That old house smell - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

willworkforbeer · 05-16-2009, 02:37 PM

Any product out there to put in crawlspace etc that gets rid of it? Just bought an old fixer-upper, crawlspace is dry now but there is rot here and there, just getting the nasty out of the house for now.

MALCO.New.York · 05-16-2009, 02:52 PM

Camphor and/or Sodium Bicarbonate should help.

Thymol if you can get it in quantity.

" The Ancient Egyptians used thymol and carvacrol in the form of a preparation from the thyme plant (a member of the mint family), because of their ability to conserve mummies. Thymol and carvacrol are now known to kill bacteria
fungi, and having made thyme well suited for such purposes. "

WIKI

willworkforbeer · 05-16-2009, 03:06 PM

Thanks, I guess I'll get some Costco size boxes of baking soda and go nuts.

**framerman** · 05-16-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willworkforbeer

Any product out there to put in crawlspace etc that gets rid of it? Just bought an old fixer-upper, crawlspace is dry now but there is rot here and there, just getting the nasty out of the house for now.

That's cat pee you smell.

WarnerConstInc. · 05-16-2009, 08:13 PM

I always thought the old house smell, smelled like money.

ampman · 05-18-2009, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

Camphor and/or Sodium Bicarbonate should help.

Thymol if you can get it in quantity.

" The Ancient Egyptians used thymol and carvacrol in the form of a preparation from the thyme plant (a member of the mint family), because of their ability to conserve mummies. Thymol and carvacrol are now known to kill bacteria
fungi, and having made thyme well suited for such purposes. "

WIKI

conserve a mummy???

willworkforbeer · 05-18-2009, 09:42 AM

I guess I should have titled this thread, how much would it cost to get rid of old house smell.

naptown CR · 05-18-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willworkforbeer

I guess I should have titled this thread, how much would it cost to get rid of old house smell.

treefiddy

strathd · 05-18-2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willworkforbeer

I guess I should have titled this thread, how much would it cost to get rid of old house smell.

Do it! do it! do it!

unhique · 05-28-2009, 11:51 PM

Hello everyone.

First off, thank you for all the info I've learned from this forum. I've spent the last 2 weeks just to read, read, & read, and still reading. So much useful info.

Back to the old house smell. I'm actually living in one right now. I just bought it (60 years old) 5 months back. Moved in 4 months ago (no choice but).

The house has concrete slab, no attic. Just that old style 2x ceiling lumbers, with thick composite plywood top (1 1/2" I think). Then rolled asphalt roof.

I think the house had leaks before since I saw a lot of water streaks from the ceiling when I bought it. But they just covered it up with one layer of new roofing cement to make it looked like newly done.

So here's the problem: I didn't notice the bad smell until I've moved in about 1 week. When it's sunny, it's even worse. I tried to cover the ceiling with sheetrock (in 2 bedrooms of out 3). Still have the garage, master bed, & living/family/kitchen as is. ==> still smells bad. It smells like ... dryrot or mold or something.

The question is: is there any other solution to cure this other than sheetrocking the whole house (which may not work)? Is there any device I can buy to test to see if the air is contaminated with lead/abesto (I have a 2 months old boy)? (I take classes & certify in lead/asbestos abatement in near future if possible, so new equipment could help prepared).

Sorry for the lenghthy post. Thank you in advance for any help.

Nhi

Crock · 05-28-2009, 11:57 PM

wet insulation from leaks. backside of rock prolly festering with active mold

unhique · 05-29-2009, 12:16 AM

I know a neighbor of mine took the whole roof out & redid his plywood & shingle & stuff. Economy is down now. I don't plan to do any major remodel until 2 years up (so I can maybe sell it without capitol gain tax) or when the house price picks up again.

So, any remedy tips?

THank you.

unhique · 05-31-2009, 08:18 PM

I think I'm gonna try to just sheetrock the rest of the rooms, including my garage. The smell's so bad I can't stand it any more. Hopefully that'll fix the problem.

I probably try to attach some pictures up to see if anyone here has some experience dealing with the same situation before.

Thank you.

Nhi

unhique · 05-31-2009, 08:29 PM

Sorry, just trying to get 15 posts.

unhique · 05-31-2009, 09:59 PM

Here's my ceiling. First is living room's. Second is garage's. Smell so bad.

willworkforbeer · 06-01-2009, 03:38 PM

I threw a bunch of baking soda under the house and keep the utility door closed, no smell!!

CScalf · 06-01-2009, 05:22 PM

a friend of mine does pest control and uses a product called "odor bags" I used one it works great.
you can get them at cleartheair.com

unhique · 06-01-2009, 10:32 PM

Thank you.

This house has concrete slab.

I'll try both to see what's going on.

nEighter · 06-02-2009, 12:54 AM

keep your windows/doors open as much as possible. Other than that, replace the bad, seal up the leaks and go foward. Bout all I can say.

Winchester · 06-02-2009, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unhique

I think I'm gonna try to just sheetrock the rest of the rooms, including my garage. The smell's so bad I can't stand it any more. Hopefully that'll fix the problem.

I probably try to attach some pictures up to see if anyone here has some experience dealing with the same situation before.

Thank you.

Nhi

I hope you don't mean sheetrock over everything without fixing the problem?