Comments on: Revenge of the Smelly Ducting http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting Viewpoints on technology, society, and government Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:11:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Margaret http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10154 Margaret Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:35:08 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10154 Dorenbos Plumbing and ASAP Plumbing have used smoke bombs in my house. Dorenbos Plumbing and ASAP Plumbing have used smoke bombs in my house.

]]> By: JJ Henry http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10148 JJ Henry Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:18:14 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10148 My favorite product to date is Room Shocker. This stuff really works on everything such as: carpet, furniture, and clothing. It is so interesting because it works like a fumigation bomb, but for bad odors. This stuff kills the odor right at the source and the smell never comes back. You have to get Room Shocker to help you out with your odor problem. Check it out at http://www.biocidesystems.com/roomshocker1.html My favorite product to date is Room Shocker. This stuff really works on everything such as: carpet, furniture, and clothing. It is so interesting because it works like a fumigation bomb, but for bad odors. This stuff kills the odor right at the source and the smell never comes back. You have to get Room Shocker to help you out with your odor problem. Check it out at http://www.biocidesystems.com/roomshocker1.html

]]> By: Gail http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10145 Gail Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:00:46 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10145 Did you ever find out what the smell was? I have the same smell coming out of the cold air return. It is upstairs in the Master Bedroom where the cold air return is in 2 from the hallway & master. The furnace is in the laundry room closet across from the master if this helps. There is no basement, only a crawl space. Our house is almost 3 years old. Did you ever find out what the smell was? I have the same smell coming out of the cold air return. It is upstairs in the Master Bedroom where the cold air return is in 2 from the hallway & master. The furnace is in the laundry room closet across from the master if this helps. There is no basement, only a crawl space. Our house is almost 3 years old.

]]> By: daphne http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10140 daphne Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:13:38 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10140 I reside in Brooklyn I have lived in my apartment for 6 years. My apartment is heated by oil. when my heat came on NOV 2011 I thought I would throw up there was a smell emitting out of the steam pouring out of the radiator. I immediately called my landlord who had no idea where the smell was coming from. He turned off the heat because the smell was so bad. The smell went away in 20 mins. Thank god is has been warm in NYC this winter., until last night. The temperature dropped drastically and I needed heat. The landlord turned the heat on and once again I thought I would throw my guts up The smell that came out of the radiators was putrid. My landlord has no idea how to get rid of this smell. Please someone help me so that I can tell my land lord how to help me winter has returned with a vengeance and i need heat. I reside in Brooklyn I have lived in my apartment for 6 years. My apartment is heated by oil. when my heat came on NOV 2011 I thought I would throw up there was a smell emitting out of the steam pouring out of the radiator. I immediately called my landlord who had no idea where the smell was coming from. He turned off the heat because the smell was so bad. The smell went away in 20 mins. Thank god is has been warm in NYC this winter., until last night. The temperature dropped drastically and I needed heat. The landlord turned the heat on and once again I thought I would throw my guts up The smell that came out of the radiators was putrid. My landlord has no idea how to get rid of this smell. Please someone help me so that I can tell my land lord how to help me winter has returned with a vengeance and i need heat.

]]> By: Brenda http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10129 Brenda Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:42:13 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10129 I have been having the same kind of problems in my home with air quality which seems to involve my central air . I have found it to be embarrasing and annoying my home was built in 1928. I have tried setting the vents in different directions but unsuccessful I feel like the air quality that is being produced is poor. My Cenral air unit is only 3 years old which performs fine minus the smell. I have had two plumbers come out to evaluate piping which is fine. Not sure what else to do except for opening all windows and buying an industial fan. I have been having the same kind of problems in my home with air quality which seems to involve my central air . I have found it to be embarrasing and annoying my home was built in 1928. I have tried setting the vents in different directions but unsuccessful I feel like the air quality that is being produced is poor. My Cenral air unit is only 3 years old which performs fine minus the smell. I have had two plumbers come out to evaluate piping which is fine. Not sure what else to do except for opening all windows and buying an industial fan.

]]> By: Madeline http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10079 Madeline Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:30:19 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10079 I think the pipes or some building materials could stink, especially the ones made in China. Once I bought a pair of brand new shoes at a good store, Ingledews in Canada. These stank up a big area in the house before I found out where the odor was coming from. I kept the shoes outside for the whole summer and in the garage for another half a year before the stench disappeared. I told this to a relative in Hungary and lo and behold she said she threw away a pair if made in China shoes. I just wonder if some building materials, especially nowdays that so many things come from recycled material and very low quality places, might start to let out stink due to heat, moving air and God knows what? I think the pipes or some building materials could stink, especially the ones made in China. Once I bought a pair of brand new shoes at a good store, Ingledews in Canada. These stank up a big area in the house before I found out where the odor was coming from. I kept the shoes outside for the whole summer and in the garage for another half a year before the stench disappeared. I told this to a relative in Hungary and lo and behold she said she threw away a pair if made in China shoes. I just wonder if some building materials, especially nowdays that so many things come from recycled material and very low quality places, might start to let out stink due to heat, moving air and God knows what?

]]> By: SCK http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10071 SCK Sat, 10 Dec 2011 19:12:58 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10071 We have had the same problem since installilng a new furnace a month ago. We cleaned everything out of the area where it was coming from and there was nothing moldy or musty. I then kept record of when it was most prevalent only to find it was usually when it rained. The furnace salesman told my husband he should move his wood pile so as not to surround the venting - we did make allowance for this and built the woodpile up around the venting. However, it is now considered that possibly the smell was coming from the intake pipe outside wood has a moldy odour and this was being drawn in the intake pipe on rainy days. Since moving the wood pile we HAVE NO PROBLEM. The smell is gone. We have had the same problem since installilng a new furnace a month ago. We cleaned everything out of the area where it was coming from and there was nothing moldy or musty. I then kept record of when it was most prevalent only to find it was usually when it rained. The furnace salesman told my husband he should move his wood pile so as not to surround the venting – we did make allowance for this and built the woodpile up around the venting. However, it is now considered that possibly the smell was coming from the intake pipe outside wood has a moldy odour and this was being drawn in the intake pipe on rainy days. Since moving the wood pile we HAVE NO PROBLEM. The smell is gone.

]]> By: Sara http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10061 Sara Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:05:41 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10061 I have pet rodents so I can answer your question. NO, the smell will NOT go away by itself. You need to wash the area, if it is washable that is. Rat and mouse odors can be removed easily with soap and water. Of course, since you are dealing with wild rodents you should wear gloves and a face mask while cleaning the area, to prevent from breathing in any particles they left behind (as they may carry disease). But it needs to be cleaned, otherwise it will keep smelling very ratty-like. Mice actually have a stronger odor so..maybe be glad they were rats. Any soap will do. I generally use dish soap to clean the rat cage but use bleach if you like. If you don't remove the urine it will just keep stinking. And the droppings smell, too, of course. If there are a lot of droppings in hard piles, you may need a scraper to remove the build up. The urine can also be somewhat acidic and rust through metal if left long enough. Be aware they can do nasty damage with chewing and they can have a lot of pinkies (baby rats) at an incredible pace. Rodents always need to chew because their teeth are always growing, so they gnaw on hard objects to keep the teeth trimmed. Domestic rats are very prone to colds and drafts. I don't know if wild ones are but perhaps you could use this somehow to your advantage? I realize the attic is not the best place to clean or the easiest. If soap and water is not possible, maybe try the cat spray from Drs Foster & Smith - it is made to break up cat urine smell by using enzymes. Its called CleanAway. You just spray it on the stinky surface and it does the job. It works very well. I have pet rodents so I can answer your question. NO, the smell will NOT go away by itself. You need to wash the area, if it is washable that is. Rat and mouse odors can be removed easily with soap and water. Of course, since you are dealing with wild rodents you should wear gloves and a face mask while cleaning the area, to prevent from breathing in any particles they left behind (as they may carry disease). But it needs to be cleaned, otherwise it will keep smelling very ratty-like. Mice actually have a stronger odor so..maybe be glad they were rats.

Any soap will do. I generally use dish soap to clean the rat cage but use bleach if you like. If you don’t remove the urine it will just keep stinking. And the droppings smell, too, of course. If there are a lot of droppings in hard piles, you may need a scraper to remove the build up. The urine can also be somewhat acidic and rust through metal if left long enough. Be aware they can do nasty damage with chewing and they can have a lot of pinkies (baby rats) at an incredible pace. Rodents always need to chew because their teeth are always growing, so they gnaw on hard objects to keep the teeth trimmed.

Domestic rats are very prone to colds and drafts. I don’t know if wild ones are but perhaps you could use this somehow to your advantage?

I realize the attic is not the best place to clean or the easiest. If soap and water is not possible, maybe try the cat spray from Drs Foster & Smith – it is made to break up cat urine smell by using enzymes. Its called CleanAway. You just spray it on the stinky surface and it does the job. It works very well.

]]> By: Sara http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10060 Sara Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:42:06 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10060 I sometimes notice this "paint smell" in my back hallway. Luckily, the back hallway is not used for much really and I keep the kitchen door closed most of the time. I seem to notice it the most during warm weather and it smells like it was just freshly painted, except it was painted over a year ago.... I actually think it's the PAINT itself. Like there is something wrong with it and it never dried properly, even though it feels dry to the touch. I really can't think of what else it could be. There are no ducts or anything in my back hallway - its just wood framing with some new fiberglass insulation, that wall stuff (plasterboard or whatever you call it) and paint. Since it smells like paint, I suspect the paint. I bought it at Ace. I also just found a page that confirms my idea, that Ace Latex paint can still smell even a year after painting - its at a site called painttalk - do a search for "Odor dried paint". Did you buy your paint at Ace??? Maybe something you had painted a year or so ago??? My paint odor disappears for months on end and then out of the blue the smell will return! I think the smell is related to the humidity, Maybe a cold air return is near a painted item and is collecting the odor and carrying it around your house. Perhaps try a dehumidifier? I sometimes notice this “paint smell” in my back hallway. Luckily, the back hallway is not used for much really and I keep the kitchen door closed most of the time. I seem to notice it the most during warm weather and it smells like it was just freshly painted, except it was painted over a year ago…. I actually think it’s the PAINT itself. Like there is something wrong with it and it never dried properly, even though it feels dry to the touch. I really can’t think of what else it could be. There are no ducts or anything in my back hallway – its just wood framing with some new fiberglass insulation, that wall stuff (plasterboard or whatever you call it) and paint. Since it smells like paint, I suspect the paint. I bought it at Ace. I also just found a page that confirms my idea, that Ace Latex paint can still smell even a year after painting – its at a site called painttalk – do a search for “Odor dried paint”.

Did you buy your paint at Ace??? Maybe something you had painted a year or so ago??? My paint odor disappears for months on end and then out of the blue the smell will return! I think the smell is related to the humidity, Maybe a cold air return is near a painted item and is collecting the odor and carrying it around your house. Perhaps try a dehumidifier?

]]> By: Sara http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10059 Sara Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:17:46 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10059 We have actual skunks in our neighborhood and YES, when they spray outside the smell can come inside your house very easily!! Some people can smell it better and more easily than others. To me, the skunk smells like very strong garlic odor.... to my neighbor it just smells like the most awful stench possible and to some skunk can smell like smoke from a fire. The skunk spraying outside can create powerful fumes that will make your eyes water and chase you outside for air - it does that to my neighbor. To me, it is just annoying but I think his nose is much more sensitive. If you suspect a real skunk, be sure to check around your property for holes in the ground. They will crawl down there and make nests and will keep returning and do tons of spraying. They generally come out at dusk so you can watch for it then from a window. We have actual skunks in our neighborhood and YES, when they spray outside the smell can come inside your house very easily!! Some people can smell it better and more easily than others. To me, the skunk smells like very strong garlic odor…. to my neighbor it just smells like the most awful stench possible and to some skunk can smell like smoke from a fire. The skunk spraying outside can create powerful fumes that will make your eyes water and chase you outside for air – it does that to my neighbor. To me, it is just annoying but I think his nose is much more sensitive. If you suspect a real skunk, be sure to check around your property for holes in the ground. They will crawl down there and make nests and will keep returning and do tons of spraying. They generally come out at dusk so you can watch for it then from a window.

]]> By: Dave http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-4#comment-10056 Dave Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:39:42 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10056 I have been following this web site after searching for an answer for a moldy dirt like smell was coming from only one ceiling vent in my home. It was not constant but when we did smell it - it was pretty bad. I call a reputable HVAC company and after inspection, he determined that when my 10 year old home was built, who ever sprayed the texture on the ceilings did not cover up the vents allowing the texture to harden on the vent boot. There was a blackish brown mold on several other ceiling vents as well bout we could only smell the one vent in the kitchen. I cleaned it with 50/50 water and bleach. I scrubbed the metal inside and gently brushed the actual duct as the mold was only an inch or two above the sheet metal boot. I then sprayed some Lysol mold allergen killer inside as well. I then washed the grill with my mixture and turned the furnace fan switch to on - not on heat or air just the fan itself. I was told by the HVAC guy that this would help dry off the insulation that I had to scrub also (at base of boot as I had to remove the sprayed texture as over the years the condensation settled in the overspray and it turned moldy). We thought all was well. Then it came back in about a day or so. We had decided after looking at this web site that we may simply be doomed! We discussed calling the HVAC back out as maybe I did not get it all. We turned on the heat and I took off the grill and we only smelled fresh air!! As we sat at the table in disbelief, my wife (for whatever reason) put her nose to our wood kitchen table that was right below the vent. Lo and behold she said it's the table! Long story short, our less than 1 year old wood kitchen table had been permeated by the mold spores (or dirty dust) for the while. The top of the table stunk, the backs and tops of the chairs stunk of the same smell. We used several cleaners to clean the table as not to ruin the finish. The smell is gone and my marriage is intact!! Apparently the junk just kept blowing on the table and was absorbed by the table being somewhat porous. So I would encourage anyone who has cleaned there vent and/or ducts out and the smell returned to smell any furniture whereas the vent could blow the particles on. I have been following this web site after searching for an answer for a moldy dirt like smell was coming from only one ceiling vent in my home. It was not constant but when we did smell it – it was pretty bad. I call a reputable HVAC company and after inspection, he determined that when my 10 year old home was built, who ever sprayed the texture on the ceilings did not cover up the vents allowing the texture to harden on the vent boot. There was a blackish brown mold on several other ceiling vents as well bout we could only smell the one vent in the kitchen. I cleaned it with 50/50 water and bleach. I scrubbed the metal inside and gently brushed the actual duct as the mold was only an inch or two above the sheet metal boot. I then sprayed some Lysol mold allergen killer inside as well. I then washed the grill with my mixture and turned the furnace fan switch to on – not on heat or air just the fan itself. I was told by the HVAC guy that this would help dry off the insulation that I had to scrub also (at base of boot as I had to remove the sprayed texture as over the years the condensation settled in the overspray and it turned moldy). We thought all was well. Then it came back in about a day or so. We had decided after looking at this web site that we may simply be doomed! We discussed calling the HVAC back out as maybe I did not get it all. We turned on the heat and I took off the grill and we only smelled fresh air!! As we sat at the table in disbelief, my wife (for whatever reason) put her nose to our wood kitchen table that was right below the vent. Lo and behold she said it’s the table! Long story short, our less than 1 year old wood kitchen table had been permeated by the mold spores (or dirty dust) for the while. The top of the table stunk, the backs and tops of the chairs stunk of the same smell. We used several cleaners to clean the table as not to ruin the finish. The smell is gone and my marriage is intact!! Apparently the junk just kept blowing on the table and was absorbed by the table being somewhat porous. So I would encourage anyone who has cleaned there vent and/or ducts out and the smell returned to smell any furniture whereas the vent could blow the particles on.

]]> By: pamela http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-10054 pamela Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:47:14 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10054 It only cost $49.00!!!! Call Border Air In Weslaco, TX if you are close by!!!! He also said sometimes it gets trapped in the blower and it gets hidden in there when you turn it around to look for it, so don't give up. It only cost $49.00!!!! Call Border Air In Weslaco, TX if you are close by!!!! He also said sometimes it gets trapped in the blower and it gets hidden in there when you turn it around to look for it, so don’t give up.

]]> By: pamela http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-10053 pamela Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:40:37 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10053 We had the problem of a horrendous smell of almost floral/deadanimal burning smell. We called a few air con guys and they said the mouse was in the blower when the heat turned on for the first time. It flipped it into the coil and fried it there. Sure enough. They opened it up and there it was. Tell the heater/air con guy that if you have a horrible smell that smells like something burning too. He hasn't given us the bill yet, but I'll let you know how much. We had the problem of a horrendous smell of almost floral/deadanimal burning smell. We called a few air con guys and they said the mouse was in the blower when the heat turned on for the first time. It flipped it into the coil and fried it there. Sure enough. They opened it up and there it was. Tell the heater/air con guy that if you have a horrible smell that smells like something burning too. He hasn’t given us the bill yet, but I’ll let you know how much.

]]> By: yvonne http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-10017 yvonne Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:31:48 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-10017 I am having the same problem. I was told it is called "dirty sock syndrome" and, I did find it on the internet. The a/c repair companies want a minimum of $500 to fix this. I have called several. I am having the same problem. I was told it is called “dirty sock syndrome” and, I did find it on the internet. The a/c repair companies want a minimum of $500 to fix this. I have called several.

]]> By: help single woman http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9998 help single woman Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:40:06 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9998 i tried the hot water and vinger no help still smell when i blech the floor the smell goes away only for a couple of days i tried the hot water and vinger no help still smell when i blech the floor the smell goes away only for a couple of days

]]> By: help single woman http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9997 help single woman Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:38:49 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9997 ok i have read all your posts but this is what happen to me my sewer backed up and i cleaned the floor used bleach as my basement isnt finished and it is a very old house. when my furnace comes on it smells like poop.. had the vents cleaned didnt help. i dont know what to do? im gonna try and pour hot water with vinger in my sewer drain on the floor in the basement to see if that helps. if anyone else can give me some ideas i would be very thankful. please help someone i cry everyday i cant take this smell ok i have read all your posts but this is what happen to me my sewer backed up and i cleaned the floor used bleach as my basement isnt finished and it is a very old house. when my furnace comes on it smells like poop.. had the vents cleaned didnt help. i dont know what to do? im gonna try and pour hot water with vinger in my sewer drain on the floor in the basement to see if that helps. if anyone else can give me some ideas i would be very thankful. please help someone i cry everyday i cant take this smell

]]> By: help single woman http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9995 help single woman Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:37:15 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9995 cant anyone help me please i cant stand the smell anymore i just want to run cant anyone help me please i cant stand the smell anymore i just want to run

]]> By: Anne http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9910 Anne Mon, 31 Oct 2011 03:59:43 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9910 Please Help! We have a terrible smell coming from our furnace ducts ever time the heat kicks on. We live on a slab and today we noticed you can hear water in the furnace ducts in our livingroom! Please Help! We have a terrible smell coming from our furnace ducts ever time the heat kicks on. We live on a slab and today we noticed you can hear water in the furnace ducts in our livingroom!

]]> By: anne haddad http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9909 anne haddad Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:16:23 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9909 I've had identical issues to most in thread...thought it was a dead animal and called exterminators out to investigate. It turned out to be a major crack in a 2" galvanized pipe that emptied the washing machine and kitchen. In essence, the odor was from moldy, stagnant grey water that's been pooling in our subfloor area for who knows how long. hope this helps someone! I’ve had identical issues to most in thread…thought it was a dead animal and called exterminators out to investigate. It turned out to be a major crack in a 2″ galvanized pipe that emptied the washing machine and kitchen. In essence, the odor was from moldy, stagnant grey water that’s been pooling in our subfloor area for who knows how long. hope this helps someone!

]]> By: help single woman http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9902 help single woman Sat, 29 Oct 2011 15:52:31 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9902 ok i have read all your posts but this is what happen to me my sewer backed up and i cleaned the floor used bleach as my basement isnt finished and it is a very old house. when my furnace comes on it smells like poop.. had the vents cleaned didnt help. i dont know what to do? im gonna try and pour hot water with vinger in my sewer drain on the floor in the basement to see if that helps. if anyone else can give me some ideas i would be very thankful ok i have read all your posts but this is what happen to me my sewer backed up and i cleaned the floor used bleach as my basement isnt finished and it is a very old house. when my furnace comes on it smells like poop.. had the vents cleaned didnt help. i dont know what to do? im gonna try and pour hot water with vinger in my sewer drain on the floor in the basement to see if that helps. if anyone else can give me some ideas i would be very thankful

]]> By: Amanda http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9893 Amanda Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:59:42 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9893 I also have the same problem. a 5 yr old double wide on a baaement. Never noticed the smell this summer but we also notice the smell goes away when Windows open. My father said it could be the musty smell coming up from the basement. It first started to smell only in the living room but now its in my sons room. We have bad asthma n allergies and I need to get to bottom of this asap. My basement is unfinished. We do not have ac unit but we do have furnace. Help! I also have the same problem. a 5 yr old double wide on a baaement. Never noticed the smell this summer but we also notice the smell goes away when Windows open. My father said it could be the musty smell coming up from the basement. It first started to smell only in the living room but now its in my sons room. We have bad asthma n allergies and I need to get to bottom of this asap. My basement is unfinished. We do not have ac unit but we do have furnace. Help!

]]> By: beth breen http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9887 beth breen Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:18:47 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9887 Did you find out the problem? Will you please email me? Thank you! Did you find out the problem? Will you please email me? Thank you!

]]> By: Loren http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9686 Loren Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:47:44 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9686 You may have mildew as well as rodent urine permeation. Spraying a cleaner will not solve the problem. Relocate the air supply; take care not to place it downwind from an exhaust vent (stove, dryer, toilet...) You may have mildew as well as rodent urine permeation. Spraying a cleaner will not solve the problem. Relocate the air supply; take care not to place it downwind from an exhaust vent (stove, dryer, toilet…)

]]> By: Loren http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9685 Loren Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:24:32 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9685 Is the bathroom vented? Does the fan work? Is air coming out the exhaust vent when you operate the fan? How far is the vent duct run and what type of duct is it? Condition of the insulation where the fan is located? Do you have central air or window shakers? Is the condensate pan clean? Try locating a reputable company with a thermal imaging camera who is experienced in detecting leaks. Is the bathroom vented? Does the fan work? Is air coming out the exhaust vent when you operate the fan? How far is the vent duct run and what type of duct is it? Condition of the insulation where the fan is located? Do you have central air or window shakers? Is the condensate pan clean? Try locating a reputable company with a thermal imaging camera who is experienced in detecting leaks.

]]> By: Loren http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9684 Loren Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:16:40 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9684 For the posters who have looked everywhere for the dead animal but cant find one, and the odor seems to come every time it rains or the humidity spikes...you might have some fiberglass insulation that has been wet at one time (you cannot "dry" fiberglass insulation, you must replace). Residual biological activity reactivates when there is moisture available. Check all insulation in crawl spaces, areas close to the ground, then go for windows and other areas that can leak. Your leak may be so minor that you won't see it stain an interior wall. Also mold testing is usually a waste of money. There is mold everywhere and it is not a significant health hazard to healthy people. Concentrate on finding the source of moisture and eliminating it and keep the relative humidity between 40-60%. EPA has guidelines on mold remediation. For the posters who have looked everywhere for the dead animal but cant find one, and the odor seems to come every time it rains or the humidity spikes…you might have some fiberglass insulation that has been wet at one time (you cannot “dry” fiberglass insulation, you must replace). Residual biological activity reactivates when there is moisture available. Check all insulation in crawl spaces, areas close to the ground, then go for windows and other areas that can leak. Your leak may be so minor that you won’t see it stain an interior wall.

Also mold testing is usually a waste of money. There is mold everywhere and it is not a significant health hazard to healthy people. Concentrate on finding the source of moisture and eliminating it and keep the relative humidity between 40-60%. EPA has guidelines on mold remediation.

]]> By: Debby http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9635 Debby Sun, 09 Oct 2011 05:02:19 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9635 ok, here goes. I too have a dead animal smell in my house. It's been a few weeks now. The smell is not always there, not always in the same room. Our house is less than 1 year old. My husband had disconnected every HVAC tube, we have run a snake with a towel thru the other areas, comes out dry and clean. Our house is 2 stories with a finished basement and we have 2 units. The upstairs is on one unit in the atic, the smell is only upstairs. It moves from room to room and down the stairway a little. Is usually strongest in the guest bath or our bedroom if we turn on the AC. I will try running water in all the bathrooms and drains in the basement. I was going to call Sears on Monday to have them come do the vents but after reading some of these posts I feel the $800. would be a real waste. PLEASE anyone, any more ideas. My nose and lungs burn from the smell and it makes me physically sick to go upstairs to my bedroom sometimes. It has even woken me up at 4AM. I love my new house but am afraid to have anyone over afraid the smell will happen. Both guest rooms are upstairs! I even worry that when my pet sitter comes to let our dog out during the day she might smell it by the stairs. This is awful and since we are going into winter, I can't leave the windows open. PLEASE HELP!!! ok, here goes. I too have a dead animal smell in my house. It’s been a few weeks now. The smell is not always there, not always in the same room. Our house is less than 1 year old. My husband had disconnected every HVAC tube, we have run a snake with a towel thru the other areas, comes out dry and clean. Our house is 2 stories with a finished basement and we have 2 units. The upstairs is on one unit in the atic, the smell is only upstairs. It moves from room to room and down the stairway a little. Is usually strongest in the guest bath or our bedroom if we turn on the AC. I will try running water in all the bathrooms and drains in the basement. I was going to call Sears on Monday to have them come do the vents but after reading some of these posts I feel the $800. would be a real waste. PLEASE anyone, any more ideas. My nose and lungs burn from the smell and it makes me physically sick to go upstairs to my bedroom sometimes. It has even woken me up at 4AM. I love my new house but am afraid to have anyone over afraid the smell will happen. Both guest rooms are upstairs! I even worry that when my pet sitter comes to let our dog out during the day she might smell it by the stairs. This is awful and since we are going into winter, I can’t leave the windows open. PLEASE HELP!!!

]]> By: L. Young http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9630 L. Young Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:25:06 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9630 Do you have a humidifier? They run more in the Winter... The HVAC folks would have noticed that... Do you have a humidifier? They run more in the Winter… The HVAC folks would have noticed that…

]]> By: Jim 7 Michelle http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9599 Jim 7 Michelle Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:16:23 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9599 After a couple of months of obessive searching and cleaning ducts. trying to remove spots that looked like mold, buring scented candles, we turned off the stupid electronic air cleaner and Voila! The smell was gone in 24 hours. THANK YOU!!!! After a couple of months of obessive searching and cleaning ducts. trying to remove spots that looked like mold, buring scented candles, we turned off the stupid electronic air cleaner and Voila! The smell was gone in 24 hours. THANK YOU!!!!

]]> By: stephen http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9597 stephen Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:11:39 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9597 Hi, I ended up here because of a similar problem and then discovered what my problem was - we got the carpets professionally cleaned a couple of days earlier and they left them a bit too wet so there is now a gassy/skunky moldy smell - googled this and it is all over the place. Any chance some of you happened to clean carpets before the smell happened? Hi, I ended up here because of a similar problem and then discovered what my problem was – we got the carpets professionally cleaned a couple of days earlier and they left them a bit too wet so there is now a gassy/skunky moldy smell – googled this and it is all over the place. Any chance some of you happened to clean carpets before the smell happened?

]]> By: Sandy http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9574 Sandy Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:48:41 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9574 Have this horrible sewer gas smell but all the traps have water, I monitor them soI know they are full? Did a smoke test from rooftop vent...nothing all venting is tight. Cleaned and sanatized all duct work. Homeowner started to pour Bleach down drains in shower tub and sink as an attempt to sterilzie the drains from possible bateria...Had a smell sniffer from a contractor..searched the usual places around toilet for failing wax ring, shower / tub sink drains, again Nothing...I am so puzzled and have spent far to much for this odor...I am so stumped??? This bathroom and guest room sit above a garage and below another room above, the HVAC is in closet in the Garage below. Anyone have any other ideas? Thanks Have this horrible sewer gas smell but all the traps have water, I monitor them soI know they are full? Did a smoke test from rooftop vent…nothing all venting is tight. Cleaned and sanatized all duct work. Homeowner started to pour Bleach down drains in shower tub and sink as an attempt to sterilzie the drains from possible bateria…Had a smell sniffer from a contractor..searched the usual places around toilet for failing wax ring, shower / tub sink drains, again Nothing…I am so puzzled and have spent far to much for this odor…I am so stumped??? This bathroom and guest room sit above a garage and below another room above, the HVAC is in closet in the Garage below. Anyone have any other ideas? Thanks

]]> By: susan http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9569 susan Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:17:35 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9569 I have similiar problem. Weh we turn the heat on for first time in fall there is a terrible odor, kinda musty. The odor seams to disapate after a while bu t periodically comes back. We have an electric heat pump so it is not fumes or gas we are smelling. Any suggestions? I have similiar problem. Weh we turn the heat on for first time in fall there is a terrible odor, kinda musty. The odor seams to disapate after a while bu t periodically comes back. We have an electric heat pump so it is not fumes or gas we are smelling. Any suggestions?

]]> By: Sandi http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9353 Sandi Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:56:53 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9353 Were is it and how do I turn it off Were is it and how do I turn it off

]]> By: judi http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9131 judi Wed, 20 Jul 2011 17:53:27 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9131 we had a smell that would make you throw-up. i thought something was dead under my home. It was a break in my water pipe under my home ,so every thing that went threw the sink and garbage disposal went right on threw. plumber came fixed it,no more smell we had a smell that would make you throw-up. i thought something was dead under my home. It was a break in my water pipe under my home ,so every thing that went threw the sink and garbage disposal went right on threw. plumber came fixed it,no more smell

]]> By: Teresa Ray http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-9108 Teresa Ray Sun, 17 Jul 2011 05:25:27 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-9108 HI, I too have the same problem after they replaced a crossover duct in my manufactured home. I dont know if you know about this but you can take a digital camera and put it carefully in the vent and take pictures from all sides and turn on zoom and then take some more. I found a bunch of junk and dirt and big wads of god knows what. I dont know if that id what it is but at least I have some proof that they did not use clean materials . even if the smell has nothing to do with it. The smell does smell like a spetic or maybe a dead animal we have problems with mice. But you said they cleaned the vents and atleast with the camera you can check the work they did you might be suprized, Who knows> I sure hope you find out what it is and let me know if the camera helps. HI, I too have the same problem after they replaced a crossover duct in my manufactured home. I dont know if you know about this but you can take a digital camera and put it carefully in the vent and take pictures from all sides and turn on zoom and then take some more. I found a bunch of junk and dirt and big wads of god knows what. I dont know if that id what it is but at least I have some proof that they did not use clean materials . even if the smell has nothing to do with it. The smell does smell like a spetic or maybe a dead animal we have problems with mice. But you said they cleaned the vents and atleast with the camera you can check the work they did you might be suprized, Who knows> I sure hope you find out what it is and let me know if the camera helps.

]]> By: Adam http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8982 Adam Sat, 28 May 2011 17:46:55 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8982 My wife and I bought a foreclosed house and the furnace stunk like pets and cigarettes. We cleaned the air intake compartment and sprayed bleach in it, changed the air filter, cleaned everything else we could think of that could have been causing the smell and it kept coming back. The smell was only there when the fan or heater was turned off. When we turned it on there was no smell so we knew the ducts to the rooms were okay. I finally looked at this one duct that led to the outside of the house. The duct comes out by our side garage door, where we have a bunch of garlic plants! We removed the plants and the smell in the house went away. The air from these plants was going into the air intake, through the heater, and into the house via the air intake vents! The garlic smell was probably bringing with it the pet and smoke type odors with it through the heater. We now smell nothing and can stop going crazy. Anyway, wanted to share with everyone because it takes some creative investigating to solve some of these issues with odors. Get your CSI hat on and find it! Good luck all. My wife and I bought a foreclosed house and the furnace stunk like pets and cigarettes. We cleaned the air intake compartment and sprayed bleach in it, changed the air filter, cleaned everything else we could think of that could have been causing the smell and it kept coming back. The smell was only there when the fan or heater was turned off. When we turned it on there was no smell so we knew the ducts to the rooms were okay. I finally looked at this one duct that led to the outside of the house. The duct comes out by our side garage door, where we have a bunch of garlic plants! We removed the plants and the smell in the house went away. The air from these plants was going into the air intake, through the heater, and into the house via the air intake vents! The garlic smell was probably bringing with it the pet and smoke type odors with it through the heater. We now smell nothing and can stop going crazy. Anyway, wanted to share with everyone because it takes some creative investigating to solve some of these issues with odors. Get your CSI hat on and find it! Good luck all.

]]> By: Brian http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8881 Brian Tue, 03 May 2011 20:53:50 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8881 We are having an on again/off again smell coming from our return air vents. The previous owners had a 3 season sunroom added onto the house and ran the fresh air intake hose under this porch. I can smell this odor under the porch and have put up mice/rat poison and have caught a few mice in traps. It only smells in the fall/spring. I sprayed some cleaner in the the 8" high crawl space under the porch and I am considering moving the fresh air intake so it is not under there anymore. Any ideas or suggestions? We are having an on again/off again smell coming from our return air vents. The previous owners had a 3 season sunroom added onto the house and ran the fresh air intake hose under this porch. I can smell this odor under the porch and have put up mice/rat poison and have caught a few mice in traps. It only smells in the fall/spring. I sprayed some cleaner in the the 8″ high crawl space under the porch and I am considering moving the fresh air intake so it is not under there anymore. Any ideas or suggestions?

]]> By: Shannon http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8741 Shannon Fri, 08 Apr 2011 06:01:46 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8741 I have had an ongoing problem (over a year now) with a bad smell coming from my furnace return air vent (intake vent) after the furnace shuts off. I have an old wood burning fireplace in the living room upstairs (never been used by me). The solution has been to close the old wood burning fireplace vent. Right now, I have heavy duty plastic and duck take to seal off the fireplace. I will likely need to get my hands dirty and figure out how to close the vent properly. In the mean time, this has been working wonderfully for a week. (It lacks in appearance compared to my candle display inside the fireplace) Here are the details of the problem and things I have tried. The house was built in the 1920's. It has 2 floors, no basement. The furnace room is located on the ground floor. The ground floor is fully renovated, it's not smelly and there is no laundry room. (There is a 1bdr suite that I rent out.) The furnace room is small, it hosts the furnace and hot water taken. Both are natural gas. The furnace & hot water tank are vented into the chimney. The furnace is a Sears Kenmore (not a great brand of furnace I've been told), 12-15 yrs old. This furnace has an open vent - meaning that the gas burns - air flows up - then out, but it is not sealed, you can see an opening between the vent that goes into the chimney and the furnace. This I have been informed, is by design. The smell would come and go. I would describe it as fumes, other people had different descriptions. It was a very hard smell to explain and no one (a lot of people have given me their best guesses) could figure out exactly what the smell was. 1) I had all the gas lines checked by the gas company. There were no problems. 2) I had the vents cleaned & sanitized 3) I had a chimney liner installed ($900+tax), it was initially thought that I 'might' have a negative air pressure problem, this was suppose to fix it. No change! (As it turns out I do believe I had a negative air pressure problem) 4) I already had an intake vent from the outside directly connected to the furnace intake vent (or return air line) in the furnace room. By one of the repair men: This was removed and placed beside the furnace (not connected to anything, just a pipe that runs directly into the furnace room from the outside). This actually made the problem worse. In the end, 3 different furnace repair companies could not figure it out. We were all perplexed! My Trial & Error, What made the problem better or worse. - I would open the windows downstairs (upstairs windows were closed) and it would make the problem worse. (At the time it was spring, I was painting downstairs and wanted to let it air out) - This led me to many more tests, of opening and closing things. In the end, I figured out that closing all the windows downstairs and closing the door of the furnace room, made the smell less of a problem. The more air that was allowed to enter the furnace room the worst it got. The furnace repair men all gave me a hard time about this, because the furnace needs oxygen to work correctly. I was convinced that it was a negative air pressure or air flow problem. Air would flow back out of the intake vent after the furnace shuts off and there is the smell. If I could stop the air from flowing back, the smell would go away. I finally discovered that air was flowing into the fireplace, up & out the chimney. Hold a lighter near the fireplace and the flame would bend. When I first put a plastic bag up to the fireplace, it sucked right against the skirt. Sealing the fireplace I believe has stopped the upstairs from loosing so much air, and stopped the need to suck air in from the downstairs. The smell was coming from somewhere and what exactly the smell was is still a mystery. I believe it was sucking air back in from the chimney. I have had an ongoing problem (over a year now) with a bad smell coming from my furnace return air vent (intake vent) after the furnace shuts off.

I have an old wood burning fireplace in the living room upstairs (never been used by me). The solution has been to close the old wood burning fireplace vent. Right now, I have heavy duty plastic
and duck take to seal off the fireplace. I will likely need to get my hands dirty and figure out how to close the vent properly. In the mean time, this has been working wonderfully for a week. (It lacks in appearance compared to my candle display inside the fireplace)

Here are the details of the problem and things I have tried.

The house was built in the 1920′s. It has 2 floors, no basement. The furnace room is located on the ground floor. The ground floor is fully renovated, it’s not smelly and there is no laundry room. (There is a 1bdr suite that I rent out.)

The furnace room is small, it hosts the furnace and hot water taken. Both are natural gas. The furnace & hot water tank are vented into the chimney. The furnace is a Sears Kenmore (not a great brand of furnace I’ve been told), 12-15 yrs old. This furnace has an open vent – meaning that the gas burns – air flows up – then out, but it is not sealed, you can see an opening between the vent that goes into the chimney and the furnace. This I have been informed, is by design.

The smell would come and go. I would describe it as fumes, other people had different descriptions. It was a very hard smell to explain and no one (a lot of people have given me their best guesses) could figure out exactly what the smell was.

1) I had all the gas lines checked by the gas company. There were no problems.
2) I had the vents cleaned & sanitized
3) I had a chimney liner installed ($900+tax), it was initially thought that I ‘might’ have a negative air pressure problem, this was suppose to fix it. No change! (As it turns out I do believe I had a negative air pressure problem)
4) I already had an intake vent from the outside directly connected to the furnace intake vent (or return air line) in the furnace room. By one of the repair men: This was removed and placed beside the furnace (not connected to anything, just a pipe that runs directly into the furnace room from the outside). This actually made the problem worse.

In the end, 3 different furnace repair companies could not figure it out. We were all perplexed!

My Trial & Error, What made the problem better or worse.
- I would open the windows downstairs (upstairs windows were closed) and it would make the problem worse. (At the time it was spring, I was painting downstairs and wanted to let it air out)
- This led me to many more tests, of opening and closing things. In the end, I figured out that closing all the windows downstairs and closing the door of the furnace room, made the smell less of a problem. The more air that was allowed to enter the furnace room the worst it got. The furnace repair men all gave me a hard time about this, because the furnace needs oxygen to work correctly.

I was convinced that it was a negative air pressure or air flow problem. Air would flow back out of the intake vent after the furnace shuts off and there is the smell. If I could stop the air from flowing back, the smell would go away. I finally discovered that air was flowing into the fireplace, up & out the chimney. Hold a lighter near the fireplace and the flame would bend. When I first put a plastic bag up to the fireplace, it sucked right against the skirt. Sealing the fireplace I believe has stopped the upstairs from loosing so much air, and stopped the need to suck air in from the downstairs.

The smell was coming from somewhere and what exactly the smell was is still a mystery. I believe it was sucking air back in from the chimney.

]]> By: kelly http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8726 kelly Mon, 28 Mar 2011 02:08:21 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8726 We don't have an electronic air filter my husband said. We have that same terrible odor. We built our house last year. I came home from vacation yesterday and walked in the house to this terrible odor. It is a smell like something dead or sewer. My husband poured water in the drain in the basement because we thought that might be the problem. But the smell is still here. Its been here a few days. Help! We don’t have an electronic air filter my husband said. We have that same terrible odor. We built our house last year. I came home from vacation yesterday and walked in the house to this terrible odor. It is a smell like something dead or sewer. My husband poured water in the drain in the basement because we thought that might be the problem. But the smell is still here. Its been here a few days. Help!

]]> By: John http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8722 John Sat, 26 Mar 2011 21:42:26 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8722 If you have an p trap coming off of the cooling unit in your attic, be sure it has water in it. My new sysyem has a place between the unit and the trap to add water. This keeps odors from entering the forced air area. NO MORE SMELL!! If you have an p trap coming off of the cooling unit in your attic, be sure it has water in it. My new sysyem has a place between the unit and the trap to add water. This keeps odors from entering the forced air area. NO MORE SMELL!!

]]> By: HS http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8641 HS Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:49:06 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8641 Found your site after three months of frustration dealing with a dead animal smell that ONLY happened after we used the shower in our master bathroom. I checked everything - and I mean everything including our plumber checking all pipes, etc and our electrician checking wires. The smell only happened when we we took our morning showers. Finally, tonight I rechecked all trap doors, vents and pipe surrounds and lo and behold what did I find - 2 dead mice directly under the drain pipe from our shower. I think the problem is solved since the smell was probably triggered by the hot water running over the corpses of these two little critters. If that's not the case I will repost. Otherwise adios and thanks for your help. Found your site after three months of frustration dealing with a dead animal smell that ONLY happened after we used the shower in our master bathroom. I checked everything – and I mean everything including our plumber checking all pipes, etc and our electrician checking wires. The smell only happened when we we took our morning showers. Finally, tonight I rechecked all trap doors, vents and pipe surrounds and lo and behold what did I find – 2 dead mice directly under the drain pipe from our shower. I think the problem is solved since the smell was probably triggered by the hot water running over the corpses of these two little critters. If that’s not the case I will repost. Otherwise adios and thanks for your help.

]]> By: Mama http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8600 Mama Sat, 12 Mar 2011 21:22:15 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8600 We had a high efficiency furnace installed a few weeks ago and have the same problem. Weird skunky type of smell that comes out of all the registers. It is worst in the duct (that leads ot my bedroom) that is attached right on top of the furnace/AC stack. Furnace folks say it isn't their furnace making the smell. Everyone can smell it, but nobody can say exactly what it is. I'm going nuts! We had a high efficiency furnace installed a few weeks ago and have the same problem. Weird skunky type of smell that comes out of all the registers. It is worst in the duct (that leads ot my bedroom) that is attached right on top of the furnace/AC stack. Furnace folks say it isn’t their furnace making the smell. Everyone can smell it, but nobody can say exactly what it is. I’m going nuts!

]]> By: Ed Cassada http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8598 Ed Cassada Sat, 12 Mar 2011 16:18:41 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8598 Have you had a solution. We had new gas furnace installed and since sometimes we get sicky sweet smell from input vents when furnace is running. So far no one can find problem. I'm desperate! Have you had a solution. We had new gas furnace installed and since sometimes we get sicky sweet smell from input vents when furnace is running. So far no one can find problem. I’m desperate!

]]> By: Beverly http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8593 Beverly Thu, 10 Mar 2011 03:28:06 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8593 We have a SKUNK SMELL coming from our heating vents. This has happened for about 2 months from time to time. I don't get it why it's only happening every once in a while. Our unit is electric and we do not have any gas in the house. The unit is located in the attic. I was wondering if the skunk smell could actually be a smell the unit puts off when wiring is over heating or something else with the unit. It's an over powering smell when it happens and takes days before it's gone only to happen again a week or so later. Frustrated with this smell. We have a SKUNK SMELL coming from our heating vents. This has happened for about 2 months from time to time. I don’t get it why it’s only happening every once in a while. Our unit is electric and we do not have any gas in the house. The unit is located in the attic. I was wondering if the skunk smell could actually be a smell the unit puts off when wiring is over heating or something else with the unit. It’s an over powering smell when it happens and takes days before it’s gone only to happen again a week or so later. Frustrated with this smell.

]]> By: Candice http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8568 Candice Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:35:40 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8568 We have a smell coming from our heating vents that smell like dead rodent and mildew. It was overwhelming. We had our ductwork cleaned and they found 3 dead rats. The smell went away for a while. Now it smells like rusty, mildewy (for lack of a better word) left over dead rat. It's not as bad as it was, but it's still there. We've searched, and the company that did the duct work searched to no avail. We had a water filtrated filter system instead of the regular filters which they switched over to regluar filders. They also disconnected the "non-working" humidifier from the furnace. But the smell is still there. HELP!!! We have a smell coming from our heating vents that smell like dead rodent and mildew. It was overwhelming. We had our ductwork cleaned and they found 3 dead rats. The smell went away for a while. Now it smells like rusty, mildewy (for lack of a better word) left over dead rat. It’s not as bad as it was, but it’s still there. We’ve searched, and the company that did the duct work searched to no avail. We had a water filtrated filter system instead of the regular filters which they switched over to regluar filders. They also disconnected the “non-working” humidifier from the furnace. But the smell is still there. HELP!!!

]]> By: Fran http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8548 Fran Thu, 17 Feb 2011 01:19:59 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8548 Thanks for all the suggestions. Last fall when we turned our furnace on there was a bad odor at first from the vent next to my chair in the living room. Nothing I tried helped for long then I started noticing it in other rooms too. Not a dead animal smell and not a sewer smell more like something soured, but the odor was not in the basement where the furnace is. I found this site and after reading the comments I did 2 things. First I changed the setting on our air purifier in the basement and second I poured drain cleaner in the sink and tub in the bathroom and before long the odor was gone!!! I never would have thought either would work and I imagine it was more the drains. Anyway, thank you!!! Thanks for all the suggestions. Last fall when we turned our furnace on there was a bad odor at first from the vent next to my chair in the living room. Nothing I tried helped for long then I started noticing it in other rooms too. Not a dead animal smell and not a sewer smell more like something soured, but the odor was not in the basement where the furnace is. I found this site and after reading the comments I did 2 things. First I changed the setting on our air purifier in the basement and second I poured drain cleaner in the sink and tub in the bathroom and before long the odor was gone!!! I never would have thought either would work and I imagine it was more the drains. Anyway, thank you!!!

]]> By: Corey http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8305 Corey Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:44:37 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8305 SKUNK SMELL odor in house, recommend you try the following remedy as we had the same issue for the past two weeks. We have a furnace room with a floor drain, we noticed that the smell was extremely strong in the furnace room so we smelt the floor drain and it reeked. My husband pored approximately 4 to 6 cups of water, then 4 - 5 table spoons of vegetable oil in the pee trap. (the oil prevents the water from evaporating from the pee trap). Today, came home the smell is gone from the furnace room and our house. This may or may not work for everyone's smells, but thought i would share our remedy for our solution and issue. SKUNK SMELL odor in house, recommend you try the following remedy as we had the same issue for the past two weeks. We have a furnace room with a floor drain, we noticed that the smell was extremely strong in the furnace room so we smelt the floor drain and it reeked. My husband pored approximately 4 to 6 cups of water, then 4 – 5 table spoons of vegetable oil in the pee trap. (the oil prevents the water from evaporating from the pee trap).
Today, came home the smell is gone from the furnace room and our house. This may or may not work for everyone’s smells, but thought i would share our remedy for our solution and issue.

]]> By: Sheryl http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8284 Sheryl Sun, 09 Jan 2011 01:10:03 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8284 We had a terrible smell..almost ammonia like that flared up my asthma and made me feel awful. It was much worse at night and then got better throughout the day. It turned out to be a raccoon, who was peeing and pooping and nesting. He would sleep during the day, but get active at night. Finally got rid of it and reinforced the wire vents that allowed him to get in the crawl space. We had a terrible smell..almost ammonia like that flared up my asthma and made me feel awful. It was much worse at night and then got better throughout the day. It turned out to be a raccoon, who was peeing and pooping and nesting. He would sleep during the day, but get active at night. Finally got rid of it and reinforced the wire vents that allowed him to get in the crawl space.

]]> By: Ken http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8262 Ken Tue, 04 Jan 2011 12:22:07 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8262 Did you find out what was wrong? I would say that it's the exact same thing for me. It's been happening for a few years off and on (still happening). But once that smell gets into my body, it kind of stays there. Even if I go outside then cough or exhale, I can smell it. And it happens at two houses. Same smell. Strong when the heat/ac comes on. Had ducts cleaned and furnace replace(crack in exchanger) for one of the houses, but the smell is still there. The worst part is that no one else who lives in the house seems to be affected by it, and they kind of don't even notice the smell. I've lost a lot of sleep because of this. Because I know that when I wake up, I will wake up feeling sick. In your case, does it also kind of dry out the top and back of your throat? I have a huge feeling that it has something to do with the sewer. Or it could be mold. I think sometimes our health symptoms can better tell us what it is, then we can better find the source. Hope you fix your problem soon. Did you find out what was wrong? I would say that it’s the exact same thing for me. It’s been happening for a few years off and on (still happening). But once that smell gets into my body, it kind of stays there. Even if I go outside then cough or exhale, I can smell it. And it happens at two houses. Same smell. Strong when the heat/ac comes on.
Had ducts cleaned and furnace replace(crack in exchanger) for one of the houses, but the smell is still there.
The worst part is that no one else who lives in the house seems to be affected by it, and they kind of don’t even notice the smell.
I’ve lost a lot of sleep because of this. Because I know that when I wake up, I will wake up feeling sick.
In your case, does it also kind of dry out the top and back of your throat?
I have a huge feeling that it has something to do with the sewer. Or it could be mold.

I think sometimes our health symptoms can better tell us what it is, then we can better find the source.

Hope you fix your problem soon.

]]> By: Moi http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8112 Moi Sat, 18 Dec 2010 21:44:25 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8112 Old house solution... Our dead animal smell lasted so long that I knew it had to be a large animal. There is no way for a large animal to get into the house/ductwork. In the middle of the night it struck me that there is only one place that a large dead animal could be that I couldn't see --- under the cement front porch. I dug a big hole, crawled under the edge of the stucco (goes to the ground) and there was a dead raccoon. The old air-return ducts are made with just a sheet of metal to close off the space between two floor joists. The joists extend beyond the edge of the house to support the porch outside the front door. There were some little openings, enough to let the carcass smell get sucked in when the furnace ran. Old house solution… Our dead animal smell lasted so long that I knew it had to be a large animal. There is no way for a large animal to get into the house/ductwork. In the middle of the night it struck me that there is only one place that a large dead animal could be that I couldn’t see — under the cement front porch. I dug a big hole, crawled under the edge of the stucco (goes to the ground) and there was a dead raccoon. The old air-return ducts are made with just a sheet of metal to close off the space between two floor joists. The joists extend beyond the edge of the house to support the porch outside the front door. There were some little openings, enough to let the carcass smell get sucked in when the furnace ran.

]]> By: Chad http://changelog.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting/comment-page-3#comment-8075 Chad Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:02:04 +0000 http://changelog2.complete.org/archives/262-revenge-of-the-smelly-ducting.html#comment-8075 I bet it is a dead animal. Look in areas accesible to food or holes and roof is another good place to look, but if you are turning the vent on it is pulling air from the kitchen and not pushing air into the kitchen so it is most likely pulling the smell from under oven or around there. I bet it is a dead animal. Look in areas accesible to food or holes and roof is another good place to look, but if you are turning the vent on it is pulling air from the kitchen and not pushing air into the kitchen so it is most likely pulling the smell from under oven or around there.

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