Collaborative post
Noticed a musty smell in your home? This unpleasant distinctive odour is often caused by damp or mould growth. If there’s visible damp or mould growth on your walls, this is likely to be the culprit behind the smell. However, it’s not always obvious as to where a musty smell is coming from. This post delves into a few alternative causes of a musty smell that could be worth looking into.
Lack of ventilation
Homes need to be well ventilated in order to allow fresh air in and allow stale air out. If you never open windows and don’t use extractor fans, odours are likely to build up in your home. Condensation can also build up in unventilated homes and lead to damp and mould growth – which can lead to mustiness. Try opening all the windows in your home for a day and turn on any extractor fans you have to see if this eliminates the smell.
Plumbing leaks
Your home may smell musty after a plumbing leak if you don’t immediately take measures to dry the affected area. Sometimes homes can experience plumbing leaks without us realising, which may cause an odour. Look out for signs of a hidden leak such as changes in water pressure, dripping sounds, spikes in your water bill or strange pools of water/damp patches. A plumber may be able to help you find the leak.
Rainwater leaks
Rainwater can also leak into our homes and cause a musty odour. It may enter our home through a crack in the roof, a crack in a window frame or even a crack in a wall. This can quickly lead to moisture damage and mildew. Unlike plumbing leaks which are often constant, a rainwater leak will only occur after it has been raining. You may be able to patch up this leak yourself, however a professional may be required for certain leaks such as mystery roof leaks.
Old carpets
Old carpets can often develop a musty smell. Although you may not be able to see it, there could be moisture and mould deep within the fibres. If you’ve had the same carpets for many years, consider stripping them and getting new carpets or alternative flooring.
Faulty HVAC
HVAC issues can also lead to musty air being pumped around your home. Common HVAC problems that could cause this include clogged filters, frozen evaporator coils or a full drain pan. Consider calling out a HVAC technician to diagnose and fix the issue.
Mouldy appliances
Appliances around the home can also produce musty smells due to mould trapped in the seals or clogged filters. Common culprits include washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators. Deep cleaning these appliances with baking soda or vinegar may help eliminate the smell. Alternative, you may want to call out an appliance technician to take a look.
Damp clothes
Leaving damp clothes in the washing machine or in a pile could lead to a musty odour developing. Even a crumpled wet towel left on the floor can make a room musty. Make sure clothes and wet towels are hung up to dry or placed in a drier. If they’ve already developed a musty smell, you may want to wash them again before doing this.