Locating the Source of a Strong Bitter Odor in Basement
We have a odor in our basement which we only noticed about one month ago. The smell is very bitter and to begin with I thought it was the herb, dill, but as there is nothing like that downstairs. It wasn't that and it seems to be getting stronger as time goes by. It is now starting to come up thru the heat pipes.
As we are able to keep the windows open now it isn't a real problem, but it will be when it we have to close them. Is there anything like a meter that will read when we are close to the problem? We have been thru everything and washed what we thought might pose a problem with no success. Any help would be appreciated.
If you have gas, it will smell like rotten eggs. They put a chemical in it called mercapaden (sp?). It's for that purpose alone. It truely smells like sulpher.
You may have some kind of sealent, or acidic substance that has soaked through and old can and into the wood or piping system. You may also have a dead animal. You may want to call a plumber and see that your sewage pipes have not been cracked by tree limbs, or your local HVAC company. Good luck!
By
07/28/2011
You said it smelled like dill, do you have jars of dill pickles or pickle relish that might have started leaking?
By
07/28/2011
If you have gas in your home you need to open your windows and call the gas co. right now! Do not wait even if it is after hours. This could be dangerous. Do not use your phone in the house and do not go in until you have been checked. If you do not have gas I do not know what it could be.