If your house smells… old, there’s just no other way to describe the musty odor that lingers in the air no matter how many times you deep clean your home. The DiMora Team are real estate experts in the Novi and Northville neighborhoods and we know that old house smell is real — and it’s a huge turn-off for homeowners and guests alike. Thankfully, there are several steps you can take to eliminate the odor. Enemy number one when fighting old house smell is microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). When mold, bacteria, biofilm, and other biological growths decay, they emit mVOCs — the gases we identify as old house smell. We associate the smell of mVOCs with older homes since older buildings are often more likely to have decaying biological growths. Older homes tend to be darker with less ventilation than modern buildings. Mold and other bacterial growths thrive in dark, damp areas and will begin to emit the old house smell once they begin to decay.
According to a 2018 report from American Community Survey, 26% of American homes were. If you live in a home built between 1940 and 1969 and even if your home is newer, you may have decaying bacterial growth in damp areas like the crawl space, attic, and basement. Furthermore, some molds produce toxins, such as mycotoxins which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, acute liver disease, and even death, depending on the level and length of exposure. Check out below to see what sold in Whispering Meadows in September 2021:
40768 Mill Road Court W, Novi: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1,154 sq. feet, 2 car garage, Sold Price: $320,000
Whispering Meadows Home Sold
September 2021
21906 Arbor Lane, Novi: 4 bedrooms, 2.1 bathrooms, 2,432 sq. feet, 2 car garage, Sold Price: $395,000
Whispering Meadows Home Sold
September 2021
Mold isn’t the only old house smell source bad for your health. Third-hand smoke can create health issues too. Residual tobacco smoke contamination lingers in rooms long after the cigarette is snuffed out. Nicotine, a toxic particle, can cling to walls and ceilings, while gases can be absorbed by soft fabrics such as upholstery and carpet. For more information on Whispering Meadows, or similar Northville or Novi neighborhoods such as Simmons Orchard, Village Oaks and Meadowbrook Glens, contact The DiMora Team today at 248-505-7728 or jim@dimora.com.