Dangerous House Smells You Should Never Ignore
As hard as it is to believe sometimes,
humans used to be a nature dwelling species, relying on their hunting
skills to survive, just like other animals. We did retain some of those
age-old instincts as a species, like our sense of smell for example. If
something doesn’t smell right to you, there is probably a good reason,
and you should trust that primal instinct.
If you sense a strange or unusual smell in
your home, taking swift action can prevent a disaster sometimes. These
are noteworthy home odors that every homeowner should be on high alert
for, what they could mean, and how to solve the problem.
1. Smell of gas
Gas is naturally odorless, so in order to
make it detectable, the chemical mercaptan is added which creates the
skunk-like odor we associate with gas. The fact that you can smell gas
when you shouldn’t is a sure-fire sign you might have a gas leak
somewhere. Gas is explosive and highly toxic; in fact, enough gas in the
air could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you smell gas leave your home immediately and contact the gas company
through a mobile phone, or a neighbor’s phone. Avoid using your own
landline, turning on appliances, lights, or starting your car. This
could cause a spark and may ignite a gas explosion.
2. Musty smell
A strong musty smell is usually a sign of a sink leak or a damaged pipe
that has given rise to mold, which loves to grow in damp, dark spots.
Mold holds danger especially to those suffering from asthma or severe
allergies. Inhaling mold spores could potentially lead to lung
infections and other health issues.
It is important to find the source of condensation. If it is a
non-porous surface like tiles, disinfect with 10 percent bleach and
water solution and let sit for ten minutes while ventilating. For porous
surfaces like drywall, it’s best to replace them. If you’ve looked
everywhere and can’t see the mold, it may be in the walls. In this case,
you can contact your local health care department or a home inspector.
3. Smoke-like smell
The smell of smoke is an obvious cause for
concern, but experts claim even a small occasional whiff can indicate a
big problem. Take note if you smell it when you use a particular
electrical appliance or light switch - it could be an electrical spark
behind the wall, which could lead to a fire in your home. If you detect a
smell of smoke, call the fire department or an electrician right away.
4. Foul bathroom odor
If you start smelling excessive sewage
odors coming from your bathroom, you might have a leak of sewer gas or
sewerage buildup in your plumbing. A leak of sewer gas is dangerous as
it contains toxic and potentially explosive components like hydrogen
sulfide and methane, which could cause an array of problems from
eye-irritation to loss of consciousness. The most common reason for this
is a rarely used bathroom. If you have a guest toilet, for example, the
water in the system may have dried up, allowing putrid gasses to pass
through.
To fix the problem, simply pour a glass of water into the bathroom
drain, says Frank Lesh, executive director of the American Society of
Home Inspectors. To stop the water from evaporating again, you can add a
teaspoon of vegetable oil. Alternatively, you could have an issue with
sewage drainage, or clogging, in which case it is best to call a
plumber.
5. Fishy smell
If you sense a fishy odor in your home but
don’t remember cooking any seafood recently, it might mean that a
certain electrical fixture, likely an appliance, in your home is
overheating. The fishy smell comes from the melting plastic, rubber, or
another material found around the afflicted appliance.
Try to identify where the smell is coming from. If it’s indeed an
appliance, you can consult an expert to decide if it’s fixable or needs
to be thrown out. If the smell comes from an outlet or a switch, it’s
best to call an electrician.
6. The smell of a wet or dirty dog
If you notice a raunchy smell that reminds
you of a wet dog, but you don’t own a dog, it’s a cause for concern.
After all, nothing smells like our favorite furry friends than other
furry creatures. Wet-dog smell could mean you have rodents, squirrels,
or raccoons in your attic.
These critters typically crawl through the drafters in your roof and
leave their droppings all around, which could pose major health risks
according to the CDC. If you find feces in your attic, contact pest
control to ensure safe removal.
7. Smell of old cigarettes
You’re probably well-aware of first and
second-hand smoke and the terrible effect they have on our health. Newly
emerging concerns point out the dangers of third-hand smoke, too.
Third-hand smoke is tobacco particles which settled onto surfaces such
as furniture, carpets, curtains, linen, and clothing. If you sense a
faint smell of cigarettes in a vacation rental or a new home, it might
mean it was previously occupied by smokers.
“We don’t know how significant third-hand smoke exposure is, but kids are
at greatest risk by rolling on the carpet, touching tables, then
sticking their fingers in their mouths,” says David Dyjack, executive
director of the National Environmental Health Association. He recommends
thoroughly cleaning the house if you suspect third-hand smoke.
8. Sweaty locker-room smell
A sweaty, locker-room kind of smell isn’t
necessarily coming from your gym bag or laundry basket. In some cases,
it could indicate a buildup of bacteria in your heating system.
Condensation creates the perfect habitat for bacterial growth,
especially in the spring and fall. If you have ruled out all the other
possible culprits, you should probably call an HVAC expert or try and
clean the system yourself with a proper cleaning product.
9. Ammonia smell
A strong smell of ammonia can resemble that
of cat urine. If you don’t own a cat and don’t use ammonia-based
cleaning products, this unpleasant metallic smell is one you shouldn’t
ignore. It could indicate a number of things. Many older appliances use
ammonia as a coolant, so give those a sniff. The source could also be
mold and even a critter that died in your walls. The latter is not
necessarily dangerous but points to a pest problem you might need to
tackle.