Don’t risk catching a respiratory infection or being embarrassed by your house’s musty odour by ignoring mould. Understanding how mould grows and how to eliminate it will assist you in keeping your living area feeling fresh and clean.
With that in mind, Reztor Restoration has compiled the following data on the smell of mould. It also explains its growth characteristics, potential health effects, and methods for eradicating mould and its odour.
What Smells Like Mould?
Moulds produce volatile chemicals that are easily released into the air. Chemicals produced by microorganisms are referred to as volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). Mould development is typically associated with a “mouldy or musty scent.” Mouldy smells are a sure sign of mould growing in your home.
Although exposure to mVOCs has been associated with symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, exhaustion, and nausea, the health implications of inhaling mVOCs are mainly unclear. More research is needed to evaluate whether non-occupational indoor exposure to mVOCs affects human health.
Moisture Control is the Key to Mould Control.
It is critical to dry water-damaged places and products to prevent mould growth within 24-48 hours. If you have mould in your home, clean it up and eliminate any excess water or moisture. Repair any leaking plumbing or other water sources. Using detergent and water, thoroughly clean and dry all hard surfaces. Mouldy absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles and carpet) may need to be changed.
To What Extent Does Mould Pose a Health Risk to People?
The presence of mould inside is rare unless spores from a mouldy food source settle on a moist surface and begin to grow. Moulds have the potential to be harmful to one’s health. Moulds create allergens and irritants (substances that might induce allergic reactions). In susceptible people, inhaling or handling mould or mould spores may induce allergic reactions. Hay fever-like complaints like sneezing, runny noses, red eyes, and skin rashes are examples of allergic reactions.
Mould allergies are rather frequent. They might be both immediate and delayed. Moulds can also trigger asthma episodes in those who are sensitive to mould. Furthermore, mould exposure can irritate mould-allergic and non-allergic people’s eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs. Inhaling mould does not often cause symptoms other than allergic and irritating reactions. Mould and its impacts on health are still being studied.
Therefore, the unambiguous response to the question, “Is Mould Dangerous to Humans?” is “Yes.”
How do I prevent mould from forming at home?
Mould colonies can form on a moist surface in 24 to 48 hours. Spores that easily fly through the air reproduce these colonies. Moulds devour organic material, destroying it and spreading it to neighbouring organic material.
- Maintain as much dryness as possible in your home. Repair roof and plumbing leaks as soon as possible. Ensure the earth around your house’s foundation slopes away from it, so your basement does not flood.
- Using fans, push moisture outside.
- Use your kitchen, bathroom, or window fans to exhaust damp air outdoors when you cook or shower. If you don’t have fans, open a window when cooking or showering, cover pots when cooking, and take quick, cool showers. Dry clothes on a clothesline or with a clothes dryer that exhausts air outside.
Make use of a dehumidifier.
Get a dehumidifier (rather than a humidifier, which adds moisture to the air) to remove moisture from the air. Using an air conditioner in the summer will remove some moisture from the air as it cools. If it’s humid outside, don’t open your windows with an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
Finish your basement only if it is completely dry.
Unless your basement is extremely dry, do not finish the walls with insulation and wallboard. Avoid laying carpet on the ground floor of your basement. If your basement floor is concrete, you can paint it and replace it with area rugs. The rugs can then be cleaned and dried outside, where they are less likely to become mouldy.
Note that this will temporarily mask the unpleasant mould smell if the problem is not resolved.
How to Stop Mould
Natural methods for preventing mould growth include keeping a dehumidifier running (or trying these DIY remedies), wiping down and drying moist surfaces frequently, spraying vinegar on such surfaces as shower walls after use, and keeping an eye out for leaks. Think about the following:
1 – Keep the humidity levels in your home at or below 50%. A dehumidifier or air conditioner will help keep it low. Humidity levels change throughout the day, so you’ll need to check them frequently.
2 – Repair any leaks in your roof, walls, or plumbing so that mould has no source of moisture.
3 – Make certain that the air in your home circulates freely. In the kitchen and bathroom, use exhaust fans that vent outside the structure (s). Check that your dryer vents are outside as well.
4 – Clean and dry your home thoroughly shortly after a flood (Hire a professional if the damage is too extensive for you to handle on your own).
5 – Remove any soaked carpets and upholstery that will not dry immediately. Consider using wood, vinyl, or tile in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Getting Rid of Mould Odors
Your home will always have a pleasant aroma if you know the sources of mould, its growth habits, and how to get rid of it. Ignoring mould in your home can result in severe respiratory problems and an unsightly odour that will repel visitors and remain for a long time.
The Value of Reztor Restoration Remediation of Moulds
Even if mould isn’t directly linked to specific health issues, it’s still wise to clean it out of your house to be safe. Vulnerable individuals with pre-existing health disorders can develop mould allergies and infections, which can increase with repeated contact.
Indoor mould can also increase the risk of further health consequences for people with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems. Furthermore, significant mould infestations can cause structural damage and jeopardise the structural integrity of your home.
Quick and comprehensive mould removal from a skilled company like Reztor Restoration can help reduce the likelihood of health problems from mould exposure. The speed with which you respond to microbial development and mould infestation can mean the difference between protecting your family and protecting your property.
