A household has a variety of scents and odors. You might notice the smell of fresh laundry, the odor of oil in the garage, or the smell of dinner cooking in the oven. Your nose offers a lot of information about your environment. A strange smell lingering in the house could signify a problem. Here are a few tips for identifying odors in the home.
Identifying Fishy Odors in the Home
If you didn’t prepare fish for dinner but notice a fishy smell, this could indicate electrical components burning or overheating. Loose wiring or damaged electrical cords may heat up, and the insulation surrounding them could melt. Faulty outlets and overloaded circuits could also cause a strange smell. If there’s no apparent reason for a fishy odor, call your electrician to assess the situation.
Sewage Smell in the Bathroom
If your bathroom starts to smell foul, you may have sewer issues. A dried p-trap may be the culprit because when the water in the trap evaporates, it no longer blocks sewer odors from your home. If you’re not skilled at DIY plumbing, contact a professional plumber to identify the source of the problem and make repairs.
Sulfur Odors in Your Home
If you are met with the sulfurous smell of rotten eggs when you walk in the door, this is a severe danger. So that homeowners can detect a natural gas leak, gas companies add a chemical that smells like rotten eggs to the fuel. When this odor is present, don’t switch on appliances or lights. Open the windows, leave the house, and call the gas company immediately.
A Lingering Musty Smell
If a musty smell is noticeable in your basement, bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, it might be a warning sign of a mold problem. Mold in the home can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms and cause severe respiratory concerns. It is possible to clean and remove mold, but finding the root cause is essential. Check for broken pipes, roof leaks, and signs of water damage.
An Odor Like a Wet Dog
When there is a smell like a barnyard or a wet dog, it may be necessary to call an exterminator. Mice, raccoons, and squirrels sometimes cause that particular odor. Rodents destroy electrical wiring, insulation, and other components of your home. They can also transmit diseases. An experienced pest control service will be able to discover and solve your problem.
If you notice an unusual smell, try to locate the source. Peculiar odors offer clues to problems and concerns in the home.
HG Home Inspection offers inspection services in Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas. Contact us to request an appointment.