Why does my house smell when it rains?

Usually, the house smells musty after rain because moisture helps to grow mold and mildew. If you get a musty smell in your home after a storm, then it means the rain is most probably running where it shouldn’t. You should check your roof and attic first, but rain can seep into crawlspaces and basements too.

Why does my hall smell?

Musty smells in houses may be attributed to several causes, including: Mold 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.

What is that horrible smell in my house?

A musty or dusty smell is often a sign of mold or mildew, especially in humid or moisture-prone environments like the basement, laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom. Mold and mildew can create severe respiratory problems and can exacerbate allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals.

Why does my room smell like death?

The odor of a dead mouse is a mix of sulfur dioxides, methane and other noxious gases that are produced as tissue begins to decompose. Unfortunately, this smell can be produced by any member of the rodent family (mice, rats, etc.) that may have found its way into your walls, attic or crawlspaces and died.

How do I get rid of earthy smell in house?

To get the last of the musty smell out of your house, use a natural odor absorber like activated charcoal or baking soda. These products will absorb the smell, so you’ll want to throw them away and replace them every two weeks or so.

What makes a house smell old?

“Three things that musty old houses have in common: little ventilation, high humidity, and darkness,” says Bill Carroll Jr., an adjunct professor of chemistry at Indiana University. That makes these places the perfect petri dish for mold to flourish, which happens to be the main purveyor of that “old house smell.”

Why does my house smell so musty in the summer?

Pet odors, VOCs and other chemicals from carpets, furniture or other items may also contribute to a stuffy, musty house. In the summer, humidity levels are often higher. (Cold winter air can’t hold as much moisture, plus we add heat, which dries air even more.) These higher humidity levels feed the growth of mold and mildew.

Is there an odor in the house during humid weather?

I live in a house that we built 10 years ago and every summer starting in about July, the hot humid weather brings out a terrible odor in our house. This odor, and trying to find the cause, has driven me almost to the breaking point.

What to do about musty smell in house after rain?

Open windows or kick on filters or fans to get air moving and disperse the stale smell. Moisture feeds mold and mildew growth. If your house smells musty after a rain, and it’s a significant difference, rain is probably going where it shouldn’t. The first spots to check are the roof and attic, but rain can seep into basements and crawlspaces, too.

What causes a musty smell in the basement?

Common Sources of Musty Smells in Homes and Basements. 1 Water Leaks – Outside Seeping In. Check for roof leaks, especially around any roof penetrations like chimneys. Inspect basement walls for seepage. 2 Water Leaks and Drain Hoses. 3 Laundry Drains and Front Load Washers. 4 Windows. 5 Refrigerators and Freezers.

Why do I have a musty smell in my hallway?

As you can appreciate though, as this dries out you can occasionally get smells seeping up through boards especially orally if there is not cross flow of air to the subfloor.

Why does my house have an earthy smell?

The house was build in approx 1901 so is very old. It has got a lot stronger over the last few days, so much so that I left a bag on the floor, took it to work and can still smell the same smell so it has obviously penetrated the bag also : (

Where to look for musty smell in house?

The first spots to check are the roof and attic, but rain can seep into basements and crawlspaces, too. Check for roof leaks, especially around any roof penetrations like chimneys. Inspect basement walls for seepage.