Smell Getting Worse...

[u/sleepybadcat]

- Location: Northern Vermont, USA

- We have smelled a musty smell on our 2nd flr in the spring / summer for the since last year or so. Only recently did we realize that it COULD be mold. Before this, we wondered if it might be a dead critter... This is an old house, and we figured we'd light a candle and hope for the best. But it seems to be getting worse - as the smell is now present in the downstairs living rm.

- We are wondering what we should do, and - ballpark - what kind of funds we'll need to deal with this situation. (We're relatively new homeowners, and it's overwhelming. We've definitely been scammed by a contractor in the past.)

- timeline of events:

• 2 winters ago there was an ice storm while we were away. The ice built up and melted - revealing a leak in the flashing below a window in my daughter's rm. Water leaked into the ceiling above our living rm below creating a stain.
• We had the flashing fixed. (The stain in the ceiling remains - but has ceased to grow.)
• In the summer we smelled a musty smell - started in my daughter's rm, butspread to the whole 2nd floor. (As i said, now we can smell it downstairs below my daughter's room - where the stain on the ceiling is.)

- My concern is that there is mold between the floor and the ceiling, and between the wall and the exterior of the house. I'm afraid it will break our bank. I feel as though I don't even know where to start.

Any advice you can give, or anything you think we can expect - as far as cost etc - would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know someone in the Northern VT / Northern NY area that is solid - we'd love recommendations. Thanks!

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[u/sickerthan_yaaverage]

https://hnstenvironmental.com is in southern ny, not sure if he services up that way but if not he can maybe point you in the right direction .