planter between it and the house. At some point, the planter was covered with concrete, which has since sunk about 4 inches. Both sections measure approximately 8×12. While the porch itself was fine, they wanted a solution to lift the concrete over the old planter rather than starting from scratch. Legacy inspected the situation and provided a tailored solution to restore their home.

  • Foundation Repair in Guymon, Oklahoma

    Just four years after adding a first porch for relaxation, a homeowner in Guymon, OK found himself facing a disheartening problem – his beloved porch had settled a shocking 2 feet into the ground, taking his dreams of peaceful rocking chair afternoons with it. As depicted in our before photo, this alarming sinkage rendered the space unusable. To lift and stabilize the sinking structure, we deployed our trusted Push Pier system, meticulously engineered to provide strength and elevation from deep below the surface. The transformation is apparent in the after photo, where the porch now stands level and secure, promising many future years of comfort and stability. At Legacy Supportworks, reviving your home’s foundation to ensure lifelong enjoyment and safety is not just our mission—it’s our commitment to you.

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Our service area

Legacy Supportworks is the local expert for Foundation Repair, Concrete Repair & Concrete Leveling and more. We proudly service Lubbock, San Angelo, and all of West Texas & Cimarron County, OK.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will a dehumidifier fix my basement air quality, or do I need waterproofing? 2026-10-14T10:49:47-05:00

A dehumidifier can improve basement air quality when excess humidity is the problem, but it won’t fix active water intrusion. If high humidity is the result of ongoing seepage, foundation leaks or groundwater, the source of the moisture may also need to be corrected. A professional inspection can help determine whether dehumidification, waterproofing or a mix of solutions is needed. 

Does my basement need radon testing?2026-10-08T13:08:48-05:00

The EPA advises that every home be tested for radon. Radon is a naturally formed radioactive gas that can seep in through cracks and other openings that touch the ground, and it’s invisible, odorless and tasteless. The only way to determine your home’s radon level is through testing.

How do I get rid of the musty smell in my basement for good? 2026-10-08T13:06:50-05:00

Getting rid of a musty basement smell for good means eliminating its source, not covering it with air fresheners or ventilation alone. Start by figuring out whether excess humidity, water intrusion, condensation or mold is contributing to the odor. The right long-term solution depends on where that moisture is originating. 

Is basement mold dangerous to my health? 2026-10-08T13:06:22-05:00

Basement mold can impact indoor air quality and may cause health effects for some people. According to the EPA, mold exposure can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold and irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. Controlling moisture is key to controlling mold growth. 

What are the signs of poor indoor air quality from a basement? 2026-10-08T13:05:50-05:00

Common signs of poor indoor air quality can include a lingering musty basement smell, damp or stuffy air, visible mold, condensation and allergy and asthma symptoms that appear worse indoors. These signs can have a number of causes, so identifying and addressing underlying moisture problems is a critical first step. 

Can a musty basement affect the air quality in the rest of my house? 2026-10-08T13:05:24-05:00

Yes. Air naturally flows from the lower levels of a home to the upper levels through a process commonly called the stack effect. If your basement has excess moisture, musty odors, mold or airborne particles, those conditions can shape the air and comfort throughout your home. 

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