

One of the most common symptoms of a rising damp issue is a musty smell. Even if the damp problem is relatively minor, unpleasant smells can arise that permeate your whole house and make your experience of living there unpleasant. There are several possible causes of bad smells in the home, from problems with the drains to water leaks, but one of the most common causes of a musty smell is the presence of rising damp.
Looking out for particular symptoms is a good way to start investigating the source of a bad smell, and the signs of rising damp are usually relatively easy to spot. For example, if the damp smell is accompanied by damp patches on your internal walls, the build-up of excess moisture or the presence of mould spores in the air (or growing in corners), this can indicate that your house smells musty because of a rising damp problem.
Thankfully, there are solutions that can fix not only these unpleasant damp smells, but the underlying cause of damp. This is the best way to address the problem of a bad smell, and is important because musty smells are far from the worst side effects if damp is left to get worse. In serious cases, rising damp that goes unaddressed can result in structural damage to your home or significant health risks to its occupants.
Here, the team at Moisture Stop UK explains the causes of the bad smell that is associated with damp, and outlines the best short and long-term strategies for addressing these smells, whether they are caused by rising damp or another problem.
What causes a musty smell?
The familiar damp smell, which is often described as musty or mouldy, is caused primarily by the growth of mould, mildew and bacteria in a damp environment. When the air is humid, moisture can settle on surfaces and materials, and this creates a perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow.
Mould thrives in damp, dark environments. It feeds on organic materials like wood and textiles, breaking them down and releasing spores into the air, which causes that characteristic musty odour. Mildew is similar, but it grows on flat surfaces like walls and ceilings. Like other moulds, it produces a musty smell as it grows, and finds its natural habitat in damp environments. In addition to mould, bacteria can also thrive in damp environments. The breakdown of organic material by bacteria can produce unpleasant odours, contributing to the overall damp smell.
The problem can get worse if carpets, upholstery, drywall or wood absorb the moisture and the associated smell. Even when bacteria or mould growth are not a factor, dampness can cause organic materials like wood, paper and natural fibres to decompose, and this can contribute to an unpleasant smell.
Rising damp and the associated smell is common in poorly ventilated rooms, such as utility rooms, bathrooms and walk-in closets - these are good places to start if you are looking to identify and remove musty smells from your home. Water leaks from pipes, roofs or windows can also introduce moisture into walls, floors and ceilings - even a small, unnoticed leak can lead to significant mould growth over time. This is another reason why bathrooms, basements and utility rooms are at a particular risk of developing these smells.
Another potential underlying cause is condensation, which can occur on cool surfaces, especially in winter. This moisture can accumulate on walls, windows and other surfaces, and promote mould growth if it is not addressed.
Short-term solutions to damp smells
If you are dealing with a damp smell and want a quick fix, there are several steps you can take to neutralise the odour and improve the air quality in your home. These solutions will not address the underlying cause of the dampness, which is the most important thing, but they can help alleviate the smell in the short term while you implement a more permanent solution.
Steps to consider include:
Improve ventilation: Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate through your home. This can help disperse the musty odour and reduce moisture levels. Place fans in the affected area to improve airflow and help dry out any damp surfaces.
Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier can quickly reduce humidity levels in a room and help to dry out the air and surfaces. This can prevent further mould growth and reduce the damp smell. This may be effective if the cause of the problem is not rising damp, but if the underlying cause is not addressed the damp patches will usually return. An air purifier can also get rid of musty smells temporarily. If you already have one installed, check the air filters to make sure it is working properly.
Absorb the odour: Baking soda is excellent at absorbing odours. Sprinkle some baking soda on carpets, upholstery, or other affected surfaces, leave it for several hours (or ideally overnight) and then vacuum it up. Bowls of white vinegar in the room can absorb and neutralise odours in the air, as can fresh coffee grounds. Finally, activated charcoal is an effective odour absorber, although it may be harder to access.
Clean surfaces: A solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle can be used to wipe down damp surfaces and remove the visible signs (such as black mould). Vinegar is effective at killing mould and mildew and can help eliminate the smell. A bleach solution may also be effective, but you should be careful with this and test it in an out-of-sight area before using it on your walls.
Use air fresheners: Using an air freshener can mask the damp smell temporarily. Choose a product that neutralises odours rather than just covering them up. Alternatively, add a few drops of essential oils to a spray bottle with water and lightly mist the room. Essential oils can help mask odours and have antimicrobial properties. If you do not have anything to hand, you can place fresh citrus peels around the room, or fresh herbs like rosemary or mint.
Clean furnishings: Musty smells can linger in soft furnishings. Vacuuming carpets, rugs and upholstery can help remove dust, dirt and odours. If this is not effective, a deep clean may do the trick. If the smell is in curtains, cushions or other fabric items, wash them using a fabric refresher, or add a cup of vinegar to the washing machine to help neutralise the odour.
The best solution to get rid of musty smells will depend on the underlying cause, but any of these approaches may help. However, removing damp smells in this way demands a thorough inspection of your house and all of its furnishings, and then a combination of steps to remove moisture, kill mould and remove the smell. The more important step is to get rid of the causes of rising damp, especially if you find mould or evidence of structural damage that may be related to the damp problem.
Long-term solutions to musty smells
Opening windows to let a bad smell out may be effective in the short term, but you would not want to leave your windows open throughout the winter. Damp smells are frequently caused by rising damp, a problem that needs to be addressed urgently. If left unchecked, this type of damp can cause health issues for the people who live in your home, or result in structural damage that can be very expensive to fix.
There are several possible solutions to rising damp, from damp proof courses to geomagnetic devices. However, the best approach is Moisture Stop's HS-221 system. This is a small box that can be installed on an external wall, or in any of the most obvious places that damp can be seen. It uses low-frequency electromagnetic waves that counteract the natural process of rising damp, and pushes water back towards its source.
HS-221 is the fastest rising damp solution available in the UK, and can dry a brick wall in as little as three months. This means that you do not need to invest as heavily in short-term solutions, and once you clean up any black mould or damp patches, they will stay gone. Waterproofing injections and damp proof courses take twice as long to fully get rid of moisture in internal walls.
To learn more about Moisture Stop's products, or find out whether it is the right solution for you, contact our team today.