What’s That Smell? Understanding Why Mold Stinks

4/11/2019 (Permalink)

The team at SERVPRO has professional cleaning techniques to treat mold properly.

Stale, musty, stuffy – whatever words you use to describe it, we all know the telltale aroma associated with mold smell. While it’s frustrating to face that smell, it’s even more frustrating to smell it and not see mold anywhere. But rest assure, if a mold aroma is in your Thornton, CO building, the fungus is thriving and it’s up to you to find it. Learn more about what causes mold to smell and what options you have for finding it when you can smell it but can’t see it.

Understanding the Stink

Mold is a collection of fungal organisms that replicate via spores. Wherever those spores land, they can potentially thrive particularly if the environment is warm, dark and moist such as you might find in:

   • an attic
   • a crawlspace
   • a bathroom
   • beneath a sink

Basically, anywhere a leak, condensation or the like is continuous, mold can grow. As it grows, mold releases microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). These gasses are responsible for the mold smell. Over time, poor ventilation as well as an increase in mold growth, can make the musty smell stronger and even harder to get out of clothing, upholstery, carpets and other porous surfaces.

How Do I Find It?

Oftentimes the fungus smell will be the only clue that there’s mold afoot – a frustrating reality for someone trying to get rid of the odor. Fortunately, there are a few things you and professionals can do. On your own, you can start by investigating areas where water may be gathering. Try window sills, areas near your water heater and refrigerator, beneath sinks and throughout the bathroom.

Next, a mold remediation specialist can help by using an infrared camera to find heat radiation – a signature that points to moisture inside of walls.
Mildew smell and mold smell is bad enough when you can see the fungus and even more frustrating when you can’t. Contact a mold remediation expert to learn more about your options to detect hidden mold and get your building smelling refreshed.