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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Why Mold Smells Bad and What That Means for Your Business

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Black mold growth on drywall Don't ignore a mold smell at your business.

Why Mold Can Smell?

Recently, you've noticed a musty smell when you first walk into the office in the morning in East Greenwich, RI. You're suspicious that it could be mold, but you've checked the likely places — bathrooms, under plants, the lunchroom refrigerator — but you haven't seen anything that looks like mold. What now? Typically, if you notice a mold smell, it's a sign that there is mold somewhere. Here are the three reasons why mold can smell and how to find out if it's hiding in the walls.

1. What Is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that happily grows in warm, moist environments. Mold exists everywhere — indoors and outdoors — so spores are always present and ready to move in and grow anywhere when they find a suitable location. Mold can grow on many surfaces, especially on porous materials, and comes in many colors.

2. What Causes the Smell?

The fungus smell or musty odor that you notice is caused by compounds that mold produces and releases into the air; mold itself does not smell. Because the presence of mold causes bad smells, it is important to call a mold remediation specialist to come and do an assessment soon after you notice a mold smell. Even if you can't see it, mold is likely present somewhere and needs to be addressed.

3. How Can You Find Hidden Mold?

When the remediation professional comes, they will do a visual inspection like you did, but they also have access to top-of-the-line tools, such as thermal cameras that allow them to look behind your walls to find areas of moisture that may be a breeding ground for mold. Thermal cameras measure the energy that is emitted from an object. The professionals will be able to tell if a pipe is leaking or if a crack in the foundation is allowing moisture to seep into the building. Then, they will be able to advise you on what needs to be done for proper mold cleanup.
Don't ignore a mold smell at your business. Even if you can't see mold, a mildew smell is a strong indicator of a mold problem.

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