What’s That Smell? Stinky Culprits in the Home

Unpleasant smells in the home can be more than just an odor. Sometimes, those smells can be a sign of a serious problem. Here are some forms of stink that you want to make sure to find the source of to rule out a major issue.

1. Fishy or Urine Smell – A fishy smell or even a urine-like smell could be a sign of electrical wiring issues. The plastic coating and components that are part of your home’s wiring system can emit a fishy or urine smell when subjected to high heat, such as an electrical short. If you haven’t been frying up your latest catch and smell something fishy, it’s a good idea to check in with an electrician.

2. Rotten Egg Smell – Many people know that natural gas companies add sulfur to make it easier for people to smell a potential gas leak and get to safety. While you should always leave the home and call for help if you smell rotten eggs, you might be surprised to learn that sewer gas has a very similar smell. If you get the all clear on your gas lines, it could be sewer gas leaking up from your sinks or tubs into the home. Try running some water in all the drains and see if the smell fades. If so, you could have a faulty seal in your plumbing that is letting the sewer gas leak up into your home. A plumber is your odor eliminator in this case.

3. Musty Smell or Old Stale House Smell – This odor is a big cause for concern because the most common reason for this smell is hidden mold. Mold can make you and everyone in your family (even your pets) very sick. Mold growth can be due to leaky plumbing, faulty ventilation from your HVAC system, poor ventilation in bathrooms and gutter leaks. There are a number of companies and environmental engineers that specialize in detecting whether you have a mold problem and pinpointing the source of the moisture fueling the mold growth.

4. Rotten Food Smell – For this stink, you’ll want to hold your nose while you check the food trap in your dishwasher first to remove any old food particles. Did you know that your dishwasher needs a deep cleaning of its own from time to time to keep it working properly? Running it empty with baking soda and vinegar will have it smelling fresh and clean again. And make sure to clean the seal around the door with a vinegar and water mixture to take care of any mold or mildew growth in the folds of the seal.

Some smells are harmless and easily remedied. Other smells in your home could indicate a serious issue or even a health hazard for you and your family. It’s important to find the source of any unusual smells just in case you need more specialized help beyond a good clean-up!