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What do do with a stinky house!

By Will Hamm

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Hamm Homes

December 03, 2024 12:08 PM

Planning to host guests over the holidays? You need these tips to get your house smelling its freshest!

#1: Take Out the Trash
The first piece of advice we’ll discuss today might be the most obvious one, but garbage stinks! Whether from the kitchen’s standing trash can, from the drain, or the garbage disposal, food residue can emit an odor more quickly than some might realize. Depending what you’re cooking, most households will benefit from taking out the trash daily (whether your garbage bag is full or not).

#2: Air Out New Furniture
Although this tip may be more well-known today, many homeowners are still frequently caught off guard by the strange chemical smells that can sometimes fill their homes after purchasing new furniture. During a process most commonly known as “off-gassing,” new furniture can offload volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into houses that may persist long after they have fully aired out. VOCs are not only unpleasant to smell, they can also have adverse health effects such as headaches and respiratory illnesses.

#3: Manage Sources of Moisture
We’ve said it plenty of times before, but the top concern and source of problems for every building is water. As we talk about unwanted smells in the home, unregulated water usage once again rears its head with musty odor developing anywhere that moisture accumulates. The most common places for mold growth are attics, showers, window sills, ducts, vents, chimneys, and fireplaces. You’ll also want to check under the sinks and inspect any houseplants.

#4: Practice Pest Prevention
Pests can create all sorts of unwanted smells throughout the home, and can be the answer for odors whose origin are more difficult to locate. Whether wood-destroying insects have found their way within the walls or an animal has made a nest in your attic or crawl space, it’s important to contact an exterminator or animal control professional quickly.

#5: Watch Out for Rotten Eggs
Homeowners who detect a strong odor that is similar to rotten eggs should quickly vacate the premises and either call their local utilities company or 911, because this is a sign of a gas leak. Many home systems and appliances rely on natural gas to function and leaks can turn into a fire simply from turning on a light or starting the car.

Natural gas is normally colorless and odorless, so the rotten egg smell is actually a measure intentionally added by utility companies so that homeowners can detect and act on leaks quickly. With that said, it may be important to point out that natural gasses which aren’t supplied by a utility company (like radon gas) can linger within homes and cause adverse health effects overtime.

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Hannah Williams

HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA

Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Will Hamm It is very important as people do not like stinky houses

Dec 03, 2024 04:28 PM

John Pusa

Glendale, CA

Hello Will Hamm very valuable report for what to do with a stinky house.

Dec 03, 2024 04:56 PM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Will,

I had to chuckle at your title! it actually is a good description of a house that smells! LOL! Good tips to help make a house smell fresh!

Dec 03, 2024 05:38 PM

Kathy Streib

Cypress, TX

Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Will- You've shared some excellent tips to help rid a home of smells.

Dec 03, 2024 05:40 PM

Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI

HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Well the first thing may be to take a bath, eliminating that as the first culprit. Second wash the clothes you have worn and have placed on the "chairdrobe".

Dec 03, 2024 05:54 PM

Ralph Gorgoglione

Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA

California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

I suppose it depends on what it's stinking of: smoke? fish? feet? mold? dead bodies?

Dec 03, 2024 06:15 PM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Well all I can say is I am grateful I have a bad nose and when we go look at properties we smile because my clients know I can not smell the stinky stuff:)Endre

Dec 03, 2024 09:08 PM

Richard Weeks

Dallas, TX

REALTOR®, Broker

Great information, thanks for sharing. I hope you have a great day.

Dec 04, 2024 03:04 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Will - common sense advice for some scents that can be found around the house. When practiced regularly, home maintenance may not be overwhelming.

Dec 04, 2024 03:12 AM

Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

A house that stinks will never get top-dollar from prospective buyers, that is a fact, haha.

Dec 04, 2024 04:33 AM

Kat Palmiotti

eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT

Helping your Montana dreams take root

I would also add that they should have an objective person come into the home and see if they notice any smells. Sometimes homeowners are just used to how it smells!

Dec 04, 2024 05:13 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Nobody wants to visit a stinky house.

These are good tips to share.

Dec 04, 2024 01:06 PM

What do do with a stinky house!

Comments(12)

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