My basement smells like something died down there. We think that it might have been a mouse or something. We pinpointed it behind the built-in bookcase or behind one of the walls in one room, but when we took the bookcase off and removed the insulation, we saw nothing. We called a pest company and they told us to just let it dissipate, but it has been a month. The smell goes from being really strong to being mild, than to strong again and we are now started to observe gnats flying throughout the house. What should I do?
2006-12-26 04:58:37 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
We have checked for sewage leaks and even called our septic tank contractors about it (we placed our entire septic system over the summer).
We have a de-humidifier down there for mold, although we could check for that.
2006-12-26 05:17:31 · update #1
Also, we don't have a sewer drain down there
2006-12-26 05:19:40 · update #2
If is smells like road kill, you can almost assuredly dismiss mold or sewage as the problem. Mold will smell musty, sewage will smell, well like crap.
Sometimes the smell of dead animals will remain in insulation and wood for a long period of time after the carcass is gone.
Call a professional restoration company (such as fire restoration) . They have chemicals that can kill the odor and remain for a long time. Good luck.
2006-12-26 06:14:53 · answer #1 · answered by tim r 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where is the sewer drain in the basement? The trap may not have water in in. Pouring lightly chlorinated water into the trap will help. If you have a very dry basement keeping the trap filled is a must, otherwise sewer gas can come out.
Are there any sewre vent pipes that could be leaking?
Does the sewer line run under that area of the basement? You may need to have it checked for a break.
IF on an outside wall I've heard of septic water standing in drain tiles, gassing off into the house.
If I did not help, have some baement contractors take a look.
If there is a consensus on a porblem, then they may be able to do something...for a lot of money.
2006-12-26 05:06:48 · answer #2 · answered by sanbornstrees 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if this will help, but I had a car once that stunk when I put the a/c on. I tried everything to get the smell out, but I just ended up getting rid of the car. Alternatively, you could put a piece of plywood over the basement door and paint it to look like the wall and pretend you have no basement. The easiest thing would be just not go down there.
2006-12-31 22:31:44 · answer #3 · answered by wade_whitehouse 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a mold and not actually something organic decomposing. Call a mold/hazmat abatement company because if the area behind that built-in bookcase was exposed to moisture, you may be having a nasty mold growing there and giving off that funky odor.
2006-12-26 05:08:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's a sewage problem. Check your drains too. Sometimes water gets snagnent in the drains. We pour bleach down our basement drains when it gets that smell. It helps.
2006-12-26 05:07:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might have to paint walls to get rid of smell. if you can find where smell is coming from use vinegar and water with maybe just a little bleach. i know that will get rid of cat pee smell. hope it works.
2006-12-26 05:08:18 · answer #6 · answered by rlnoon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u could bring a hole can of outs and sprey it everywere or go down there and try and figure out were the smell is coming from. or it could be theres dirty clothes down there LOL!
2006-12-26 05:06:43 · answer #7 · answered by babydol556 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
call a different pest company to get another opinion.
2006-12-26 05:03:23 · answer #8 · answered by TheRaven_poe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋