Your house can suddenly smell musty when you have too much moisture in your home, leaking pipes, condensation, poor ventilation etc.
Musty smells in a home can have several causes.
Some of the common causes of musty smells in a home include wet clothes, wet towels, wet carpet, old and new and mildew.
Leaky pipes, a damaged roof, high humidity, and exposed dirt in the crawlspace may all contribute to moisture buildup.
This moisture combined with the stagnant air and dark corners can lead to the growth of mold and mildew.
If your house smells musty check for any mold, mildew and other dampness.
If the weather is warm enough also consider opening doors and windows to allow fresh air into the home to help get rid of the musty smell as well.
Some other things you can do to help get rid of the musty smell in your home include.
Run a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
Keep air circulating with box and ceiling fans.
Decorate your home with houseplants that naturally clean the air.
Dust regularly and thoroughly.
Locate the Source of the Musty Smell.
Begin your search in areas that are often warm and moist, like a bathroom.
Check for mildew growth in the shower, on the shower curtain, and leaks around sinks, tubs, and toilets.
In the kitchen, look for leaks around the sink and dishwasher.
The musty smell that is harbored within your home's walls can be the cause of several factors residing in the environment and/or conditions that are present in the indoor space.
Although most people's initial thought is that musty smells only come from mold development in the environment, this is simply not the case.
If you smell a musty odor, this could indicate mold. In itself, mold is a fungus that is destructive and hard to get rid of.
But mold could also indicate the presence of mold-eating mites, whose fecal pellets are potent allergens.
If you don't see signs of mold but you can smell it, it may be hidden in your walls.
A musty smell is a good indicator that mold is growing in your home.
The smell of mold feels earthy, like rotting leaves or decaying wood in a dense, damp forest.
Most people describe the smell of mold as musty, stale, and earthy — somewhat similar the odor of wet socks or decaying wood.