*
I know this is a bit outside of the building topics, but I’m getting desperate. An odor, very difficult to describe but “unpleasant”, “stale” and “slightly moldy/mildewy” might give you a clue, has been intermittently wafting through select rooms in my 1991 stick-built 2 story colonial for several years (no joke). I can’t tell if it is septic gas, a dead animal, mold, mildew or what. It comes about 20 times per year (more frequently now than before), usually (but not necessarily) associated with windy days or laundry days, and is in the bathrooms or in the rooms adjacent to them (1st and 2nd floors). Opening the front door for a time can sometimes generate the smell.
I’ve checked all of the obvious: no water damage anywhere showing, water in all of the drain traps, plumbing inspected in the basement and found to be to code and vented properly, house moisture between 40 to 75%RH, checked the attic batt fill for water damage or animal sign-none found, no gurgling sounds from the sinks. In desperation I ripped the drywall from the first floor 1/2 bath to expose the vent pipes-all ok for at least the portion that’s visible.
What can I do?? Is there a cable-camera small enough to snake into my 1.5″ vent pipes to make sure they’re clear all the way to the roof? Is there a specialist that I can get to help?? (Detroit area). Please come through for me folks…save me from ripping up the 2nd floor carpet and subfloor and all the drywall!!
TIA!,
Desperate in Detroit
Replies
*
I know this is a bit outside of the building topics, but I'm getting desperate. An odor, very difficult to describe but "unpleasant", "stale" and "slightly moldy/mildewy" might give you a clue, has been intermittently wafting through select rooms in my 1991 stick-built 2 story colonial for several years (no joke). I can't tell if it is septic gas, a dead animal, mold, mildew or what. It comes about 20 times per year (more frequently now than before), usually (but not necessarily) associated with windy days or laundry days, and is in the bathrooms or in the rooms adjacent to them (1st and 2nd floors). Opening the front door for a time can sometimes generate the smell.
I've checked all of the obvious: no water damage anywhere showing, water in all of the drain traps, plumbing inspected in the basement and found to be to code and vented properly, house moisture between 40 to 75%RH, checked the attic batt fill for water damage or animal sign-none found, no gurgling sounds from the sinks. In desperation I ripped the drywall from the first floor 1/2 bath to expose the vent pipes-all ok for at least the portion that's visible.
What can I do?? Is there a cable-camera small enough to snake into my 1.5" vent pipes to make sure they're clear all the way to the roof? Is there a specialist that I can get to help?? (Detroit area). Please come through for me folks...save me from ripping up the 2nd floor carpet and subfloor and all the drywall!!
TIA!,
Desperate in Detroit