When you come home at the end of the day or invite people over, you want your home to be as comfortable and inviting as possible. Along with keeping it clean, it’s important to keep your home smelling good.
Unfortunately, you may notice unexpected odors in your home, which can be quite concerning as it can pose health risks for you and your family. Let’s dive into what causes these smells and how to prevent it in the future.
Why Does My House Smell Musty?
There are various reasons why you may notice a musty smell in your home. The odor usually develops gradually, but there are also times when the smell comes on quickly. By understanding what causes musty smells and how to reach the target, it’s easier to take care of the source.
One thing to note here is that simply using an air freshener may mask the odor, but only for a little while. If the odor continues to lurk in your home, it can sometimes develop into something more serious – and even cause allergies, respiratory irritation, and other symptoms among your family members.
Poor maintenance and not cleaning enough are not the only reasons why musty smells can start to lurk in your home. Sometimes, these smells may be present even in cases where you regularly clean your home – which could mean that ventilation or humidity, among other things, are the issue at hand.
Finding the Source
The first step to treating a musty smell is by identifying the source. This means learning more about the specific things that can cause these musty smells in your home.
Here are some of the most common reasons for such odors:
- Mold and Mildew: In the majority of cases where you have a musty smell, the source will be mold and mildew. Humid conditions are usually the cause for mold and mildew to develop. This issue is related to fungi that develop on walls, carpets, and other surfaces in your home. You may notice discoloration on certain surfaces when you have mold and mildew, such as the ceiling, your furniture, or the walls.
- Wet Linens And Clothes: Another common reason for musty smells is when you do not allow linen and clothes to dry properly after washing. This odor can lurk in your home for a long period of time.
- Poor Ventilation: Ventilation is important for overall air quality and allows moisture to be circulated outside. If you do not have proper ventilation in your home, then it can also be the cause for the mold, mildew, and moisture buildup that can cause a musty smell.
Dirty rugs, a high humidity level, and an accumulation of grime are also possible culprits that you should not overlook.
How To Get Rid Of Musty House Smells
When it comes to getting rid of the musty smells, it is important to ensure you first investigate your home and find the cause. Finding the source of these odors is the very first step. It is, unfortunately, also one of the harder steps, as it can sometimes be difficult to pin down the location. Once you find the source, it’s time to eliminate it.
With mold and mildew, you’ll use the right chemicals or formulas to remove the fungi from surfaces. If you do find it difficult to pin down the source, calling professionals can definitely be the better choice to give you a more effective solution.
Test Your Home’s Air Quality
It’s important to note that poor air quality can sometimes also be the reason behind musty smells. A high humidity, for example, can cause moisture to collect on your surfaces. You can test the air quality yourself with specialized equipment or hire a professional to come and do an inspection for you.
Let the Experts at Crawlspace Doctor Help You
Mold and mildew can sometimes develop in small spaces throughout your home. Undetected, they can cause structural damage and leave spores in the air, which can adversely affect your health. Crawlspace Doctor specializes in assessing your crawlspaces and identifying sources of a musty smell. Our expert team can effectively remove any sources of musty smells and help to restore healthier air inside your home.
Get in touch today to learn how we can get rid of these odors for you.