Its damp and musty…

Those are usually not words anyone likes to hear. When they are used to describe a room, or section of your house, they can possibly be a warning sign of a potential problem. Rather than spray an air freshener, it’s probably best to locate the reason for the odor first.

There are many factors that can lead to that musty smell. Water is the cause, yes, but where is it coming from? It could be leaking from a pipe in the house, or it could be water getting in from the outside. The roof could be compromised and leaking, but it could also be due to the house settling if it is older.

Leaky pipes are the first place one should check. Aside from the obvious signs of a leak in a pipe where the water pools up, you should check all pipes to make sure they are not damp even if they don’t look wet. By touching them you may feel the moisture, even when it is not readily visible from the naked eye. This may indicate a leak in the piping that is above and leaking its way down to a lower level.

Roof leaks can show up in odd places as well. Although the majority will typically cause damage in the ceiling and be visible, these leaks may travel down from the roof unseen within the walls. It is important to trace any sign of water, or moisture, back to its originating location. If not easy to do yourself, call in a home inspection pro who can do so. Don’t wait!

And there is yet another possibility. I have seen this with older homes that have settled over time and the ground surrounding them has sunken in. Here basements and lower levels may be impacted by rain water seeping in the sides of the home and finding its way to your living area. If your home is older, check around the bordering edges of the home, where the earth meets the house and check for the firmness of the soil. If the ground is soft near the home, and gives way under your feet, you should have that checked as well.

Don’t wait until you say those words “damp and musty”. Be proactive and check your home and property regularly. It is, of course, better to get any problems early…before they become costly!

And. If you are going to be away from home for a while, let Eagle Eye Home Watch keep an eye and a “nose” on your property…so you don’t come home to damp and musty!