Sometimes, persistent home odors sneak up on us: one day, you (or a guest) suddenly realize your home smells bad. Stinky house syndrome isn’t just a nuisance; it’s an indication that something may be significantly wrong with your home. It’s important to diagnose the issue and find the source, as ventilation and air quality problems can have a lasting impact on your home’s comfort and health.
A Stinky House is Often a Mold Problem
There can be multiple causes of stinky homes, but most are easy to diagnose, such as a dead rodent or sewage leak. But if you’ve got a more generalized smell, especially one that doesn’t seem confined to a single room, it could be a mold problem.
Some molds release microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs), which often have strong and unpleasant odors. If you smell musty or moldy odors, chances are you’ve got a mold problem. These can be common molds like mildew or more dangerous molds like black mold, which can cause health issues through their spores.
Solutions to a Smelly House
As we explain in our article, Temperature & Moisture: The Conditions for Mold in Homes, the conditions that support mold require both the right temperature and humidity. If you’ve recently had water damage, mold is a very real issue, but it can also result from underlying home performance issues.
Getting a Home Evaluation (Not Just an Energy Audit)
First, you’ll want to find the mold. We recommend getting a home evaluation not only to find the mold, but also to identify the underlying causes. It’s important to note that a home evaluation is different from an energy audit, as it also assesses home health and air quality.
Dealing with Humidity and Ventilation Issues
As mentioned above, many mold problems are caused by issues with removing humidity and providing proper ventilation to the home. To fully address the mold issue, not only should the mold be removed, but home performance should also be improved through ventilation projects.
- Whole Home Ventilation: An attic-based fan that can cycle all the air from the home to help with not just odors, but also air quality and humidity.
- Air Sealing & Insulation: Helps address issues with humid air entering the home and large temperature changes that cause moisture in the air to condensate.
- Better Bathroom & Kitchen Ventilation: Two primary sources of moisture buildup, which can also help with kitchen odors in the home.
- Air Quality Monitoring: Installs air quality monitoring systems, such as Air Advice, so you can always be alerted to decreases in air quality.
St. Louis Air Quality Testing & Home Performance
At Greenmark Home Performance, we believe in not only stopping the conditions that mold can form under, but also improving your health, comfort, and your home’s energy efficiency through home upgrades. From air sealing and insulation to home performance renovations, we help homeowners have better peace of mind. Get started with a home evaluation today by contacting us online or by calling (314) 845-9144.
