What does mold smell like?
When a musty smell is present, mold growth may be present. A musty smell by itself however, does not automatically indicate the presence of mold growth or a hazardous condition. The presence of moisture on organic surfaces in a home, especially carpeting, with give off a wide range of musty odors from a variety of organic sources including pets, dander, bacteria and other forms of biological decay. There are certain molds that give off identifiable odors to a trained expert, but most musty odors in a home are from a combination of sources.