A musty smell in a home or other indoor environment is often a sign that excess moisture is present and mold may be growing. Musty odors are one of the most common signs of a mold problem. If the source of the musty odor is not addressed, it can lead to mold growth and various health issues.
What causes musty smells?
Musty odors are caused by mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew are types of fungi that thrive in damp, humid environments. They release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have a characteristic moldy or musty scent.
The main causes of musty smells inside a home or building include:
- Water damage from leaks, flooding, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, etc.
- High humidity levels and dampness
- Poor ventilation and lack of fresh air flow
- Tea bags and tea stains that have dried out
- Wet clothes or towels that haven’t fully dried
- Condensation and dampness in basements or crawlspaces
- Wet spots in walls, carpets, flooring, or furnishings from water damage
- Storing books, papers, or fabrics in humid, poorly ventilated areas
If the moisture issue causing the musty smell is not fixed quickly, mold can start growing rapidly. Even small amounts of excess moisture can lead to a musty odor within 48 hours as mold begins to establish itself.
Where are musty smells most likely to occur in a home?
Some areas of a home are more prone to developing musty smells when excess moisture is present:
- Basements or crawlspaces – Basements are very susceptible because they are cool, often damp areas without much air circulation.
- Bathrooms – Mold is common in bathrooms because of the warm, humid conditions from hot showers.
- Laundry rooms – High humidity levels are created from drying clothes indoors.
- Closets or wardrobes – Stagnant air and lack of ventilation allows musty smells to develop.
- Windows and windowsills – Condensation can gather and allow mold to grow if not cleaned up.
- Attics – Attics can become damp and musty after rain or snow gets into the attic space.
- Kitchens – Kitchens contain many water sources including sinks, dishwashers, and refrigerators that can develop leaks.
It’s important to identify and fix any water damage or moisture sources. Then, thoroughly clean and dry any affected areas to get rid of musty odors.
What type of mold causes a musty smell?
Many types of mold can contribute to musty odors in damp locations. Some of the most common include:
- Aspergillus – A very common mold found indoors on building materials, carpets, and in HVAC systems.
- Cladosporium – Thrives in cool, damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
- Penicillium – Commonly grows in wallpaper, carpets, insulation, and on gypsum board.
- Stachybotrys – A black mold found in extremely damp cellulose-rich material.
- Alternaria – Found in carpets, drywall, fabrics, and condensation areas.
- Chaetomium – Grows in very damp crevices and materials like drywall and wood.
In general, mold that grows on natural materials like wood, drywall, and insulation are more likely to cause noticeable musty odors than mold growing on ceramic tiles, metal, glass, or plastic.
Can a musty smell indicate a serious mold problem?
In some cases, a strong musty or earthy smell may indicate a more extensive mold growth. Signs that the musty odor could mean a major mold problem include:
- The musty smell persists despite cleaning and ventilating the area
- The odor is strongest in hidden, enclosed spaces like inside walls or attics
- There are visible signs of mold like black or white specks or slimy growth
- The musty smell gets stronger when carpets are lifted, furniture is moved, or other areas are disturbed
- There are visible water stains or damage in the home
- Anyone in the home has symptoms that could be related to mold exposure like respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue
If there are indications of heavy mold contamination, it is a good idea to have a mold inspection done by a professional. An inspector can locate areas of hidden mold growth and take samples to determine if toxic varieties like black mold are present.
Can I get rid of musty smells myself?
You can eliminate minor musty odors yourself using these DIY methods:
- Clean any visible mold with detergent and water
- Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in problem rooms like basements or bathrooms
- Run exhaust fans regularly when showering or cooking
- Increase ventilation by opening windows to let fresh air circulate
- Use baking soda, white vinegar, or other absorbents to soak up musty smells from books, furniture, or carpets
- Wash any moldy or musty-smelling clothing and fabrics with borax and detergent
However, if the musty smell persists despite your cleaning attempts, you likely need professional help. A mold remediation company can find and eliminate the moisture source, dry out affected building materials, and use chemicals and air filtering systems to remove stubborn musty odors.
What health issues can a musty smell cause?
Prolonged exposure to a musty environment allows mold spores and chemicals to become airborne where they can be inhaled. This may lead to various mold-related illnesses including:
- Allergies – Reactions like sinus congestion, runny nose and sneezing.
- Asthma – Existing asthma worsened and attacks triggered.
- Respiratory infections – Increased colds, bronchitis, pneumonia.
- Headaches and fatigue – From inflammatory reactions to mold toxins.
- Skin irritation – Rashes or skin inflammation.
Those most at risk of illness from musty indoor air include infants, children, the elderly, pregnant women, those with respiratory conditions, and people with weakened immune systems. See a doctor right away if you are experiencing worrisome symptoms after exposure to musty indoor air.
Should I hire a mold inspector if I notice a persistent musty smell?
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Hiring a professional mold inspector is highly recommended if a musty odor persists for more than 2-3 days or seems to be getting worse. An inspector can pinpoint the origin of the smell, assess how far the mold has spread, and determine if it is a dangerous variety like black mold.
Trying to solve a musty odor yourself without identifying the root cause often leads to wasting time and money on ineffective solutions or the mold worsening. Professional mold testing provides valuable information on the appropriate response needed to permanently eliminate the musty odor.
What does it cost to hire a mold inspector?
The cost to hire a mold inspector ranges from $300 to $600 on average. Here are some factors that affect the cost:
- Size of the home – Larger homes cost more to inspect.
- Sampling testing – Additional $50 to $150+ per sample to identify specific mold types.
- Invasive inspection – Removing sections of drywall or lifting carpets raises the price.
- Location – Pricing is higher in some metro areas.
- Experience of the inspector – Those with more expertise often charge more.
While a basic visual inspection costs $300 – $400 for most single family homes, full testing of a larger home with 5-10 samples could run $600 – $800. Get at least 3 quotes to compare pricing between local mold inspectors.
What does a mold inspector check for?
During a professional mold inspection, the inspector will:
- Thoroughly walkthrough all rooms looking for visible mold, water damage, or dampness.
- Identify areas likely to have hidden mold growth behind walls or under materials.
- Use moisture meters to check for dampness in walls, wood, and other materials.
- Assess ventilation and identify sources contributing to high humidity.
- Review any history of water damage, leaks, or flooding issues.
- Take air and surface samples for lab testing if ordered.
- Provide a detailed inspection report with locations of mold and recommended remediation steps.
A mold inspector will check the entire building envelope including walls, attics, basements, crawlspaces, carpets, vents, wood, and any other areas that might support mold growth or harbor excess moisture. Their training allows them to recognize signs many homeowners would miss.
Should I hire a mold remediation company if the inspector confirms a problem?
If an inspection uncovers a moderate to severe mold issue, the inspector will recommend hiring a professional mold remediation company. Here are some key reasons why:
- They have the proper containment equipment like plastic sheeting to prevent spreading spores.
- They can accurately assess how far mold has spread into walls, insulation, etc.
- They have commercial dehumidifiers and air scrubbers to thoroughly dry affected materials.
- They have access to mold killing chemicals homeowners cannot buy.
- They can perform structural repairs needed to fix moisture issues.
- They have professional-grade HEPA vacuums to capture mold spores stirred up in the remediation process.
- They have specialized training and experience with proven mold removal techniques.
Mold remediation requires training and equipment beyond what typical homeowners have access to. Trying DIY methods may worsen the problem by spreading spores from contaminated materials to other areas of the home during removal.
Conclusion
In summary, a persisting musty odor in a home should never be ignored. It likely indicates excess moisture and mold growth needing prompt attention. While minor cases can be addressed with DIY cleaning, scrubbing, and increased ventilation, a stubborn musty smell or visible mold usually requires professional help. Hiring a mold inspector and remediation company provides the expertise and tools needed to:
- Accurately locate all hidden mold growth
- Identify moisture issues causing the mold
- Determine if hazardous mold varieties are present
- Safely and properly remediate the mold contamination
- Repair building structures or systems to prevent recurrence of the problem
Addressing a musty indoor air issue at the first sign of an odor can prevent much larger problems later on. Lingering moisture and mold can lead to respiratory problems, costly home repairs and potential lawsuits from tenants or buyers. Acting quickly to identify and permanently fix the root causes of a musty smell provides long-term health and financial benefits.
