Warning: That Musty Smell Could Mean Big Trouble

As far as senses go, smell is one of our most powerful but often overlooked. According to WebMD, “recent studies found that our noses can pick up an impressive trillion or more odors.” So when you walk down the stairs to your basement and smell something musty, musky or downright yucky, don’t ignore your nose. It might be time to take action to correct a bigger problem that may be lurking.

Follow the scent of concern

Think for a second about when you cook dinner. The odor of some vegetables, fish, or even garlic can linger in your house long after you’ve eaten the meal that are pretty easy to identify. The same is true of strong biological odors that tend to have a specific root-cause tied to a fungus, mold or bacteria. But usually won’t disappear like last nights meal.

Why you shouldn’t ignore some odors

That gym-locker scent wafting up the stairs from your basement shouldn’t be written off as typical. Sometimes it can mean a lot more. A basement is a wet area that sits below grade. Soil can trap moisture and moisture built up on organic material could lead to black mold growth. Black mold can wreak havoc on your home and your health. If you have an underlying moisture intrusion issue causing the stinky odor, it’s time to have the problem fixed.

Can you get rid of the odors?

In short, yes! When you work with an Environmental Advisor they will help you determine the cause of the problem and offer solutions to fix the underlying issues. GreenWorks specializes in tracking down moisture intrusion points and they “sniff out” if the nasty odors are biological or chemical in nature. Professionals will find and correct the problem so you can get rid of your dirty sock basement and get back to enjoying many of those other trillion scents.