Smelly mould warning sign as households urged to 'take action immediately' - what to do
The presence of something unwanted or even dangerous in your home can show up as an unpleasant smell.
Our homes should be our sanctuary - spaces to rest, relax and find a break from the busyness of our lives.
As the place we spend so much of our time, we should rest easy knowing they are clean and safe environments for both ourselves and our loved ones. To keep everybody safe, it's important to be aware of certain smells and what they could mean.
Whilst some are just bad odours, others are a sign of something dangerous. Property expert Joshua Houston at Household Quotes has stepped in to warn of five odours you should be aware of in your home.
"Ensuring that you and your family are safe in the place you call home is crucial for a sound peace of mind," he said.
"Whilst going about your everyday life you will notice an abundance of different smells, some will be harmless and others will not.
"Take onboard the advice I’ve given with these five odours, not every time you sense them means you’re in immediate danger, but it is always better to be safe than sorry."
Mould
To start, this smell indicates exactly what it says, that there’s likely a build-up of mould or dampness inside of your home.
Take action immediately as it can cause serious respiratory issues and could be deadly for those with allergies or breathing problems like asthma. Locate where the build-up has happened and either treat it yourself or call up your landlord to make sure it is rectified.
Rotten eggs
The smell of rotten eggs might sound like it’s from a more amusing source, but it can actually be very dangerous. A rotten egg or sulphur-like scent is often associated with a natural gas leak.
If you smell this then evacuate your home immediately and call up your gas company. As the smell can cause breathing problems, or if something sparks in the vicinity then a potentially deadly explosion can occur.
Wet dog
Wet dog smell is common for those with pets, however it does occasionally linger for those that don’t as well. If you’re one of these people, don’t forget about it and move on as it could be a sign of a pest infestation.
Wet rats, mice or squirrels give off a similar smell, so it is possible that one of these rodents has gained access to your home. Once you sense this scent, do a thorough search of your property, and if you’re particularly worried then call in a professional.
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Sewage
A sewage smell can indicate several different things, most commonly you might smell sewage due to bacteria building up in your pipes. This will require some simple pipe cleaning, using strong chemicals like drain unblockers that will treat your pipes and dissolve anything nasty.
However, on rare occasions, there could be a blocked or damaged sewer line. This is more serious as it will require you to contact your local water company for help and advice.
It will need to be sorted as quickly as possible before getting worse for you and your neighbours.
Fish
Fishy smells are often associated with going off food, however, it is also surprisingly linked with electrical wiring issues. Such problems include overloaded circuits, faulty circuits and frayed wires.
All of these are huge fire risks given the amount of electricity that runs through these areas. If you notice this odour, inspect the electrical systems inside your home.
Common areas for these potential dangers are in your kitchen or behind your TV in the living room.
