Does A Musty Smell Mean Mold

September 26, 2022
Marcellis Mosby

As the leading mold removal and disinfection service company in Owings Mills, the technicians at First & Last Restoration receive hundreds of questions from business owners and residents every month about musty odors and smells in your home, water damage, and how to improve indoor air quality. This explainer will answer their most asked question: “Does a musty smell mean mold?” For more questions about the factors that affect the hygiene and livability of an indoor environment, contact their technical service line today.

Mold Is Usually the Problem

Mold, mildew, and other fungal spores are present in nearly all residential structures in the United States, and they can spread through the ductwork and vents of a home’s air conditioning system. Research from the World Health Organization Reveals that over 45 million commercial and residential buildings in America, comprising 20% to 50% of all current structures, have some form of fungal growth indoors.

Mold is a prevalent problem in communities where flooding and high humidity are commonplace, such as Reisterstown, Owings Mills, and other places in Baltimore County that are high-risk hurricane zones. Most residents detect mold through a musty house smell coming from an area that does not receive as much sunlight as the rest of the home, like the basement or the attic. When a resident asks a technician, “Does a musty smell mean mold?” These are the first places they look.

What Does Mold Need to Survive?

Unlike most household pests, mold does not need nutritious food or a consistent water supply to thrive. It only requires a few droplets of moisture, a constant flow of oxygen, and organic material to feed on, such as insulation, brickwork, and even clothes. Adverse weather events can trigger the growth of mold colonies as they cause:

Poor gutter drainage
Flash Floods
Leaking pipes
Water seepage from shattered roof shingles

Eliminate Mold with These Technician-Approved Tricks

DIY mold treatments can be dangerous as there is no way to tell whether a colony is toxic or not on sight, especially for people with allergies and asthma. Here are a few tips that will help reduce the appearance of mold on walls and floors.

Check for leaks and water damage around plumbing installations
Find sagging spots on walls and ceilings

Get Professional Help Today

So, does a musty smell mean mold? It helps to get a licensed technician to know for sure. Call the First & Last Restoration hotline at (443) 400-7593, and get a free consultation with an expert in fungus removal and earth mineral technology.

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Courtney Spellacy

15:03 15 Nov 23

I love reviews, but never leave them. I have to leave a review for my experience with Marcellis, his team, and the business. I had to get four quotes for my job - and while all were in the same ballpark - the professionalism, responsiveness, and quality of the process and work with First and Last Restoration was head and shoulders above the rest.

Bri Jones

19:30 01 Nov 23

I had a great experience with First & Last Restoration. Everyone is informative and professional. You can tell they know what they are talking about, the crews are very proud of their certifications and schooling when you talk to them about it.They were tidy, efficient and thorough with their work in my business. We had a bad mold problem in the basement that went undetected for months.I would 100% recommend anyone to this company.

Lisa Sterling

00:15 31 Oct 23

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Quincy , Mario and Charles were the technicians that performed the restoration work in my home after my sump pump backed up after a storm. They were informative, friendly and most importantly professional.They helped me to feel much better about the situation , I knew I was in good hands. I wish I could give First & Last and their employees 10 stars. The owner even checked in on the job, he was very smart and felt like he really cared about the job being done properly.

Mike Lowe

13:57 30 Oct 23

This team was amazing to work with. We Had a major flood in our home which then resulted in mold. They worked with my insurance company to document everything so it was covered.Quincy and Mario were very knowledgeable technicians and walked me through the whole process. I gave them full access to my unattended home and felt completely safe with them being there while we stayed in a hotel. 10/10 will recommend.

Michael Charles

13:21 21 Oct 23

Highly recommended for all home restoration needs. First and Last Restoration Service handled a significant sewer water damage repair at my brother-in-law's mom's house. Their team not only fixed the current issue but also spotted and resolved a previous damage. What sets them apart is their thorough approach—they don't just remove the damage, but also undertake the necessary repair and finishing work, ensuring the home is restored to pristine condition. Their responsiveness and timely communication were remarkable..

Kia Pearson

16:42 18 Jun 23

Very professional company. Went above and beyond to wrap up my items in plastic to make sure nothing got damaged. They even moved all my furniture and items out of the room they were working in. They did an amazing job removing all the sewage from my home. I highly recommend them!

Jenny Sataloff

03:48 01 Jun 23

Professional, friendly, efficient - they communicate well with the homeowners and the insurance company and provide prompt thorough service. A+

Deidra Stockton

22:41 31 May 23

Wow!! What a wonderful professional on time business. I am so pleased with their services I will be using them again in the near future.

Tameka Payton

02:49 13 May 23

Marcellis and his team are absolutely amazing. They were so helpful! They stepped in and spoke with the insurance agent on my behalf. My insurance adjuster from Liberty Mutual had experience working with Marcellis. She even acknowledged how great of a person he is, which says A LOT coming from an insurance adjuster!!!!Stellar performance, absolute professional.

Orion Burcham

17:57 22 Feb 23

Excellent service - Marcellis from Disinfect-It was knowledgeable, professional, and generous with his time.My wife and I just bought a new house, only to find a mold-like substance covering the walls of the attic. Our first home inspector (not a remediation expert) was sure it was mold, and charged us over $100 for a single tape test. The results of that test were vague, and he concluded by advising that we should “not use the attic.” - an unrealistic and unprofessional suggestion.Following this bad experience, we reached out to Disinfect-It Emergency Restoration for a proper mold inspection. And they delivered!Marcellis (the owner) brought his superior knowledge to bare. He arrived on time, and did a thorough, efficient examination. Not only did he run some initial air tests in the attic (leaving us with more information in one day than we got from the previous lab report), but he also told us that the substance may not actually be mold. He referred us to an industrial mold inspector, and even called him on the spot for an initial review of our attic by video.Since then, we’ve had the specialist come by, and we are waiting on the final (new) lab results. Thanks to Disinfect-It’s experience and professionalism, we may avoid paying for costly remediation that isn’t actually needed.We look forward to working with Marcellis and company again, should the need arise.Thank you, Disinfect-It!

Francine Rodney

20:01 07 Dec 22

I had to call Disinfect-it for water Damage, Clean up and Restoration in which a Respectful Responder named Marcellis Mosby answers the call and out ASAP.He was very easy to talk to, very understanding and sympathetic about our situation. He was willing to help us Restored the damages and take care of our problems.I will definitely call Disinfect-it again if God forbid I should have such unfortunate experience again. I'm Recommending Disinfect-it and the team headed by Marcellis Mosby to anyone who has find themselves in such unfortunate situation like I did.Marcellis Mosby to the RESCUE, U BET ON HIM....FRANCINE R in MD

Tamara Howard

02:04 26 Oct 22

Marcellis and his Disinfect-It team restored my basement after my hot water heater burst. From the first contact until the job was done, they were professional, on-time, knowledgeable, fast, and provided excellent customer service! The water damage from the water heater was much more extensive than I realized. They identified all of the affected areas (carpet, structure, and items), only removed the drywall, studs, and trim that were damaged, and ensured that everything was thoroughly dry before starting the rebuild. They completed the job much faster than I expected. The drywall and trim replacements were done so expertly, that I cannot tell where the old and new begin and end. I was so relieved and pleased. They bought the exact paint (color and brand) originally used on the affected walls for a perfect match. Marcellis also worked with my insurance company to ensure that the work was covered. I am so pleased with Disinfect-It and encourage you to hire them if you'd like your water damaged space to look like new!

Keith Savage

16:12 10 Sep 22

I cannot say enough amazing things about this company. I did not expect to be so pleasantly surprised by the service, professionalism, and excellence of a water remediation company. Mr. Mosby and his team from start to finish are well equipped to handle everything you need. I am a very stern customer and not easily impressed and I am highly impressed with this company. If I could give it 10 stars I would.

KARYES THOMAS

23:23 14 Jun 22

Dealing with water damage, company came highly recommended. The were very professional, on time and knowledgeable about the issue. They assist with dealing with insurance company which set my mind at ease. The crew came and move necessary items to effectively remove damaged walls and carpet. I will definitely use again if needed (hope I don’t need…lol). Thanks DISINFECT for making an otherwise difficult moment less impactful. Your expertise was a welcomed experience.