Why does mold smell

While this smell is commonly found outdoors, if a homeowner notices it in their house, it is an almost definitive sign that mold is growing. When mold is concentrated, sneezing and headaches are common symptoms that homeowners who may have a mold allergy can experience.

Other common symptoms may include a runny nose, itchy throat, congestion, and dry skin. These symptoms are remarkably similar to that of seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever. A mold allergy occurs when spores get into your nose and cause the symptoms. When they reach your lungs, they can also cause asthma. Sometimes these symptoms are delayed and may worsen over time.

The biggest reason homeowners should take care of mold as soon as they smell it is that some forms of mold are toxic , and therefore could be potentially hazardous. Toxic mold typically causes neurological symptoms, such as dizziness, decreased focus, headaches, and memory loss.

If you find yourself experiencing any of the above symptoms regularly, you may want to seek medical attention and have a professional assess the mold situation in your home. If you smell mold in your house, the first thing you should do is sniff around to locate where the growth is coming from.

Because mold likes to grow in a dark area, it may not be visible right away. Bring a light source and look for surfaces that collect moisture, especially in corners and tight spaces without much airflow. Once the scent and its source have been located, assess the severity of the mold. If a homeowner decides the problem is small enough to tackle on their own, they can follow these steps to thoroughly clean the affected area.

After the mold is eliminated, homeowners can take different precautions to prevent it from returning. They should install dehumidifiers in any area where humidity is an issue. Having a ceiling fan on in a room that is mildew-prone is another way to keep the area dry and prevent the spread. Understanding how to identify mold by scent can help homeowners detect a mold or mildew problem before it gets worse, and potentially save themselves from negative health symptoms and home damage.

Disclosure: BobVila. Mold is made up of tiny, generally transparent filaments called hyphae. As these hyphae take in nutrients from the substrate they are growing on they create a fuzzy blanket called mycelium.

This is when molds become visible. As the mycelium reaches the next stage of development it is ready to spread. To do this it creates and distributes spores. A lot of spores. To correctly classify the genus or species of mold laboratory testing must be done, however, identification is probably unnecessary if you intend to have it cleaned up. Breathing in mold spores can cause health problems for some individuals.

The symptoms of mold-related illness are frequently respiratory issues, irritated eyes, rashes, sinus congestion, sneezing and headaches. There are certain types of molds that release mycotoxins that have been known to cause severe neurological problems.

Whether or not individuals are affected by mold is dependent on a number of factors:. At greater risk are people with compromised immune systems, asthma, the elderly, small children and pregnant women. If you are concerned about a musty smell in your home, you can schedule an inspection to conduct proper mold testing.

At The BrickKicker, we believe that every home inspection should also be a mold investigation. Our inspectors are trained to look for visible mold in the areas of homes where mold is likely to grow.

We recommend following EPA guidance when it comes to mold testing and remediation. The short answer to this question is yes, mold does have a distinct odor. Just as some people find the aroma of floral perfume to be pleasant while others find it nauseating, some people are more sensitive to mold smells than others.

And that brings to our next point…. How do I get rid of mold smells? If you can pinpoint the source of the smell and eliminate it, then the scent may just dissipate naturally. You can help the process along by opening a window or venting the room with a fan, as well. Mold infestations almost never go away on their own; instead, they only get worse with time. And if you deny the problem for too long, a funky smell may eventually become the least of your concerns.