What Does Black Mold Smell Like?
While people tend to understand the visual signs of black mold in their home, knowing how to recognize the presence of mold by scent is often overlooked. However, in many cases, this may be the first sign that your property has mold issues.
Sometimes, when you enter a basement, mold growth isn’t immediately visible, but you can smell it. This musty mold smell isn’t always okay to ignore. Our sense of smell can generally indicate that mold exists in certain parts of the room. But how exactly can you tell that it’s toxic mold you’re smelling?
The Scent Of Black Mold
What does black mold smell like? Black mold carries an odor that’s hard to ignore. It’s specific and can be distinguished by its musty odor or stale smell. Oddly enough, many people even describe it as the unpleasant smell of sweaty socks.
It’s important to remember that different people have different levels of sensitivities when it comes to smell. Some people won’t notice that a musty basement smells off, while others won’t be able to focus on anything else.
To elaborate, some people can immediately identify the earthy smell in the air and recoil, while others have a higher tolerance for smell and can find it difficult to discover the existence of mold based on the unpleasant odor alone.
Due to our different range in smell, it’s best not to jump to the conclusion that someone is exaggerating about the mold smell. In the end, it might turn out that there’s actually a mold problem in your home, one that is best checked sooner rather than later.
Getting Rid Of The Smell Of Mold
That musty smell of mold can be easily remedied through the prompt and deep cleaning of your moist clothes or carpets. You can also use a fan to remove the black mold smell.
Dry out the partially wet rug or garment by airing them out in the sun to remove smells. This can result in the mold smell evaporating in time. You can also proceed to open the windows in the affected room and around your house to let the air circulate.
Remember, however, that just removing the scent of mold doesn’t remedy the underlying issue of mold being present in your home. This is especially true in the case of black mold. It’s always best to have your home be inspected by experts like Markham Services who can advise you on what to do next.
The Effects Of Black Mold
Even if you only smell the foul odor, you can’t eliminate its presence by ignoring the problem. You might end up with a serious type of mold that can lead to health issues. This type of mold is known as the Stachybotrys chartarum, otherwise known as “black mold.”
Black mold can be toxic. Mold exposure may cause the following symptoms:
- Pain and weakness of the joints
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea)
- Continuous sneezing, sinusitis, and asthma
- Intense headaches and migraines
- Chronic feeling of fatigue
- Brain fog and confusion
- Hearing issues
- Breakout of rashes and hives
- Anxiety attacks and feelings of depression
If you’ve noticed the following symptoms and a strange musty odor lingering in the air, then perhaps black mold spores are the culprit. If that's the case, it's crucial to eliminate them as soon as possible.
Dealing With Black Mold
The first thing you have to do after acknowledging a black mold infestation in your home is to find a resolution. You need to identify the type of fungi you’re faced with and search for its location. The professional experts at Markham Services can inspect your home and test for mold, providing you with the answers you need and guidance on how to move forward with mold remediation.
You can proceed to remove mold on your own using ingredients commonly found in your kitchen. A DIY solution entails getting your hands on some vinegar and commercial mold remover. You also need a tough brush to scrub the mold away. While combating your mold problem at home, it’s also helpful to cover yourself in safety gear. Use a mask and gloves to avoid close contact with the fungi.
However, it’s a much more reliable and safe bet to hire the services of a mold cleaning expert should mold be identified, especially if it’s black mold. You can put yourself at risk by cleaning it by yourself. Schedule an appointment with trusted and licensed environmental specialists. They can get rid of the identified mold.
By having a professional mold expert visiting your home, you can easily have access to key solutions in eliminating mold growth. Experts have the resources and knowledge to handle mold removal. The chances of it remaining gone are much higher with professional help. Markham Services can point you in the right direction for proper mold remedying services should we discover mold in your home.
Bottom Line
If you smell mold and suspect a growing mold presence in your residence, you must take action. You might wake up one day and find that the mold has overtaken a significant portion of your house. This can affect your health badly and result in higher expenses.
Mold issues need to be addressed promptly. The worse it becomes, the more unhealthy it can be to stay in your house. Markham Services can inspect and test your home for mold, providing you with the answers you need!
If you identify a tinge of mold scent, act right away to get rid of the bad mold odor. You’ll be happy you took steps and looked out for your health over the long term. You can contact Markham Services at (407) 913 6363 for effective mold inspection and testing. We’ve been serving our local communities for over 2 decades!
