strange fish smell in our house - HELP.?

Question

Usually around 00:30 a really strong stink of fish enters our house.
but it's mainly just in one area of the house.
it's been downstairs in our living room, our dining room, a bedroom and the halls.
it drives my mum CRAZY.

we not long had our whole house decorated, re-done the electric, new kitchen all because our hall smelt a bit old and damp.
so you can imagin what she's like now only just spending thousands of pounds on getting rid of a smell.

(could it be the fact that one of the builders messed something up?)

please help us. we want to know what it is and why it comes.
thanks.

Answer 1

Check your plugs and plug sockets.

My friend had the same problem, she thought it was her tumble dryer, so she bought a new one.

She then discovered that the plug socket had burnt. An electrician told her that the fishy smell is the bacolite which i think the plug or plug socket is made from. (so she neednt have bought a new dryer after all)

This sounds dangerous so please check all sockets in the area again!

Answer 2

If you have storage heaters it could be the connection unit has a loose connection and is burning. Place your hand on the plates in the area when the smell is around, if you feel a bit of extra warmth, switch off and have it replaced. The economy 7 time will start at about the time you mention. Electrical accessories have phenolic or similar insulation which is just like fish when overheating.

Could also be a plastic lampholder with a high wattage lamp fitted. Change it to a T2 type if so.

Answer 3

My house never smells even though my husband smokes. What I do is open the door everyday for 5 minutes to air out the house. Then I spray every room with a good spray. The next thing I do is check each room to see if there is mold or dirt that I should remove. If everything looks good, then I know I won't have a problem. Your case might be more severe. What I would do is get a cleaning lady in just one time and tell her you want the smell gone. She should be able to at least tell you what it is.

Answer 4

give the 10 points to Yorkshire. 12:30 the central heating must kick in on auto. hence why you smell fish at that time of night. look for a discarded sardine tin or tuna tin behind the radiators. some tradesmen are real shifty bastards, they'll leave it there, you phone them. they'll come out and eradicate the smell for a fee when in reality all they did is pick up their own rubbish. its a legal way to rip someone off. "honest govner i didn't know it was there"

Answer 5

It could be something dead like a mouse or some crawling creature. If you are on a septic tank,it is known to attracts rats. Someone might have put out some bait to kill mice or rats and perhaps died in between your walls or in your roof. Might be a good idea to check that.

Answer 6

its the rubber protection around you electric cable when it overheats it will smell like fish and the fact its mobile proves my suggestion also you can find if you have say 100 watt bulb where 40 is recommended then the plastic shield around the bulb will also give off a fish smell but i think you should get the electrician back and sharpish as it sounds like the new wiring they put in

Answer 7

It does sound like an electrical fault. As it comes on at the same time - 12.30am - it makes me wonder if you have an economy seven meter and there is an appliance, say a heater, that comes on when the meter switches over to E7.

Answer 8

sounds like something is going on in the electric fuse box, I had the same smell in my old house and it was the main fuse about to go...I think we were told that they coat it in something so that you do smell it first...get it checked out for ya own safety.

Answer 9

it sounds electrical to me - when a socket is overheating it smells like fish - get an electrician in.

Answer 10

Move out of Grimsby