7 Reasons Your House Might Smell Musty

Musty odors are usually considered unpleasant by everyone. If you have a musty smell in your house, it’s essential to find the cause and eliminate it as soon as possible. Here are eight of the most common reasons why your house might smell musty, plus some tips on preventing it from happening again in the future.

Everyone loves to come home to a house that smells fresh and clean, but sometimes that fresh scent isn’t quite as fresh as you would like it to be. If your house smells musty or stale, there are several reasons why this might be happening, many of which are easy enough to fix yourself without calling in the professionals. Here are seven reasons why your house might smell musty and the steps you can take to fix it right away.

Mold In The Walls

Musty smells are often caused by mold or mildew that has grown in your walls. Typically, you’ll smell mustiness when entering a room, and it will dissipate after a few minutes. If you notice this type of smell at all times, there’s a good chance that mold is growing behind your walls and causing it. Mold can also cause allergies and trigger respiratory problems for people who are sensitive to it. 

If you think this might be the case, professional mold testing is necessary. It will be hard to eliminate all of your mustiness if an issue with mold growing in your walls or ceiling. Mold inspectors can come to your home and test it. If there are traces of mildew or mold, they’ll advise on treatments needed to get rid of it. These issues need professional help, so you don’t make things worse for yourself!

Under Sink Issues

If you are experiencing musty smells from your kitchen or bathroom sink, it’s probably water pooling under your sink. You can either fix a leak under your sink or install a sump pump to prevent water from pooling in these areas. Also, install an air admittance valve, which will keep sewer gas from seeping into your home.  

Make sure there aren’t any nooks and crannies where water could be collecting since moisture breeds mold; clean out all of your drawers, cabinets, etc., under sinks to ensure they’re draining properly. Finally, take a look at your drain stopper. If something has fallen down the drain, or there isn’t a stopper installed, hair and debris may start accumulating in pipes. These clogs can cause stinky odor issues as well.

A Leaky Roof

Water damage is a big reason why homes can start to smell musty. If your house is leaking, you’ll need to find and repair any damaged areas. Even if it isn’t raining outside, there could be water on your roof that has seeped into your home. Leaky roofs are one of the most common sources of moisture in a home, so it’s essential to take action quickly to prevent mold growth and odor.

Pool Chlorine

If you have a swimming pool, chlorinated water might be causing that awful smell. It can create fumes that spread to your indoor areas and give off an unpleasant odor. To solve these problems, drain your pool when it’s not in use and keep its filter system running at all times. Also, be sure to add chlorine only when necessary and check with local codes to ensure proper maintenance of your pool systems. It will help prevent any unwanted odors from forming in your home.

Moisture in the Air

One of the most common causes of musty odors in a home is moisture or lack thereof. The problem occurs when excess moisture in your HVAC system turns into mold and mildew. To eliminate the excess moisture, it’s needed to make sure you have adequate ventilation and that all drains are clear of debris. If there’s too much moisture in your house, you may want to consider installing an electronic dehumidifier for superior control over humidity levels.

Mildew in Closets and Boxes

Closets are dark, cramped, and often have several nooks and crannies where moisture can hide. When it comes to mildew, these characteristics can be a literal death trap for clothing and shoes. Remove boxes from your closet to create more light and space. If you’re not going to use them for a while, make sure they’re completely dry before you store them away.

Pets Tracking in Grime and Dirt

Pets can make your house smell a little funky, especially if they aren’t kept clean. If your home smells musty, chances are that your pets are left behind some unwanted grime on your carpet or flooring. It can be an easy fix. However, give these spots a good scrubbing, and you should get rid of any extra dirt and odor. Make sure to keep pet messes cleaned up as soon as possible; let them sit around for too long, and you could end up with a real stench problem. 

A musty odor can be bothersome and affect your health. Once you learn about these reasons for a musty smell, you’ll probably be better equipped to combat any lingering odors that may linger in your home. If your indoor air quality is poor enough to adversely affect your health, problems should be addressed immediately.