What a Musty Odor in Your Basement Really Means
The short answer: Maybe…
- A musty odor could indicate a mold problem
- A musty odor could indicate a damp condition that will lead to a mold problem
Mold is a living thing that requires moisture to grow, so a damp basement is a perfect spot for mold spores to activate. But how do you know if you have a damp basement? One easy way to tell is by the smell.
William Powers, who performs mold inspecions in Danbury, tells us: “Building materials absorb moisture from the air like a sponge and begin to have an odor that we associate with dampness. Since we often see materials in this environment with mold on them, we associate mold with this odor. However, this odor occurs even if mold is not present. An important concern, though, is that building materials can move quickly from smelling “moldy” because of elevated moisture content to actually being moldy.”
The Danbury mold inspector continues, “Achieving and maintaining a dry environment is essential to avoiding a mold problem and even addressing a musty odor issue. So running a sufficiently-sized, self-emptying dehumidifier is very important in any basement. Plus, if you reduce relative humidity in your basement to around 50-55%, the musty odor will usually go away.”
How can you know if the musty odor in your basement (or in the basement of a home you are considering purchasing) is just a damp basement or an indicator of an actual mold condition? You need a thorough assessment by a certified mold assessor not just a mold remediator in Danbury.
Powers Environmental LLC is a New York State licensed mold assessment company also providing mold inspections in Connecticut and New Jersey. — Original Surce
POWERS ENVIRONMENTAL LLC
6 Deepwood Drive
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 702-0101
12 Terrace Place
New Milford, CT 06776
(203) 775-4885
137 S. Searsville Rd.
Montgomery, NY 12549
(845) 457-6249
191 Combs Drive
Paramus, NJ 07652
877-383-9814
17 Prospect Drive
Yonkers, NY 10705
(914) 294-2323
Media Contact
Company Name: Powers Environmentsl LLC
Contact Person: William Powers
Email: Send Email
Phone: (203) 702-0101
Address:6 Deepwood Drive 06810
City: Danbury
State: CT
Country: United States
Website: http://powersiaq.com/connecticut/certified-mold-inspections-danbury-ct-mold-testing-service-company/