Homeowners often become immune to the smells in their homes. Sometimes, we must spend significant time away from the property before picking out the odors from interior spaces. One odor that often stands out in a home is a musty smell. Essentially, this is the smell of dampness.
Once you identify this odor, it is difficult to ignore. Essential oil and scented candles can only help a little bit. A musty smell indicates a deeper issue in the home that must be addressed. The Environmental Protection Agency says this smell is often due to mold in the home.
What Causes a Musty Smell?
Mold and mildew are the most common causes of that musty smell. They grow fastest in damp and humid environments. Within a home, several spaces may contain excess moisture, such as soft furnishings or shower curtains, creating a perfect environment for mold and mildew to spread.
These substances can wreak havoc on building materials, possessions, and fabrics. If you have high humidity in your home, that moisture may be the source of the bad smells. Mold can also get into HVAC systems, spreading mold spores and the musty odor throughout the building.
Locating the Source
The most important step in removing musty smells is locating the source. Mold and mildew often grow in basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, attics, and closets. These areas are either inherently wet or hard to reach, making it easier for the substance to spread without being noticed. You should inspect the home for visible signs of mold growth, such as water stains or dampness. Assess the property for water leaks, condensation sources, and poor ventilation.
Always protect yourself when searching for mold. Keep the windows open to avoid breathing in mold spores. Wear protective gear, such as rubber gloves and a dust mask. Use a damp cloth instead of touching mold or chemicals.
DIY Solutions for Musty Smells
You can eliminate musty smells in the house with DIY solutions. You can improve the scent for a small infestation by following these steps. However, if the issue is extensive or your home has significant water damage, calling professionals is necessary. Here are some steps to try if your house smells musty or damp.
Improving Ventilation
Ventilation controls the air circulation in your home. A weak ventilation system means air is not moving through the property efficiently, and stagnant air allows moisture to collect. If you notice musty odors and have an outdated ventilation system installed, upgrading it could effectively eliminate moisture in the house. You should also open windows and doors when cleaning porous materials.
Dehumidifying
Another solution is investing in dehumidifiers. These machines extract water molecules from the air, reducing the space’s humidity. The lower the moisture levels in your home, the less likely you are to face mold or mildew. A dehumidifier can also help with condensation issues with plumbing systems or appliances.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Removing moisture is a separate process from cleaning mold and mildew. You must clean and disinfect all surfaces where these substances have grown to ensure fresh air spreads through your home.
Use mold-killing solutions on hard surfaces like wood or concrete, such as warm water and baking soda or distilled white vinegar. Activated charcoal and apple cider vinegar can also help with the cleaning process.
Clean carpets and upholstered furniture thoroughly with a scrubber and soap solution. Wash or dry-clean any fabrics in contact with mold spores or mildew. Chlorine bleach is also known to help kill mold. Using these methods will help absorb odors and eliminate the source of the musty smell in your house.
Address The Causes of Musty Odors
Musty smells are caused by mold and mildew caused by water damage. Plugging in air purifiers or dehumidifiers may address the smell and the moisture in the air, but it will do nothing to fix the source of the moisture. Here are several strategies to address the actual cause of a musty odor.
Fix Leaks and Water Damage
Moisture is the key ingredient necessary for mold and mildew growth. Even a few drops of excess water in a room could facilitate growth. Therefore, you must address all leaks and water damage as quickly as possible to prevent the development of these organisms. If you can avoid this growth, your home will be free of those musty smells.
Improve Drainage and Waterproofing
Water can enter your home in various ways. First, when you use water with fixtures or appliances, you need an efficient drainage system to remove that water from your home.
Drainage can also be helpful when it rains, and water collects outside the house. Finally, you can waterproof vulnerable areas like basements or crawl spaces with insulation to keep moisture out of the home.
Insulation and Ventilation Upgrades
Moisture can build up when insulation and ventilation are poor. Therefore, upgrading these systems around the house will give you a stronger defense against moisture collection. By preventing moisture with better insulation and ventilation, it will be easier to prevent mildew and mold from developing in the first place.
When to Call a Professional?
Some infestations are simple enough to handle on your own. You may need a new dehumidifier or baking soda solution to clean the damp surfaces effectively. However, when the problem grows beyond your scope of remediation, you must call in the professionals to preserve your property’s air quality and eliminate bad smells.
Mold Inspection and Testing
Contractors will come in and inspect the property thoroughly to find the source of the smell. They may examine heating and cooling systems, walls, floors, crawl spaces, and more to identify the source. Using various testing methods, they will find the source and assess the extent of the mold growth.
Mold Remediation and Removal
Next, your mold remediation team will use specialized equipment to remove mold from the affected room. This process will involve containment, removal, and sanitation. This step is essential to protect everyone living in the home, as mold can cause health complications.
Water Damage Restoration
If water damage is causing excess moisture in your home, the professionals will focus on restoring the affected areas. This includes drying out all surfaces, dehumidifying the space, and repairing damaged materials. They can use specialized equipment like commercial odor absorbers if there are lingering odors.
Contact PacWest Restoration Now!
Bad odors in your home can be frustrating. If you do not have the means to trap moisture and clean the house effectively to eliminate mold or mildew, you can rely on PacWest Restoration to help. Our team can assess the problem, deep clean the damp areas, and eradicate the source of moisture to restore fresh air in your house.
Call us today at 503-746-6545 or complete the online form for a free assessment.
