I rent the first floor of a house that has been converted into apts. The Saturday before last, our landlord had the septic tank pumped or adjusted in same way. Upon doing so, the gases filled up the basement. The comp. who did the work said they would dissipate within a day. Instead, it started to get worse. The smell is now filling up our apt. We told the landlord about it and he sent over his fix-it man (not from the sewer comp) and he dumped bleach down the great and tried a new cap. The smell disappeared for about half a day and today it's as bad--at times worse--as usual. The guy came over and dumped more bleach and the landlord said the company would come Friday since tomorrow is a holiday.
So I want to know--just how dangerous are these gases? What are our rights? Should we go stay in a hotel? (we have three pets so that's a problem)
PS It's not a fecal smell..it's more like a musty, dirty smell--kinda like cow manure.
2007-11-21 09:02:28 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
this is a health and saftey violation and the previous answerer gave a lot of good information. But... the bad news is if you call the fire department or other public agencys the odds are that your apartment will be condemed until the problem has been totally rectified. It sounds like the gas is not methane oriented so I don't believe that you have and explosive problem on your hands. Wait for the "company" to come back and see if it solves the problem. If not, contact the health department for more information. But be aware. You might end up having to leave your home.
2007-11-21 10:43:03 · answer #1 · answered by Traveler 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the company that was there. Explain the situation and see what they say. If the landlord hasn't called them, they won't know. You can call the Fire Department(Non-Emergency #) and ask them to monitor the air. You may have Methane Gas building up, and that's explosive. So call them and the city inspector. If they are closed, call the Police and ask them to contact them, or ask the Fire Department. Document everything!! The time/date you called and results. If you have to go to a hotel, keep the receipts, and food costs. Get statements from all of them, even the hotel desk!
2007-11-21 09:17:49 · answer #2 · answered by kemosabbe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a carbon monoxide detector ASAP. You can't smell it and that's why people die. Headaches are a sign so have it checked out as soon as you can. The detectors aren't expensive and worth it to save your life. A small leak will just make you feel lousy and it sounds like everyone in the house is having some sort of issues. Gas smells like dead mice so you'll know it.
2016-05-24 22:34:12 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋