If a House Smells Musty, Is There Mold?

Find out why your house smells musty and what to do about it.

A musty odor is often a sign that mold and mildew could be growing in your home.

This can lead many to wonder, “Where is the mold located then?”

In this quick guide, we’ll help you understand the causes of mold and mildew and how to address the problem.

Removing mold itself can be easy or very hard depending on the situation, but if you don’t address the cause of it, it’ll likely just keep coming back.

Musty Smell Cause - Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are the most common causes of a musty smell in homes.

These fungi grow in damp conditions. So if you detect that musty, rotten smell, you likely have moisture issues somewhere in your home.

Water Leaks

Water leaks from pipes, roofs, or other sources that go unnoticed can lead to mold relatively quickly.

Mold and mildew grow on organic materials, like carpet, wood, drywall, insulation, and upholstery.

High Humidity Without Proper Ventilation

High humidity that isn’t properly ventilated creates the conducive environment for mold and mildew to develop and spread.

Indeed, there’s no leak, but high enough humidity, often present here in the south, can also support the fungi’s life.

Without proper airflow or ventilation, stagnant air accumulates moisture.

These conditions are often found in bathrooms and any other poorly ventilated areas.

How to Find Mold

If there’s no clear sign of mold for you to see, not just smell, start your mold investigation in the areas where it typically hides:

Check behind furniture against exterior walls
Look under sinks and around plumbing
Examine window sills and frames
Inspect bathroom walls, especially near shower/tub

You can also try some of these techniques.

Press gently on walls and ceilings; soft spots can indicate water damage
Look for discoloration or water stains, even slight ones
Check for peeling paint or wallpaper
Use a flashlight at an angle to spot subtle surface changes
Feel for dampness or temperature differences on walls

In the end, if you can’t find mold, it might be worth hiring a mold inspection company.

It’s best to make sure there’s truly no risk of mold because missing it and breathing its spores for a long time can cause certain health issues.

What to Do About Mold

When Can You Remove It Yourself and How

The moldy area should be small (about 10 square feet or less).

Also, ensure you have the right protective gear, such as gloves, goggles, and a mask, to avoid inhaling mold and mildew spores excessively.

To effectively remove the mold, follow these steps:

Seal Any Leaks: Look for the source of leaks and seal them if you can.
Ventilate: Open windows and/or doors so fresh air will come in. Consider installing a permanent ventilation solution in the place if it usually has a lot of moisture inside.
Clean the Area: You could use an antimicrobial disinfectant for this. Please note that we only recommend doing so on non-porous or semi-porous surfaces like wood or tile, and not on ones like drywall.

When to Call a Mold Remediation Professional

If the affected area is larger than 10 square feet or the mold has damaged multiple items, like drywall, insulation, and/or some of your furniture, you should let us remove it for you.

It’s hard to tell sometimes if there’s “too much mold,” but here are some additional signs that clearly show you should let us inspect and deal with the situation:

If you find extensive water damage
If there’s a known history of water issues
If the mold comes back after cleaning

If any of these are the case, call Superior Contract Cleaning today for mold remediation.

Summary

You should solve any mold problem urgently, whether you do it yourself or seek professional help.

If you find yourself asking, “Why does my house smell musty?” don’t hesitate to contact us for help.

We offer professional mold restoration and cleaning services, and we will leave your home smelling fresh.