What’s That Strange Smell In Your Home?

Odd and unpleasant smells in your home could be worth investigating. In many cases, they could be a sign of a hidden danger. Below are a few strange smells to look out for and the cause behind them.

Rotten eggs

A long-forgotten box of eggs in a cupboard could be causing a rotten egg smell, but it’s more likely to be something else. That rotten egg smell is in fact sulfur produced by various types of gas. It may be possible that you have a gas leak, in which case you should call an emergency plumber immediately as it could be very dangerous (you should also open all windows, turn off the gas at the mains and ideally get out of the premises). If you smell rotten eggs when you turn on a tap, the issue may be caused by a water heater fault (the anode rod may need replacing). 

Fishy Smells

If you haven’t eaten any fish recently and there’s an oddly fishy smell in your home, it might be caused by burning electrical components. Many people compare this burning plastic odor to the smell of fish. Try to follow the smell to see if it’s coming from an outlet or a fuse box. If so, you should turn off the power and call out an electrician - this smell could be the early warning sign that an electrical fire is about to take place. 

Sewerage

Sewerage is not an odor that anyone wants to smell in their home. A blocked drain could be the cause - an emergency plumbing company such as Sydney Emergency Plumbing may be able to get to the bottom of the issue. Dried out p-traps in seldom used sinks can sometimes be to blame too, allowing sewerage gas to rise up through the sink - running water through the sink may be able to solve this, but if not you should call out a plumber. 

Musty odor

A musty smell is often caused by damp and mildew. It’s possible that there could be visible signs of mold on the walls or there could be a hidden source of mold somewhere (it could be growing behind furniture or in a cupboard). Mold likes to grow in damp, warm and dark places with little air circulation. Ventilating your home, letting in sunlight, using heating sporadically and fixing water leaks can help to prevent mold. Buying an air purifier may also help to prevent mold growth. 

Harsh chemical scents

Chemical scents are often caused by cleaning products, paints or varnishes. A particularly pungent chemical smell could be caused by mixing cleaning chemicals that shouldn’t be mixed - if the smell is too strong, open a few windows and get out of that room (the fumes could be toxic). Chemical smells can also be caused by burning plastics. Make sure that laminated furniture isn’t kept near heat sources as this could be a cause. 

Burning smells

The smell of burning in your home is never a good sign. If you’re not cooking anything and haven’t got any candles or fireplaces lit, check your home’s electrical outlets. Before an electrical fire breaks out, an outlet may give off a burning smell, possibly accompanied by smoke and odd sounds. Turn off the power in your home and call an electrician if you suspect this to be the problem.