Well it’s been a week since the snow mele and unfortunately many Texans are still dealing with the aftermath. As we clean up and get back to our normal Texas lifestyle, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you had pipes burst due to the freeze, beware of mold. In addition, there may be new odors or a stale mustiness in your home. These are both normal things homeowners experience this time of year. This week we will cover how to prevent musty odors in your home, and where they come from.
The blessing about living in Texas is that we have some really great weather. Especially during the winter. However, when we get hit with a polar blast like we did last week it can really knock us down. It’s not that we are not tough, our infrastructure and homes are just not built for that. This is why we have problems like burst pipes. With that comes new messes in our home that we need to clean up.
The Good, The Bad, and The Musty
After being stuck in your home for a week with nowhere to go you may notice some new aromas arising. A mustiness that wasn’t there before, a stale unpleasant smell. Where is it coming from? Why does it smell this way? How can you get rid of it? Well we are going to answer all of those questions today. Furthermore, we will give you those great Topaz tips on how to prevent them from happening in the future. Musty smells arise from a variety of reasons. They can happen any time of the year, but more times than not you will notice them in the winter. Why is this?
Well there are many reasons why they happen in the winter. One of the main reasons they happen in the winter is because it’s colder outside. During this time of year we tend to keep our windows shut, reducing airflow throughout our house. The reduction in airflow traps all of our body heat in the house which keeps the house warm.
However, this heat also causes humidity which leads to moisture. This moisture gets trapped in your drapery, upholstery, carpets, and furniture. Ultimately causing a musty smell in your home.
The Fungus Among Us
Another cause of that musty smell, could be from mold forming in your home. Mold is a fungus that grows in dark cold areas of your home that have been wet or are moist. You normally notice it in shady landscapes outside your home or around your bathroom. Most recently, due to Texas’ inclement weather, you may develop mold around burst pipes.
Mold can be harmful to you if you don’t clean it properly. The CDC estimates over 10,000 types of mold varieties that can develop by not tending to them properly. So make sure that dry up any wet spots you may see inside your home immediately. It is recommended that you hire a professional to do so as well. This fungus can cause asthma attacks and other allergic reactions. Not to mention it causes that musty smell in your home which can then travel throughout your air ducts. Something we mentioned in our recent blog.
Get Rid of That Smell
There are many ways to get rid of the musty smell in your home after it has developed. We already mentioned calling a professional to remove and dispose of molds caused by burst pipes in your home. This can be done by drying out the area with large fan blowers. You may also need to replace soaked wood panels, flooring and sheetrock if the water has soaked in those areas.
Another way to remove the musty smell from your home is to invest in a dehumidifier. These machines are made to prevent mold from developing. In addition to that, they help in the following ways:
- Improve indoor air quality
- Inhibit dust mites
- Reduce condensation & humidity
- Prevention of odors
Finally, one of the most important ways to get rid of that musty smell in your home, is to clean your upholstery. Families make huge investments in their home decor, picking out the right couch or rugs. You just can’t replace these items on a seasonal basis, just because they develop a smell. So make sure to call a professional, to clean your furniture and upholstery properly. Professionals will not only be able to suck the odors and allergens out from your furniture, but they will make them look brand new.
Breathe (In The Air)
Hopefully these tips will help you from developing musty smells in your home before they begin. In some cases it is inevitable. However, by properly caring for your furniture, carpet and wet areas of your home it can be prevented. When all else fails, open some windows and let your home breathe in some of that fresh Texas air. Spring is near folks, so let’s prepare our home now, so we can enjoy more time outside.
