How to rid my basement of a foul smell?

Question

I got a real good deal on a house. It came on the market after the woman who lived there disappeared and her live-in boyfriend moved out of state. Its a great place except for one thing. The basement has a foul smell. Its not a musty basement smell either. It smells like something is rotting.
I've tried to track down the source. It seems to be coming from a fresh patch of concrete on the floor. Does concrete rot? Did they use the wrong kind of concrete? Is there some kind of sealer I could put on it to block the smell?

Answer 1

Concrete doesn't rot as such- but you might want to have the house inspected. Since it's fresh, I kind of wonder what it's hiding.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I concure with MT C. Fresh concrete over a rotton corpse is always a suspect. They probably did not mix it right (not enough water, therefore it is porous, letting smell through) - being in a hurry and all. Consider the facts, women disappears, boyfriend jets out of state. Either he off'ed her or they both off'ed a third person. Hell, get a shovel and start investigating. Would make a hell of a 1-hour special on Discovery.

After the investigators leave, mix cement according to instructions. Let cure for recommended amount of time - then, seal over with a water-proofing basement sealer.

Answer 3

I have to wonder about what the other answerer said. Why fresh concrete in only one spot? Does the odor seem to be coming from that one particular spot? It happens, ya know! Before you go any further, I would have it checked out. The police (non-emergency #) might be a good place to start. Good luck!

Answer 4

Alright a good mystery. Dig up the body now!

Answer 5

I have a body buried in my basement too.