What to do if my Palm Beach Home Smells Musty?

9/15/2022 (Permalink)

What to Do if Your Palm Beach Home Smells Musty?

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When you live in an area with subtropical humid summers and almost no rain between June and October, musty odors are almost inevitable. If your home smells musty, take action to eliminate the problem before it worsens. Mold spores thrive in humid conditions that lack air circulation. Common sources of musty odors include leaky windows or walls, un-vented crawl spaces, overheated plumbing (for example if a hot water pipe bursts), or even dirt flooring or damp earth near the house. You can tackle most mildew problems yourself by identifying their source and taking corrective measures. If the smell is intense or you notice visual evidence of mold, call IICRC-certified mold remediators at SERVPRO for further inspection. Read on to learn more about these filth-Fighting strategies and techniques:

Fix water leaks

Water leaks from pipes, showers, faucets, and toilets are the most common source of musty odors in a home. Sewer gas can also cause odors, so if you smell sewage or a rotting egg smell, call a plumber. You can usually fix a water leak yourself. Watch for signs such as water stains or a soggy area around a pipe. If you find a leak, shut off the water, repair the leak, and dry out the area. If you can’t find the leak, call a plumber.

Repair leaky roof

Mould often grows in the roof space, especially if there’s a gap or crack in the membrane. Roof maintenance is not usually a priority for homeowners, but it can be one of the best investments you make to reduce the number of musty odors in your home. If you find a roof leak, call a roofer for repair.

Determine if there is condensation buildup in the home

Condensation occurs when warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces, especially windows. If you have windows that face south or west, they’re more likely to develop condensation on the inside. To prevent and control condensation, consider installing low-e windows, adding insulation, changing your thermostat settings, and adding exhaust fans to your kitchen and bathrooms to exhaust moist air.

Improve your home ventilation

If you have a dirt or sand floor, use a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in the air, or a floor-drying machine to help dry out the soil and reduce the amount of moisture in the air. You can also install a whole-house ventilation system to dry out your home and remove musty odors.

Call SERVPRO to remediate any water damage and help dry out your belongings and home.

If you discover an extensive water leak or flood, such as a burst pipe or broken water heater, call a water damage professional immediately. Rushing to extract water and other liquid messes without special training and equipment is dangerous and can make the problem worse. A professional will know how to quickly and safely clean up the mess and help you avoid health hazards. When a water damage event occurs, you need a team you can trust to respond quickly. SERVPRO of West Palm Beach is ready to dispatch a crew in minutes to help restore your property. Our technicians are highly trained in water damage restoration, mold remediation, and all other aspects of disaster recovery, and they are ready to help you with your Palm Beach water damage or mold damage restoration needs.