Disgusting smell in the house, driving us mad

Could something be stuck in the U bend of your sink?

Try the light fitting. Sometimes old bakelite fittings start to stink when they heat up as they get old

Wow man, you are having a hard time-sorry to hear that!

If it's any consolation, I have been dealing with odour problems for many years and am an accredited odour remediation technician.

Clearly, you have been pretty damn exhaustive in trying to locate the SOURCE of the odour, so you are on the right track. Locating and removing the odour source is the first principal of odour remediation. A few questions and comments.....

Can you describe the general building materials and construction?

Think carefully..... are there any patterns or cycles as to when the odour is most prominent? (with various weather, day/night, time of day etc)

How long have you been having the problem? Did it suddenly or gradually occur? Has it diminished in that time?

The more info you can provide, the better the chances of finding the solution!

It may be worthwhile having a qualified technician attend the property. Can you tell me which suburb you're in, and if you like, I can source a tech for you. (Costs may possibly even be covered by insurance depending on your policy).

My gut feeling is that the odour is related to the water-damage you reported. A tech can inspect and measure* to see if there is any remaining water-damaged materials that may be supporting the odour. Keep in mind that many materials will remain damp for months after exposure, and unless professionally remediated, may remain damp. As it does, it can support abundant microbial growth, including various species of fungi. Only a qualified tech can determine these factors.

* In certain cases, specialists with IR cameras are required to detect moisture problems in difficult to access areas.

If I'm right and odours are related to moisture, effective drying procedures are necessary. Anti-microbial treatments may also be required.

Ash.

I think the offensive odour has been found... back in February.

Will pay MUCH MORE attention to dates of posts in future! Thought it was a current issue when I responded.

Anyway you got to the source and sorted it (and a few other things that needed attention) so that's the main thing.

A final word......

Having pot plants inside the home is not a good idea. I've studied indoor air quality quite extensively, and would suggest if anyone has them, take them outside where they belong!

Ash.

In a lecture I attended some years ago by a leading environmental toxicologist, there were a lot of studies outlined. From memory, what he said was that a study was conducted to test the concept you refer to.

Yes, plants in theory are good 'air cleaners' (absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen) but to have a beneficial affect, there would almost need to be a forest of plants in the room, something like 3 per square metre, and there was statistical data he presented. So, the real benefit in these terms is negligible.

The real problem is that the plants grow in wet microbe laden supporting materials. The fungi etc in the soil when introduced into an indoor living environment can have a very negative impact on air quality, and become quite unhealthy. The possibility of water damage to local materials due to spills, leaks and over-watering increases too. I have seen many carpets that have rotted due to pot-plant spills.

Keep in mind that the microbes that exist in soil are a natural part of the outdoor environment, but outside, the organisms are kept in balance by outside elements such as sunlight. Introduce these same microbes into a sealed indoor environment without the balancing sunlight, and fungal spores and mycotoxins can quickly proliferate and contaminate the air.

Don't understimate the potential toxicity of these things!

Ash.

Yes............

Open windows allowing cross-ventilation on a regular basis.

Again studies were presented, showing dramatic reduction in indoor pollutants with this simple practice.

Funny that we need a university and umpteen experts to tell us what is basically common sense.

Ash.

Parker you are exactly right!

Buildings have become more and more tightly sealed over the last few decades, and that is the main reason that indoor air quality has become a major issue, and is rated by the world health organisation as (from memory) the 5th most serious health issue. Asthma and chemical sensitivities have become commonplace.

And all because we create tight little micro-environments and fill them up with all sorts of toxins and allergens. In many cases, the air we breathe at home will be at least 5 times more toxic than outdoor air in a heavy industrial area.

We are seeing a lot more intelligent building designs these days though.

Sure, thermal efficiency is certainly important, and by insulating and sealing our homes, we may be using less energy, but we should be aware of the need to regularly open up so that the load of airborne pollutants is diluted and the air refreshed. It doesn't take much, but it should be routine.

I'll see if I can find a site with more info to post here.

Ash.

Yes, I know Dr Peter Kemp and Dr Peter Dingle that were behind that program. Peter Kemp and his wife Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp run a Perth based business called Mycologia Australia. see www.mould.com.au

Ash.