A home can harbor all sorts of unpleasant odors, like cat urine, cigarette smoke, stinky sneakers, and more. In fact, they are so common that there’s an entire industry dedicated to banishing offending odors.
Yet some smells aren’t just unpleasant, they can signify hazardous conditions that require your attention. Here’s how to tell whether a funky odor inside your home is an easy fix or harmful to your health.
Rotten Egg
Under normal circumstances natural gas is odorless. As a safety measure, gas companies add a foul-smelling odorant to produce a “rotten egg” smell. If you smell rotten eggs, you could have a gas leak. Vacate the premises immediately and call the gas company from a safe distance. Do not turn any lights or appliances on or off.
Something Fishy
Unless it’s last nights halibut, a fishy smell can signify that an electrical component is burning or overheating. If not addressed quickly, it could result in a house fire. Contact an electrician asap.
Sewage Odor
If you notice excessive sewage smells emanating from the bathroom, you may want to call a licensed plumber. It could indicate that a vent pipe is clogged or that you have a cracked sewer pipe.
Cat Urine
Smell cat urine but don’t have a cat? It can be an indication of mold. Certain types have a similar odor, including toxic black mold which should be remedied right away.
Wet Dog
Squirrels, racoons, and rats give off a similar odor to wet dog. So if you don’t have a four-legged companion, you may have a rodent problem. Keep your family safe by contacting a professional pest control company.
Locker Room Smell
That dirty sock smell might not be coming from dirty socks after all. Instead, it can be caused by a buildup of bacteria on your heating system coils. The best way to rid your home of the stench is to call a qualified HVAC professional to clean the coils.
Musty Odor
A musty smell is often a sign on mold or mildew, especially in moisture-prone or humid environments like the bathroom, laundry room, or basement. It’s important to eliminate the cause of mold or mildew and properly clean the affected area with a mixture of bleach and water.
Your home’s plumbing system should be odor-free. If you pick up a musty or sewage smell from your bathroom, kitchen, or basement that won’t go away, it’s time to call the plumbing professionals at Norhio Plumbing. We have the resources and experience to help keep your home safe, comfortable, and worry-free.
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