Bad odors in the home are not only unpleasant, but they can also point to problems going on in your home. Here are 7 odors in the home that you should address promptly.
Musty Odors in the Home
A musty odor, like the smell of wet socks or rotting wood, means mold or mildew is growing somewhere in the home. It is often the first sign of a mold infestation because mold spores emit an odor even when they are too small to be seen. Pay attention to this odor and hire a professional to pinpoint the source of the mold.
Fishy Smell
People are surprised to learn that a fishy smell in the home is usually a sign of an electrical problem. It can also smell like burning rubber or urine. The odor may be coming from an appliance, electrical outlet, or switch.
Either way, call an electrician to diagnose the issue. If it is coming from an outlet or another component of the electrical wiring, it could be a serious fire risk, so turn off the circuit breaker right away.
Odors in the Home That Smell Like Ammonia
If you notice a scent that smells like ammonia, chances are that a small animal has died somewhere in your home. Move furniture around to locate and remove the dead rodent. Use gloves when handling dead animals and disinfect the area thoroughly after removing it.
Smoky Smell From the Fireplace When Not in Use
If you smell smoke coming from the fireplace when it’s not lit, first check that the damper is closed. If it is left open, soot from the chimney could blow back into the house. Rain and pests can also get inside the chimney. If the damper is closed and the smell persists, then this means that the firebox should be cleaned.
Chemical Smells From New Furniture
Modern furniture is often made from particleboard held together by glue that contains volatile organic compounds. These chemicals are unhealthy to breathe, so it’s a good idea to let new furniture air out on the porch before bringing it inside. If assembling furniture indoors, open some windows to provide adequate ventilation.
Sewer Gas
The smell of sewer gas is unmistakable. Hopefully, the issue is just a dry p-trap. The water in the p-trap blocks odors from entering the house. The solution is as simple as running the water for a moment or flushing the toilet. More serious problems that cause sewer gas to enter the home are a broken vent stack or sewer line. Call a plumber to deal with these major problems.
Rotten Egg Odors in the Home
A rotten egg odor indicates a natural gas leak. Natural gas actually has no smell, so a sulfur-like rotten egg odor is purposely added by gas companies so that you can detect a gas leak immediately. If you notice a rotten egg odor in the home, get everyone safely out of the house immediately and call your gas provider.
Bronze Star Home Inspections provides home inspection services to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Contact us to book an inspection.