Seasons with high rainfall can cause mold to proliferate. If you suffer from allergies, you probably experience this double whammy every spring and fall. We have had some torrential precipitation lately in the Nashville, Tennessee area. For those of us with basements, this is an important time to check our homes for visual signs of mold and/or the musty mold smell. Not only is mold gross, it can actually be a health hazard. In fact, many families don’t realize that mold can be a major driver of chronic illness. It is for this reason, that I had my home tested for mold. I am happy to partner with Claro Whole Home Purification based in Franklin, Tennessee and they offer free mold inspection for your home. In this blog post, I will go into more details as well as share how to get rid of mold smell in your basement.
The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed mold remediation specialist, contractor, or healthcare provider for your specific situation. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the content, costs and procedures may vary based on location, severity, and individual circumstances.
What Does Mold Smell Like
First, what does mold smell like? Mold typically has a musty, earthy, or damp smell. It’s often described as:
- Mildew smell like wet socks or rotting wood
- Musty odors a bit like decaying leaves or old paper
- Bad odor is occasionally pungent or slightly sweet
The smell is caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) released as mold grows. If you notice this kind of odor—especially in areas prone to moisture like basements, bathrooms, or around your vents—it’s a strong sign mold might be present.
What does black mold smell like? The dreaded black mold (commonly Stachybotrys chartarum) has a very similar musty odor—sometimes even more intense. The smell alone can’t confirm it’s black mold, but it’s a red flag—especially if the space is humid or water-damaged. Unlike some molds, black mold can release mycotoxins that may cause health issues in sensitive individuals, so it’s worth investigating further if you suspect it.
Why The Mold Smell (Or Mold In Your Home) Is A Problem
The musty mold smell is a problem because it stinks. Eww. The unpleasant smell just feels like the air is thick and unhealthy. And it turns out, mold exposure in your home is bad– both for the house’s structural integrity and for your health.
A Problem For Your Home
Mold feeds on organic materials like wood, drywall, and insulation. Over time, it can weaken walls, floors, ceilings, and even framing. If unchecked, mold can lead to costly repairs or even render areas of the home unsafe.
A Problem For Your Health
As the Tennessee Department of Health says, “Mold exposure can cause a variety of health symptoms. If a person with mold allergies comes into contact with mold they may experience a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, water eyes, skin rash, and itching. Many people will have no reaction to mold. Some people, such as asthmatics or people with compromised immune systems, can have more severe adverse reactions. Mold can trigger asthma attacks and also cause chest tightness, wheezing, or shortness of breath. If a person’s immune system is suppressed, they could develop an infection on their skin, eyes, lungs, or other organs from mold.”
Once I was aware of the health danger mold presents, I did a little research and found mold may play a role in all sorts of health risks from acne to miscarriage to serving as an autoimmune disease trigger. And that is not to mention mold toxicity symptoms in kids. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), mold exposure is more detrimental to children than adults. Infants, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable. You may even notice symptoms of mold exposure in dogs such as skin irritations leading to excess itching, scratching, licking.
How To Get Rid Of Mold Smell
If you smell mold or see signs of it (like discoloration, peeling paint, or dampness), it’s best to address it quickly. To get rid of the mold smell, you need to do two key things: remove the mold itself and eliminate lingering odors.
Find The Source
The first step in getting rid of the mold smell is determining the source of the problem. The mold smell won’t go away until the actual mold is gone. Mold is caused by too much moisture so this can be a clue to helping you find the source of your problem.
If you think you have a mold problem, you may want to call professional help for a free mold inspection. They can help you:
- Inspect common areas: Check bathrooms, kitchens, basements, behind furniture, under sinks, around windows, and HVAC vents.
- Check for hidden dangers: Mold often grows behind walls, under carpets, or in HVAC systems—places you might not see right away.
Claro, the Nashville mold removal company that I used for my free mold inspection performs a visual inspection of your property and looks for potential red flags. They can also perform a disturbed air mold test (Flow Indicator Air-O-Cell) for an additional fee, if needed. My son has an autoimmune disease so it gave me great peace of mind to have them do an air mold test even though we had no visual signs of mold. The air mold test is able to identify types of mold present in the air as well as quantity. From my results, I could see there was just a small level of a mold that is common with house plants. I moved my plants out to my deck.
Fix moisture issues
You don’t want the mold to just keep returning. That is why you need to repair leaks, dry out damp areas, and ensure proper drainage and ventilation.
Clean Up And Ventilate
If you find mold and water damage, you can address clean up. The CDC has guidelines to help and they state, “Cleaning up mold, whether from a small leak or a major flood, can present health and injury risks. Learn how to clean up safely in order to protect your health while making your home environment a healthier place to live.” Please visit the link to their site that I provided above so you can read the full guidelines on how to clean mold safely. It also includes information on who should not clean mold.
Also, keep in mind that the EPA says that, if the moldy area is greater than 10 square feet (roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), or concealed in behind dry wall or within the heating and cooling system, you should consider seeking professional mold remediation services instead of doing it yourself.
Black Mold Removal / What Is Mold Remediation?
Mold is gross and it can cause problems for your health and your home. That is why you may need black mold removal or mold remediation.
Mold remediation is the process of removing, cleaning, and preventing mold growth in a building. It goes beyond just getting rid of the mold smell and cleaning visible mold—it addresses the underlying moisture issues, removes contaminated materials if necessary, and ensures the area is safe to occupy.
Why Mold Remediation Is Important:
- Prevents health problems like allergies, asthma, fatigue, headaches, and more serious complications.
- Protects your home’s structure and property value.
- Helps ensure that the mold doesn’t return, which it likely will if moisture isn’t dealt with properly.
Types Of Remediation
- Traditional: This usually involves material removal, thorough cleaning, and material replacement. Used when mold has deeply penetrated porous materials like drywall, carpet, or ceiling tiles.
- Newer Solutions: “Pure Maintenance-powered companies utilize patented fogging technology to evenly distribute two specialized compounds throughout your home. This method ensures that both porous and non-porous surfaces are thoroughly treated. This dry fog is designed to evaporate, leaving all surfaces dry to the touch and allowing your family to safely sleep in the house that night.” Claro even cleans the HVAC ductwork. The natural dry fog fills the entire home and kills mold in the air and on every surface. It’s non-toxic, highly effective, and families can sleep in their home the same night.
Mold Remediation Nashville
You can do a web search “mold remediation near me” or try my partner Claro for Nashville mold remediation with stellar customer reviews. Whether you are looking for basement or attic mold remediation, they can help with how to get rid of mold spores in the air naturally. And their treatment works wonders for getting home odor removal accomplished. Unlike traditional cleaning methods that only treat visible surfaces, Claro’s dry fog disperses as a fine mist, disinfecting deep into fabrics, vents, and other hard-to-access areas. The result? A thoroughly sanitized home without residue, harsh chemicals, or lengthy downtime.
Claro’s half-day mold treatment is a purification process which starts with InstaPure – an all natural treatment for every surface and room including within the walls and throughout the HVAC system. So you can know all the toys and stuffed animals are clean and safe. Even hard to clean surfaces like the clothing in the closets and the books in the bookshelves. The dry fog destroys all of the mold in your home and within the walls without hurting any of your belongings. It also removes odors, bacteria and viruses from your home. Goodbye bad smells! After this step any visible mold can be cleaned without concern of it sporing because it is denatured.
Black Mold Removal Cost
How much does mold remediation cost? The mold remediation cost can vary widely depending on several factors. The size and severity of the mold infestation, the type of mold (common vs. toxic like black mold), and the location of the growth—such as whether it’s on easy-to-access surfaces or hidden behind walls, in crawl spaces, or HVAC systems all effect the mold removal cost. Remediation costs also rise if a tenant must leave their home while the work is completed.
A typical traditional remediation company is often quite pricey. For example, a 200 sq ft basement with black mold behind drywall and some in the HVAC system might cost around $7,000–$10,000, including full containment, removal, and sanitization. The cost of a Claro treatment could come in significantly cheaper. Claro could treat that same basement and the full 1200 sq ft house above for around $3750. Plus, Claro is 100% guaranteed for a full year. These are just examples to give you a rough estimate of what you might expect when it comes to black mold removal prices. Prices will vary.
Conclusion
If you suspect mold in your basement—whether from a musty smell, visible spots, or unexplained health symptoms—it’s important to take it seriously. Mold often hides behind walls or under flooring. Even small signs can indicate a larger issue. Black mold may produce mycotoxins, which are more harmful and can cause fatigue, headaches, depression, anxiety, or more severe symptoms in sensitive people. The longer it goes undetected, the more structural damage it can cause.
How to get rid of mold smell in your basement requires more than just masking the odor—it means eliminating the source by removing the mold, fixing moisture problems, and improving ventilation. Once the mold is gone and the space is dry, using natural deodorizers and HEPA filters can clear out any lingering musty scent. With consistent moisture control and regular cleaning, you can keep your basement smelling fresh and mold-free long term.
A professional inspection can confirm the presence and extent of mold, and if needed, remediation will safely remove it and address the root cause to prevent future growth. Acting quickly can protect your health, your home’s structure, and save you from more costly damage down the line. Do you have any questions about how to get rid of mold in basement or the source of a musty smell? Let me know and I will do my best to answer or get you an answer from the Nashville mold remediation experts at Claro.
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Surya says
Great article—this was really helpful! We recently dealt with a mold issue in our Nashville basement, and I wish I had seen this sooner. The tips on identifying hidden mold and knowing when to call for remediation are spot on. Thanks for sharing!
S. Technify says
This post is incredibly helpful and informative—especially for those of us living in humid climates where mold can become a recurring issue. I appreciate how you broke down the smell identifiers, health risks, and the differences between DIY and professional remediation. The information about Claro’s dry fog treatment was new to me and sounds like a great non-invasive option. Thanks for sharing your experience and highlighting the importance of addressing mold early!
Nanajee Travels says
So true—mold is one of those things you really can’t ignore. That musty smell or those odd symptoms can be the tip of the iceberg, and it’s scary how easily it can hide and spread. It’s definitely worth getting things checked out early before it becomes a health hazard or leads to major damage. Prevention and quick action are key!
Bohdi says
Thanks for the informative post! We’ve been noticing that classic musty smell and I think we have a mold problem in our basement. Your breakdown of remediation steps and what to expect with costs is incredibly helpful. Thanks for your Nashville mold inspection recommendation as well.
Vedant Mishra says
Such an important topic—thank you for shedding light on this! Mold smell in basements is something many homeowners overlook until it becomes a bigger issue. We’ve had similar humidity challenges recently, and your tips are super helpful. I’ve been focusing on keeping our space fresh and safe over at Heli Spring Works too, so this really resonated. Thanks!
Diligence Certifications says
Banishing that musty mold smell from your basement starts with proper ventilation, dehumidification, and a deep clean using natural solutions like vinegar or baking soda. A fresh-smelling, healthy space is so important so thanks for sharing all these tips!
interior designer says
This was such a timely read! With all the recent rain we’ve had, I noticed that familiar musty smell creeping into my basement too. I had no idea the odor could actually be a sign of something more serious like hidden mold. Your breakdown of what mold smells like and why it’s a health concern was super helpful—especially for allergy sufferers like me. I really appreciate the practical advice and the reminder to act quickly before it causes structural damage or worsens health issues. Definitely checking into a professional inspection now!
Wollege says
Super helpful tips! I’ve struggled with that musty smell in my basement for a while. Thanks for sharing these easy-to-follow steps!