What To Do About Mold Odor

9/5/2020 (Permalink)

A strong, musty odor may indicate hidden mold

Mold growth in your Langhorne, PA, business can cause a multitude of problems, including an unpleasant odor caused by mycotoxin emission. Fortunately, this smell is not permanent and can usually be addressed fairly easily.

Identifying Mold Odor

Some mold species do not smell, but others produce a very strong smell. The type and location of the mold will determine its smell. The following adjectives are commonly used to describe the odors associated with mildew:

• Musty
  
• Wet
  
• Old
  
• Dank
  
  

If you suspect that you smell mold, the surest way to confirm is to locate the mold itself. Inspect your building for signs of an infestation. In addition to visible growth, these signs can include warping floors or walls, peeling or cracked paint and other types of deterioration. If you suspect the musty odor is coming from the HVAC system, you may be able to tell by turning the system off for a little while. If the odor weakens or disappears, it is likely that you have mold in your air ducts. If you cannot locate the source of the odor, professionals can be hired to inspect the property.

Addressing Mold Odor
Mold remediation will often eliminate the moldy odor. However, in some cases, the mold problem and mycotoxin production may have continued long enough that the odor has permeated the area. In this case, you can run an air purifier with a HEPA filter to trap the mycotoxins and mold spores. If possible, open windows and doors to let in fresh air. If the musty odor has set into fabrics, you may need to clean them using baking soda or vinegar.
The best way to eliminate the odor associated with mycotoxin emission is to remove the mold. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to enlist the help of an experienced restoration service. They can help you get your business back to normal quickly and safely.