These nauseating odors, often described as musty, stale, earthy or fungal, permeate our interiors and assault our nostrils. It's not just a matter of olfactory discomfort; a persistent musty smell is often a symptom of a deeper moisture problem, typically the presence of mold or fungus. These unpleasant odors are most often found in basements, underground rooms or poorly ventilated rooms. You may find that clothes, linen or a closet smell particularly bad. This persistent smell, even when there are no visible signs of dampness, should alert you. It indicates that micro-organisms are developing, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are responsible for these unpleasant fumes, which are potentially dangerous for your health and your home.
Humidity encourages the proliferation of molds, bacteria and micro-organisms responsible for the decomposition of organic materials (wood, paper, textiles). These organisms release volatile compounds that cause unpleasant odors. Confined air and a lack of ventilation exacerbate the phenomenon.
In addition to discomfort, unpleasant odors associated with damp often signal the presence of mold and bacteria, which can cause allergies, respiratory problems and irritation. So it's important to treat the cause of dampness to safeguard the health of occupants.
To eliminate unpleasant odors over the long term, you need to treat the source of the moisture: improve ventilation, repair infiltration, treat walls or install an air handling unit. Murprotec offers a free diagnosis and tailor-made solutions to restore healthy air and odor-free interiors.