We have only lived here for 4 months and we've had some work done on the house (electric and new windows). There is an odd smell in the house for the last month or two now. It honestly smells like something died. It is not just in one room either. Is it possible for something to be in the ductwork or in the central air unit outside and spreading the smell through the whole house (even in our finished basement)? Last night I had the blower on, but the central air off and the smell was really awful this morning. Any suggestions on what could be causing this or how to find the source of the odor?
2006-07-12 02:35:38 · 16 answers · asked by carrie love 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Mice love to nest in insulation, so if you had a mouse (or several if there is poison around!) die in the insulation of a wall or up in the attic the smell WILL permeate through to the inside of the house. It should go away after about a month or two as they dry up. You can try having your ducts cleaned, but it is expensive and most likely NOT the cause. If you can figure out where the smell is strongest it will help you pinpoint the location. Try the insulation above the room where the smell is strongest. Look for feces and that should lead you to them. If it's in the wall you are going to have to live with it until they decompose and dry up. I have had this happen a few times over the years. LET THIS BE A LESSON! NEVER USE POISON! Because you can't control where the mice will die! Always use traps! (I'm not saying you did use poison, just don't!) Good luck!
2006-07-12 02:45:00 · answer #1 · answered by Icarus747 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't know where you live. In Florida, if you have fruit trees near your house (grapefruit/oranges, etc.) -- they can attract rats. They can get in the attic and die there. If a previous owner had a problem, they could have had something poisoned and could have died up there. Could be why you smell it now. Rats will generally find their way out of the attic though if poison is put up there because they will hunt for water. Bats can fly up under the eves and find a way in too. Doesn't mean you are dirty. Maybe you can find out who lived there before you and ask if they had a problem of any sort first. Then go from there. Unfortunately, you may have to just wait for it to go away.
2006-07-12 09:42:41 · answer #2 · answered by butterfliesRfree 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have had some mice sealed up when the new windows were installed. This happened to us this spring. It helped to open up the vents under the house. This house is pier and beam so there are vents that enable air to circulate and freshen. If you don't have vents, you may be stuck with that odor for another month or so. Scented candles and inscense may be your only salvation until the odor wanes. Good luck
2006-07-12 09:44:01 · answer #3 · answered by quicksilvergirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have any crawl space under your house the problem could be there. Perhaps a dead animal was sealed up under the house. If you have a full basement under the house there is a good possibility there is something dead in the duct work. There are businesses that will inspect and clean your ducts. I hope you get your problem solved soon, good luck.
2006-07-12 09:47:53 · answer #4 · answered by Caesar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have mold/mildew growing somewhere or even dead mice in the walls.
Don't know how you'd go about tracking it down unless you can find a particular room that smells the worst.
Good luck.
2006-07-12 09:38:27 · answer #5 · answered by parsonsel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say something was messed up with the electic stuff but, it's a little too long for that smell to linger. I would call someone and have them inspect your place before it gets any worse.
2006-07-12 09:40:13 · answer #6 · answered by Erin S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely get someone in to check it - maybe the people that originally did the work! Whatever is blowing into your house could be toxic and dangerous!
2006-07-12 09:39:29 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If nothing dead, can be gas leak or if the ducts made of poor material like tin it can smell if any internal corrosion occurred, check the duct-work..
2006-07-12 09:46:49 · answer #8 · answered by Drone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mybe something did die, in the mean time while your guessing what it is get some oil burners and camoflage the smell with insence
2006-07-12 09:44:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the smell is unbearable make your house clean and paint .
2006-07-12 09:41:36 · answer #10 · answered by Rim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋