Having Difficulty Tracking Odors Inside Your Home?

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Some homeowners find themselves in a situation where an unusual and unpleasant odor is detected on the premises but they are unable to identify the exact source of the smell. Below are some tips that can help you identify the unwanted scent so you can contact the appropriate residential odor removal services.

Sewage

This has a distinct and unmistakable smell. It could be a sign that your P-trap is dried out. A P-trap consists of the miniature curved portion of piping that aids in creating a seal for the sewage gas which is present behind it. However, the P-trap must be water-filled to produce the needed blockage.

Homeowners that don’t regularly use their sinks might cause the water which usually produces the seal to evaporate and then dry out, causing sewage gases to rise into the home. To prevent this, all you need to do is run water in each drain periodically, about once each month.

Egg Rot

The smell of egg rot or sulfur is definitely not pleasant and is a sign that something is seriously wrong. It usually means you either have an electrical problem or a gas leak. Manufacturers of natural gas are mandated to add a special chemical named mercaptan inside so that it is easier to perform leak detection. When this additive isn’t present, it won’t be possible to smell, taste, or see natural gas. So if you detect the infamous rotten egg smell, the first thing you’ll want to do is check with your gas company.

Aside from gas leaks, the smell of rotted eggs can also result from faulty electrical systems. If you’ve checked for a gas leak and none is present, the next thing you’ll want to do is try shutting down your circuit breaker. Additionally, the smell of rotted eggs might come from running out of hot water. This is because you probably have an aging anode rod that needs to be replaced. Experts recommend replacing anode rods once every five years or so otherwise corrosion can occur, but many property owners are busy, and getting a replacement is easy to forget.

Stale Air

If you notice that the air in your home seems stale, this is often the result of air leakage. Does your home have an attic with recessed lights? If so this form of illumination is susceptible to leakage and if this is the case the leak will need to be sealed.

Fishy Smell

If you don’t have any seafood in your home or garbage, a fishy smell often results from electrical components which are overheating. If the plastic, wiring, or other electrical devices smells like sulfur or rotted fish, this means that you potentially have a dangerous situation on your hand like arcing within a switch or outlet that can lead to a fire. As you can imagine, this is not something you want to handle on your own, as you run the risk of being electrocuted or burned, so it is highly recommended to contact an expert immediately.