My House Smells Musty

12/12/2016 (Permalink)

Now that it has cooled off outside and people are spending significantly more time in their homes, we have been getting quite a number of calls for mold testing.  The number one reason people have been calling for testing is due to a "musty smell" in their home.  It doesn't take much for mold to form indoors; a small water leak or excess humidity could be cause enough for mold growth to begin.  Now, one must understand that mold is everywhere and is completely impossible to eradicate, however, mold does not tend to irritate us until it has had a chance to grow; causing it to produce allergens and irritants. 

A water leak does not have to be present for mold growth to occur.  Please understand that an increase in humidity in the home can also create an environment susceptible to mold growth.  It is recommended that indoor humidity be kept below 45% in order to prevent the growth of mold.  This can be difficult in older homes that utilize water or steam heat as these tend to increase the humidity level indoors.  If this is the case for you, it may be to your benefit to place dehumidifiers strategically throughout your home where humidity levels tend to be the highest.  An indoor humidity meter can be picked up for just a few bucks online if this is something that concerns you. I (Andrea) actually have a humidity meter on my alarm clock that allows me to monitor the humidity in my bedroom and I run a dehumidifier as needed.

If all else fails and you are concerned, please give us at SERVPRO of Lapeer & Grand Blanc a call.  We would be happy to come test your home for Mold in order to give you the peace of mind that you deserve.  Please know that if mold is found, our technicians come highly trained in Mold Remediation and have specialized Mold Remediation Equipment that allows us to effectively address the each unique mold issue our clients present.  If mold is identified and remediation must occur, rest assured that SERVPRO of Lapeer & Grand Blanc is ready to help.  The steps listed below illustrate our process for a “typical” mold remediation:

1. Emergency Contact - (810) 664-1000
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
7. Restoration

For more information, please visit us here http://www.SERVPROlapeer.com/mold-removal-process or call the office anytime (810) 664-1000.

Take the Interactive Mold House Tour https://www.epa.gov/mold/interactive-mold-house-tour

Photo Credit: EPA.gov