Like it or not, there is mold everywhere, be it in the air we breathe or on some of the surfaces with which we come into contact. Despite how common mold may be in our world, efforts should still be made to avoid its presence–especially in your home–to avoid varying health effects, including nasal, throat, skin, and eye irritation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those who are most prone to such symptoms are typically those with mold allergies or sensitivities or the immune compromised. However, even if you and your family members don’t fall into this category, there’s another good reason to tend to the mold matters in your home: the mold smell.
What Makes Mold Smell?
Most people tend to know a mold or mildew smell when it wafts their way. That musty, sometimes pungent, odor is produced when mold spores feed on organic matter. This includes wood, natural fibers, or paper, and then releases water, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds into the air. Mold prefers warm, dark, moist areas, which is why the musty mold smell is most common in basements, bathrooms, and attics. Visible clues, such as dark spots, are an easy sign that mold is present, but it’s your nose that will catch on quickly to mold hiding out in places such as behind walls and near pipes.
Mold Smell Removal
Air fresheners and scented candles can only mask musty mold smells. In order to really rid yourself of the stinky stuff, you need to tackle mold at its source.
- Let your nose lead the way to where musty smells are strongest.
- Consider cleaning small areas of visible mold with over-the-counter products or a one-to-one bleach/water solution.
- Bleach doesn’t kill the mold source. If mold returns or the musty smell doesn’t go away, it’s best to call in mold remediation experts. They have equipment to assess the type of mold growing and the level of toxicity it contains. They can advise you on the best course of action for removing the mold, as well as how to reduce or eliminate the source of the moisture problem.
- After a moisture problems is mitigated, address any lingering mold smells like the professionals. Accomplish this by renting an air purifier and deodorizer. This machine doesn’t cover up the smells like air fresheners.Instead it breaks them down and eliminates them from your space.
Prevent Mold Smell
Quite possibly the best way to keep your home free of musty mold odors is to prevent the growth of mold in the first place. This means eliminating excess moisture using dehumidifiers, exhaust fans, and air conditioners. If weather allows, opening windows can help to increase air circulation and dry out damp areas.
Mold Remediation Specialist
You don’t have to live with the lingering odor of musty mold. Let our experts guide you toward a clean, safe, and mold-smell free environment with professional services to keep your home safe and comfortable. At McMahon Services and Construction, our mold remediation specialists first locate the moisture source. Then we are able to start the mold remediation process with containment and cleaning up the mold.
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