It’s always difficult when things happen beyond our control, yet it is very important to take care of issues causing musty smells in the crawl space. Mold can adversely affect the health of all those who live in the home, as well as the house itself.
It’s never pleasant to smell anything musty, but it can be more disconcerting when the smell is coming from the crawl space underneath your home in Derby, Kansas. There are several reasons why this could be happening; I’ll be honest, none are too pleasant to consider. But considering them is really the only way to get rid of the musty smell which could begin to affect your home and your health if not taken care of.
MOST COMMON REASONS FOR MUSTY SMELLS
- Humidity
- Moisture
- Mold
- Mildew
- Pests/Animals
More common than not, the musty smell is originating from one or more of these factors.
HIGH HUMIDITY AND MOISTURE = MOLD AND MILDEW
Crawl spaces can experience very high humidity and moisture, which provide a piece of what it takes for mold and mildew to grow. Mold requires moisture, food and oxygen to grow. This can easily (and unfortunately) be found in a crawl space that has experienced a water leak or flooding in the past or is exposed to high humidity and excessive moisture in Derby, Kansas. Crawl space moisture creates ideal conditions for both mold and mildew. It takes approximately 24-48 hours for mold to begin growing, so of course clean-up within that time frame is important, but may not always happen that way. This happens often when the issue is an unknown one, until the musty smell starts to emanate from the crawl space.
FINDING A SOLUTION
Some small mold issues can certainly be taken care of by yourself, with safety in mind of course. But when it comes to possible mold in a crawl space, it is time to have a mold inspection done in Derby, Kansas. The inspection will provide information about the mold growth and what needs to be done to remediate.
Some possible solutions that the mold remediation specialist might recommend:
- Remove any standing water that may be present
- Mold remediation processes to remove existing mold
- Install airtight doors and vent covers
- Install a dehumidifier
- Encapsulate and insulate with a crawl space vapor barrier
PREVENTION FOR THE FUTURE
It is said an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If we are talking about mold, this can be true too. Prevention, especially after having any remediation done, is the best course of action to keep mold from making its home in your home again in Derby, Kansas.
The CDC recommends the following mold prevention tips:
- Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low.
- Be sure the air in your home flows freely.
- Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
- Clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away.
It’s true that it can be upsetting to have to go through this experience in Derby, Kansas. It’s always difficult when things happen beyond our control, yet it is very important to take care of issues causing musty smells in the crawl space. Mold can adversely affect the health of all those who live in the home, as well as the house itself. Animals and pests can do the same in a different way. If you are looking for help, please give us a call using the information below. We would be happy to help you get this musty smell crawl space mystery solved and resolved!
“Very friendly. I will use their help again.”
— Kathy U. in Hutchinson, Kansas
