That Old House Smell

 
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Old 05-16-2009, 03:37 PM   #1
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That Old House Smell


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.

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Old 05-16-2009, 03:52 PM   #2
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Re: That Old House Smell


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. "

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Last edited by MALCO.New.York; 05-16-2009 at 09:22 PM.
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Old 05-16-2009, 04:06 PM   #3
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Re: That Old House Smell


Thanks, I guess I'll get some Costco size boxes of baking soda and go nuts.
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Old 05-16-2009, 08:39 PM   #4
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Re: That Old House Smell


Quote:
Originally Posted by willworkforbeer View Post
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.
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Old 05-16-2009, 09:13 PM   #5
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Re: That Old House Smell


I always thought the old house smell, smelled like money.
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Old 05-18-2009, 07:44 AM   #6
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Re: That Old House Smell


Quote:
Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York View Post
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???
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Old 05-18-2009, 10:42 AM   #7
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Re: That Old House Smell


I guess I should have titled this thread, how much would it cost to get rid of old house smell.
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Old 05-18-2009, 11:01 AM   #8
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Re: That Old House Smell


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I guess I should have titled this thread, how much would it cost to get rid of old house smell.
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Old 05-18-2009, 11:01 AM   #9
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Re: That Old House Smell


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I guess I should have titled this thread, how much would it cost to get rid of old house smell.
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Old 05-29-2009, 12:51 AM   #10
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Re: That Old House Smell


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

Last edited by unhique; 05-29-2009 at 01:33 AM.
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Old 05-29-2009, 12:57 AM   #11
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Re: That Old House Smell


wet insulation from leaks. backside of rock prolly festering with active mold
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Old 05-29-2009, 01:16 AM   #12
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Re: That Old House Smell


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.
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Old 05-31-2009, 09:18 PM   #13
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Re: That Old House Smell


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
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Old 05-31-2009, 09:29 PM   #14
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Re: That Old House Smell


Sorry, just trying to get 15 posts.
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Old 05-31-2009, 10:59 PM   #15
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Re: That Old House Smell


Here's my ceiling. First is living room's. Second is garage's. Smell so bad.
Attached Thumbnails
That old house smell-ceiling1.jpg   That old house smell-ceiling2.jpg  
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Old 06-01-2009, 04:38 PM   #16
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Re: That Old House Smell


I threw a bunch of baking soda under the house and keep the utility door closed, no smell!!
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Old 06-01-2009, 06:22 PM   #17
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Re: That Old House Smell


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


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Old 06-01-2009, 11:32 PM   #18
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Re: That Old House Smell


Thank you.

This house has concrete slab.

I'll try both to see what's going on.
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Old 06-02-2009, 01:54 AM   #19
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Re: That Old House Smell


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.
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Old 06-02-2009, 04:06 AM   #20
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Re: That Old House Smell


Quote:
Originally Posted by unhique View Post
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?
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