If you live in an area where you experience frequent storms, you have probably encountered problems caused by floods and water damage. In the event of a storm, make sure you are prepared for potential damages to your home, especially knowing the signs of water damage. Some of it is obvious as you can spot them easily but others are not. In order to prevent large-scale damage, it is essential that you learn these signs so you can detect them earlier.
Early detection of water damage can minimize the negative effects of excess water. Some of the most common signs of water damage include discoloration not just on ceilings but anywhere inside your home, warped flooring, peeling or bubbling walls, and standing water. However, one of the most difficult-to-spot signs is a strange and new odor, more like a musty smell. If you don’t see any obvious signs but you are greeted with a strange musk, chances are, there is moisture somewhere inside your home.
Musty or moldy smell
Every home has its unique odors and smells and the way the home smells is the reflection of the people living inside it. Do not worry if your home has that certain smell that you don’t smell in other homes. However, if you smell something musty or that smell you get when you leave your laundry in the washing machine too long even though the cycle is over, it means that there is moisture sitting inside your home. If you don’t remove that excess water, it can be the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria, plus, that musty smell will never go away.
Musty smells are caused by water damage that got the chance to sip into your walls, floors, and other areas inside your home. Oftentimes, a musty smell is detectable by a human nose because a musty odor is not usually as strong compared to moldy odors. However, this musty smell, no matter how undetectable they are, can cause some serious problems with your home which can be detected even at first glance.
If you are not familiar with a musty smell or not sure if what you smell is a musty odor, consider checking on your family member. Does anyone get sick or experience colds that keep on coming back even after some medication? If a family member complains of getting a cold that doesn’t seem to go away and you smell a strange odor in your home, it is more likely that there is water damage in your home. Even if you didn’t experience a storm in the past few months, there are still possible sources for water damage which can include:
- Pipe leaks
- Sprinklers
- Toilet leaks
- Clogged gutters
- Blocked drains
- Leaking water heater
A musty smell inside your home is definitely a sign that there is something wrong. Make sure to investigate the possible sources of moisture buildup and clean that excess water immediately before it can cause serious damage to your home.
Contact Us
If you need help finding a musty smell in your home or need help cleaning up water damage in your home, call the experts at Water Damage America. Our technicians will make sure to fix your problem as soon as possible so you can rest easy.
