Musty Odor in Your Home? | American Carpet Cleaning

Plumbing issues, flood, and accidental water spills can lead to mold growth on carpets if left unattended. This can be very difficult to tackle owing to its high growth rate. Once mold and mildew gain a foothold in damp areas, such as the basement of your home, you will be required to put in a lot of effort to combat it. In addition to humid regions, carpets found in poorly ventilated rooms are also susceptible to mold infestation.

It can be challenging to detect mold in carpets, since it often thrives underneath the carpeting surfaces. Apart from the apparent musty smell that emanates from mildew-infested carpeting, regular inspection and mold testing are the only ideal ways that professionals can detect fungus before it spreads.

Mold Testing

Fungi occur naturally after water permeation, so it’s advisable to do a mold test after flood damage or after discovering a plumbing-related leak. Mold testing should be done by mildew remediation specialists immediately after water damage. It would also be in your best interest to have the carpets and rugs professionally cleaned and dried as a preventative measure. Mold infestation under the carpeting can manifest through chronic runny noses in children, sleep trouble and respiratory problems, among other health issues.

Potential fungi growth areas are disturbed during investigations and can release mold spores in the air. For instance, sections of carpets need to be removed for the floorboards to be tested. Therefore, testing and inspection should only be done by a qualified technician, preferably someone with many years of experience.

Musty Odor

There are several types of mold found in homes, all of which produce a specific odor that can be easily identified. You could also experience a weird taste in your mouth before your senses register the odor. Mold produces a musty, unpleasant smell, which some people compare to smelly socks, rotten food or wet leaves. The odor can spread beyond the affected area, which makes it quite difficult to isolate the primary source.

It should be noted that if you live in an affected home, you can quickly get accustomed to its odor, which would subject you to potentially severe health complications. If any of your visitors comment about an odd smell in your home, it could be a sign of carpet mold. The musty smell can also trigger health-related symptoms, such as sneezing, nasal irritation and breathing difficulties.

Getting Rid of the Musty Smell

A musty odor emanating from your carpet is produced when mold is feeding on your carpeting fabrics. Mold growth emits carbon dioxide, water and volatile organic compounds, chemicals that often irritate respiratory passages when inhaled. While there are several do-it-yourself procedures that you can utilize, in most cases, the home products used in the process can barely eliminate the odor. You also can’t remove the smell through air filters.

Therefore, you should have your carpets professionally cleaned by a reputable carpet cleaning company. In addition to receiving a thorough cleaning job, your carpets will be exposed to sunlight and fresh air while being deodorized to remove the musty odor.

Mold testing is used to detect if there is mildew growth in your home, and it is often done by examining your indoor air. Mildew can grow anywhere, as long as there is warmth and moisture. While it can be challenging to detect mold growth under carpets, musty odors in your home are a good indication of an infestation. If you have mold-infested carpets and you need them to be restored, you can trust the American Cleaning & Restoration professionals to do the job efficiently.