What's the Musty Smell in My Living Room?

VJsmum

charlies-aunt wrote: »

I'd agree with this having lived for quite a few years in an old terraced house - when we had to have some foorboards replaced - we found that the void under the wooden floors was suprisingly deep in some of the rooms and had been used to dump large broken window panes (maybe broken during bombing in WW2?)

Is it possible to lift a couple of floorboards up and take a look at what lies beneath? In some areas, heavy rains can cause water infiltration into the underfloor void - it will sit there for quite a while before it slowly seeps away - or - you could have a leaking water pipe under there creating mischief.

Check the external walls for cracks in the mortar between the bricks - these can allow water penetration which can run down inside the cavity and create dampness

I'd agree too - all suspended floors should have ventilation and much of it can get blocked (as someone here has said). It probably is worth a look.

dogstarheaven

OH is now back after a week away from work, so i'll see if i can ask him (nicely) if he wouldn't mind lifting up a board or two.. can't imagine he'll be enthused by it tho'!

System

About two months ago there was this horrible smell in my living room. Despite airing the room each day and vacuuming twice daily (because of the dog hairs) it wouldnt go. I sniffed the dogs, the dogs actually smelt quite nice when i burried my head in their fur, their teeth were checked a few weeks previously when they had their booster injections and the vet said they were fine but i must admit their breath didnt smell very pleasant. The furniture was moved, vacuumed under and the carpet was cleaned before the furniture went back. A week later, the furniture was moved again and i cleaned the carpet again but the smell remained. It had to be the dogs.

Despite being on a decent dried complete dog food they are now given a desertspoon of fat free natural yogurt (probiotics) and they have lovely sweet smelling breath now and the horrible smell in my living room has now gone.

PixieDust

*is off to feed live yoghurt to her malodorous yet healthy mutt*

System

PixieDust wrote: »

*is off to feed live yoghurt to her malodorous yet healthy mutt*

Its good for the bowels too. I dont feel like hurling half as much as i did before.