subject: Water Damage - Cause Of Musty Odor In Homes [print this page] Thousands of Americans are affected by water damage in their homes and businesses every year. Plumbing problems may have caused a pipe to burst or perhaps the heating or air conditioning systems have a leak that has gone un-noticed for several days. There is always the risk in many areas of sudden storms causing flash flooding or simply flooding from prolonged rainfall during tropical storm or hurricane season. Regardless of the reason, if a water damage issue goes untreated there will very likely be a mold problem and the unmistakable musty odor that comes with it. If there is musty odor in a building, it is important to call a professional cleaning and restoration service to ensure the damage and odor are dealt with in the most efficient and safe way possible.
There are three different types of water damage and which will determine a variety of different issues you must deal with. If left unsolved, all types of water damage will cause mold and mildew to build up, making the musty odor removal a necessary process. Clean water damage is the easiest to deal with. Clean water is that which may occur from a ruptured pipe or tub overflow. While it is perhaps the "best" type of water damage to have if you must experience water damage, it can still cause a variety of problems. Black water damage is extremely dangerous and puts you and your family at a higher risk for health problems. Black water is typically that which is caused by flooded streams and rivers as it can carry with it bacteria and fungi from raw sewage as well as carcasses of dead livestock. Grey water can be equally dangerous to your family's health as it tends to contain chemicals and detergents. Sources of grey water include toilet overflows, washing and dish-washing machines.
The musty odor removal process needs to begin as soon as possible. Items in your home which can be salvaged may not be able to be saved if the restoration process is delayed beyond the first 48 hours. Water damage not only ruins the carpets and their padding, but also wooden floors as well as the drywall and insulation behind walls. Mold can begin growing in as little as 24-48 hours but certainly after 72 hours you will have mold and mildew damage as well. Health issues caused by mold can be severe depending on your level of health prior to the damage. Health problems such as respiratory infections, asthma and severe allergic reactions are all possible with mold.
If the water damage is minor and confined to a small portion of your home, you can use a combination of water and vinegar to rid your home of the musty smell and many people use a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 50%. This will prevent mold from growing and "breathing" which in turn prevents the mold from releasing the mycotoxins which cause the musty odor. If a larger area in your home or business is affected it becomes imperative to call a professional cleaning and restoration service to deal with the water damage and the musty odor removal.
