There are six basic issues to know when it comes to mold or mildew smells. First, if you detect the musty smell in your house (which most recognize as mold or mildew, even though mildew occurs most typically on living plants not inside a home), you most assuredly will find mold somewhere in the building. Second, there are some molds which give off no smells at all so never rely on smell alone to tell you whether or not mold exists in your home. Third, even though it has been deliberated whether the gases (or smell) released by mold is dangerous we do know that the presence of these gases (smells) do signify a problem exists. Forth, should there be mold in your home (odorless or otherwise) you must detect it, eradicate it and fix whatever caused it. Fifth, you may use self inspection kits as part of your routine home maintenance process, however you should make sure you do periodically have professional inspections done as well (which are somewhat more expensive than the DIY types of inspections). Sixth, once you have gotten rid of your mold problems you may not have necessarily gotten rid of the mold smell. As with many gases (odors) the musty smell of mold may have seeped into various materials surrounding it--most notably curtains and carpets and such.
Remember that there are many types of molds which may cause the odors to vary as well. The circumstances (how damp, how hot, how much light, what it is growing on etc.) causing the mold to develop will play a part in how (or if) the mold smells. Not only do the various types of mold differ odor-wise, they will vary visually as well (most typically color variances although some are hard to see at all).
When mold is found most likely whatever problem causing the mold has caused other hazards which may be giving off their own odors in addition to the smells produced by the mold--sometimes masking the smell of mold. A few examples could be the rotting corpse of a dead animal, sewage leaks, dangerous pesticides leaking, and deadly gases leaking from AC or Heating units (etc.).
Remember the smell produced by mold in no way tells us how big the problem is or whether the problem is poisonous.
It is not always possible but can be very helpful to know a buildings history when trying to ascertain where a problem may lie. For example if you know there was a plumbing leak you may want to begin the inspection there.
When it comes to odor sensitivity everyone is different. Chances are that one person may become aware of an odor much more rapidly than others.
As a final note, remember that odor perception may be thrown off if you are ill or undergoing specific medical treatments. In either case you may be prevented from noticing smells or on the other hand you may find yourself imagining smells. - 27772
Remember that there are many types of molds which may cause the odors to vary as well. The circumstances (how damp, how hot, how much light, what it is growing on etc.) causing the mold to develop will play a part in how (or if) the mold smells. Not only do the various types of mold differ odor-wise, they will vary visually as well (most typically color variances although some are hard to see at all).
When mold is found most likely whatever problem causing the mold has caused other hazards which may be giving off their own odors in addition to the smells produced by the mold--sometimes masking the smell of mold. A few examples could be the rotting corpse of a dead animal, sewage leaks, dangerous pesticides leaking, and deadly gases leaking from AC or Heating units (etc.).
Remember the smell produced by mold in no way tells us how big the problem is or whether the problem is poisonous.
It is not always possible but can be very helpful to know a buildings history when trying to ascertain where a problem may lie. For example if you know there was a plumbing leak you may want to begin the inspection there.
When it comes to odor sensitivity everyone is different. Chances are that one person may become aware of an odor much more rapidly than others.
As a final note, remember that odor perception may be thrown off if you are ill or undergoing specific medical treatments. In either case you may be prevented from noticing smells or on the other hand you may find yourself imagining smells. - 27772
About the Author:
Dr. Eugene M. (Mike) Holder is President of EMH Quantum Leap, LLC. Previously he held various positions in Birmingham and Huntsville, AL as a Project Engineer and Consultant including: American Buildings Company, Butler Manufacturing Co. Inc., Southern Research and Law Engineering Testing Company. He also spent 5 years as a Safety Engineer with Alabama Power. For more information about Dr. Holder and his new technology to test mold: www.moldtimer.com
1 comments:
Mold doesn't need light and air to grow, just moisture and material to feed on will sustain it for very long time. This is truly a fact that molds are present everywhere. This is really frustrating to have these dirt and molds eating your homes slowly. You badly need like the Brooklyn mold inspections team to totally get rid of it. Aside from being clean, health considerations are also an issue since this could affect any of the family members.
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