What’s that smell?

This time of year, it can be pretty common to notice a “stale air” odor floating around your home.

(Personally, I know I’m not letting much fresh air in when it’s a balmy 30 degrees outside.)

But how can you be sure it’s just winter mustiness and not a sign of mold?

While it’s important to know the warning signs for mold any time of year, it’s especially helpful during the wintertime, when poor ventilation and high humidity - two of mold’s best friends - are common. 

To help, here are three easy tips we’ve been sharing with homeowners recently to help mitigate that wintertime musty smell and prevent against mold before it becomes an expensive problem.

✅ Check your bathroom vent fan.

Is it actually ventilating the way it should?

Check for visible dust or buildup, and clean the fan every few months to be sure it’s working properly.

👉 Pro tip: Test this by holding a square of bath tissue near the fan cover. If the bath tissue gets pulled toward the fan cover, the fan is working properly.

✅ Check your HVAC filters.

Are they dirty and ready to be changed?

👉 Pro tip: Next time you check your HVAC filters, make a note of the type of filter you use: the lifespan of HVAC filters depends on which materials they’re made of, so knowing which type you have can help you understand how frequently to check or change it.

⚠️ If you’re going to use a DIY mold test kit, proceed with caution.

DIY mold test kits range in quality and aren’t always 100% reliable.

👉 Pro tip: If you plan to use a DIY kit, don’t rely on those test results alone to tell you what you need to know about your home: be sure to also consider other indicators like water stains, peeling paint, and high humidity levels indoors.

To help you identify and navigate potential mold this season, I’ve put together a quick and handy homeowners’ guide to recognizing mold, the ins and outs of DIY mold test kits, and when to call a professional for mold remediation support. 

You can check it out here.

Hope you find it useful -

Stephen

–

Stephen Simmons

Owner | Umpire Mitigation

Call or text us 24/7 at 703-665-1129

PS Want a second opinion on whatever it is you’re smelling? Call me at (703) 665-1129 24/7 - I’m always happy to help.

Never miss an update: subscribe to get newsletters like this delivered straight to your inbox!