House smells like mold after no power

[4horses]

My house was without power for 5 days after the hurricane. We finally have power back as of today but the house stinks like mold. The issue is, I can’t locate the source of the smell. Nothing was wet that I know of. Other than the humidity that is.

Could it possibly be that there’s mold in the AC unit itself? It’s absolutely driving me nuts that I can’t locate anything to clean. I may mop the house tomorrow but again there’s nothing obviously moldy. I’m thinking of calling the AC company to come do an inspection of the air conditioner.

The frig has been cleaned out so it’s not that. Maybe I need to run the AC more and pull the humidity out of the house? As far as I am aware the roof was not damaged, although I haven’t climbed up there to look.

[luvmyhackney]

Get a dehumidifier asap and order or pick up a mold test kit. Could be walls, hvac, under the house, attic, etc. look under the fridge, washing machine, hot water heater as well.

[Demerara_Stables]

The humidity can make the walls wet, and it might be in the AC but I don’t know much about HVAC systems so I’m not the person to ask. Definitely pick up a de humidifier.

[LCDR]

Another hurricane power loser here. Are your roads passable, gasoline available, and stores open so that you can “pick up a dehumidifier.”
Those are my problems here.

[endlessclimb]

Until you can get a dehumidifier, I’d set the AC to as low as you can stand it - the AC will remove a lot of the moisture. Keep looking for the source.

[MissusS]

Is there any chance the source is something unrelated to the hurricane/humidity? I’m thinking something like a rotten potato in the bottom of the bag or something like that? That might be one more thing to investigate while you are waiting for the dehumidifier and HVAC professional to come assess.

[Djones]

@LCDR

Another hurricane power loser here. Are your roads passable, gasoline available, and stores open so that you can “pick up a dehumidifier.”
Those are my problems here.

I know it’s frustrating and difficult. Hard to process when normal is just a dream right now.

[Annie10]

Definitely run the air conditioner, full blast, but change all the filters first. Your filters probably got really wet and gross and that’s not helping. Change the filter’s blast the AC and then follow some of the suggestions that others have mentioned and you should clear it out in a couple of days hopefully as long as it’s not in your walls or your sheet rock, which it shouldn’t if you didn’t have a flood

[FjordBCRF]

@MissusS

I’m thinking something like a rotten potato in the bottom of the bag or something like that?

Oh man. I had a mystery stink for a bit and sure enough…potatoes. I never knew something could stink like that.

Definitely get a dehumidifier OP, fingers crossed that does the trick!

[OnAMission]

Do you have vinegar and a swiffer sweeper thing? Spritz diluted vinegar on the walls and ceilings as much as you can and wipe it around with that swiffer. It’s how I clean walls/ceilings and the vinegar will cut any mold/mildew that might be trying to start up. Under sinks, cabinets, behind washer/dryer, lint screen of dryer (that stuff can really stink up if it gets damp), as mentioned above all filters… any dirty laundry that has been waiting around this week? Might be worth a peek in the attic, under the eaves. If you do manage to get a dehumidifier that might be a good place to run one for a while if that’s possible. If you have to make do with things around the house for now you can put salt/baking soda out in spaces to help soak up some moisture.

[GraceLikeRain]

Mildew has a pretty strong smell. Have you checked leather goods like the underside of a leather couch or chairs for any sneaky mildew?

[findeight]

Agree with blasting the AC…if you don’t have any filters to replace whats in there now, run with what you got, you need air circulation and the AC itself is a big dehumidifier. Replace the filters when you can get them. Flip the fan from auto to on ( or circ) and leave it on 24/7, if you have ceiling fans, run them too,

If you didn’t get any actual flooding inside the house, that should get it all dried out. Carpets can take awhile, box fans on the floors will speed things if you have them. Oh, run your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans too,

[MunchingonHay]

when my dog got sprayed by a skunk, she made the house smell too, even after 5 baths.

I placed bowls of vinegar in each room and changed them out every couple of days until I could go a week between replacments.

I hope you are able to clear the air quickly.

[clanter]

@4horses

The frig has been cleaned out so it’s not that.

check under it there should be a drip pan which is used to capture the defrost cycle water that is then evaporated off using airflow from the electric motor when it is running… this drip pan could contain mold

other than that my fear would be the paper on backside of the drywall due to becoming wet with lack of ventilation has become moldy.

[gradytb]

In TX where I am—and it’s NOT coastal—I get the mold smell too sometimes when the AC has been off. I agree—blast AC and if you have a dehumidifier blast that too. Change filters everywhere if you have them.

[4horses]

It was definitely a bit better today. We do have mold started on the bathroom ceilings so that will be next for cleaning. The AC filter was supposed to be changed October 28th but it looked moldy so I replaced it.

I have dehumidifiers in 3 rooms and the AC has been running. I’m hoping that does the trick. We are all exhausted. No one warns you how exhausting it is going through a natural disaster and there’s still a lot of clean up left.

[Willesdon]

@4horses It is easy to underestimate just how exhausting emotional and mental stress can be, particularly if you are physically working really hard. Take some time to sit down somewhere pleasant, to have a drink and stare at an undamaged view or watch the clouds and appreciate the progress you have already made. An occasional pat on the back can be really helpful.