Homes sometimes have many types of unpleasant odors. While some of these odors are fairly simple to address, others should prompt you to call a professional at Mitch Wright Plumbing Heating & Air. Certain odors can indicate more serious problems that need to be addressed by a professional, including smells of mustiness, rotten eggs, sulfur, or sewage.
Musty odors
If your home smells like wet cardboard or has a musty odor, it may have hidden mold. Some mold is toxic and should be cleaned by a professional. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the best way to prevent mold in your home is to control its moisture. The following types of problems can cause mold:
Plumbing leaks
Poorly ventilated bathrooms and kitchens
Gutter problems
Window frames that allow condensation to build
If you find that some mold has accumulated on your window frames or sills, clean it with vinegar or soap and water. For larger problems, you should contact Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air for an indoor air quality assessment. We can help to identify the location of mold in your home and fix the underlying problem that is causing it.
Rotten eggs or sewage odors
Sewage smells similar to rotten eggs. If you smell the putrid stench of rotten eggs in your home, it could either indicate a gas leak or a problem with your sewer lines. If the smell of rotten eggs is sudden, you may have a gas leak and should leave your home and call the gas company. If the smell only occurs in your bathroom and is persistent, it might indicate a problem with your P-trap. The P-trap traps water in your pipe to create a seal that blocks sewer gas from leaking into your home. This can happen if you have not used a sink for a while or when your toilet's water level drops too low. You can try flushing your toilet again or running water in your sink. In other cases, you may have a more serious issue in your drain pipe, vent pipes, or sewer lines. These types of problems should prompt you to call Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air for plumbing services.
Sulfur smells
Areas that have water with a high sulfur content may result in the sulfur reacting with the hot water heaters' anode rods. If you smell sulfur in your home, it could be a problem with your water heater. If you are not using a water softener, a regular anode can be replaced with an aluminum or zinc anode. This is because these types of anodes have a reduced current, which will help to reduce the amount of gas that is generated inside of the tank. You can check by turning on your hot water to see if the sulfur smell is stronger. If it is, contact Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air for water heater services.
Dealing with bad odors in your home can make your living environment unpleasant. If you are experiencing any of these smells in your home, you should contact a professional at Mitch Wright Plumbing, Heating & Air. Just fill out our form online or call us at (901) 795-9044 to schedule an appointment. Our pros are trained in cleanliness and will exercise the utmost care and caution while assisting you.