One of the nastier things that a homeowner may have to deal with during their time with their home is mold. Mold has a terrible reputation because it is destructive, pervasive, and damaging to health. This is why it is so important that homeowners know the signs to look for if their home is infested with mold.
However, sometimes, the signs of mold are not immediately visible. Mold can travel through a home by sending out microscopic spores, so the chance that you will see mold growth as it happens is not guaranteed. You will not see the first sign of mold but will smell it.
Here we will dive in and learn what mold smells like, along with tips on how to get rid of it and how to keep it from coming back.
What Does Black Mold Smell Like?
Whenever someone describes what black mold smells like, two words always come up: musty and damp. But what exactly does that mean?
For the musty side of things, stop and think of what an old basement or attic must smell like. It's that smell that tells you that something is old. The air smells somewhat stale, almost dusty.
As for what constitutes a damp smell, think about what a pile of wet clothes smells like after sitting for a day or two. Simple, home-based fabric fungus eradication techniques are helpful when facing these issues. They're simple and clean the clothes up nicely.
When you take these two smell types and put them together, that is the smell that will permeate your home if you have black mold in it. It is not a pleasant odor.
Reasons For the Smell
The primary reason for the moldy smell is the presence of mVOCs, microbial volatile organic compounds. These compounds are formed in the metabolism of bacteria and fungi. With origins like those, it is no wonder that a nasty smell is produced from them.
The chief and immediate cause for the smell is high humidity because it better carries the mVOCs and further promotes the growth of the present mold. This is because mold means moisture and nutrients to thrive and grow.
Higher humidity means higher moisture levels, which causes mold growth and VOCs.
How to Tell if the Smell is From Black Mold
So now you have some idea of what black mold smells like. However, a strange smell is not enough to conclude that you have mold in your home.
To confirm your suspicion that black mold is in your home, you need to be able to get some measure of visual confirmation. Here are some of the signs you should look for that will help you determine whether or not there is mold in your home. And if there is mold, you need to be able to confirm further whether or not it is black mold.
The things you need to look for are:
- Visible spots – One of the first visual signs of mold growth is the presence of small dark spots, particularly in areas in your home where water is frequently used, such as your laundry room, bathroom, or kitchen.
- Discoloration – Discoloration can be seen as a sign of mold growth, particularly when a white surface turns yellowish or brown. This is especially true for areas with wallpaper.
- Water damage – where there is water damage, there is almost assuredly mold. Any place in your home affected by water damage should have a thorough inspection for mold growth.
Steps to Take If You Suspect Black Mold Growth
Get Your Home Tested
You need to be able to conclusively confirm or deny the presence of mold in your home. The best way to do this is first to get your home tested. There are different approaches you can take to this. You could send away for a DIY home-testing kit to test your home to find hidden dangers. The only problem with this approach is that the results of such kits can be hit or miss.
A professional mold service can conduct thorough tests that give more conclusive results. If mold is in your home, they will confirm (and locate) it.
Take the Proper Precautions
If you are going to test your home for mold or to clean up mold, you must take the proper precautions. You should wear a respirator until you confirm that there is or is not mold in your home. This will keep you from inhaling any mold spores and prevent any sickness.
When to Contact a Professional
If the musty smell is particularly pungent in your home, or if you find mold spread more than ten square feet, you need to accept that this job is bigger than you can handle on your own. You need to call in the help of a water damage and mold damage expert.
A professional contractor for mold cleanup will be able to handle the problem at the scale that is called for with the appropriate tools. Most importantly, they will be able to handle your mold problem safely.
Conclusion
If you smell that damp, musty smell, you know not to waste your time wondering what it could be. You now know how to tackle the problem head-on.
