Strange smell in kitchen

Gaia2014

I was wondering if somebody could shed some light on this perplexing problem I have.

Long story short, for the past couple of days I have noticed a gassy (almost petrol like) smell in my kitchen when I come home from work (I keep the door shut during the day). This has coincided with my yearly gas safety check,which has passed.

I arranged for this to be checked again (because of the smell and concerned about gas leak etc). There is no gas leak and everything is working as it should, although I am having to turn the boiler on and off manually because I'm waiting for a new part to be replaced. Apparently this is not an issue.

So, if it's not my boiler. Any idea what else could emanate a similar smell? I've considered that the drains might be blocked. But, there is no evidence of this. Also, the smell disappears once the door has been left open and it is never there first thing in the morning after the kitchen door has been shut all night.

Any suggestions or similar experiences out there? I'm baffled...:eek:

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Gaia2014 wrote: »

I was wondering if somebody could shed some light on this perplexing problem I have.

Long story short, for the past couple of days I have noticed a gassy (almost petrol like) smell in my kitchen when I come home from work (I keep the door shut during the day). This has coincided with my yearly gas safety check,which has passed.

I arranged for this to be checked again (because of the smell and concerned about gas leak etc). There is no gas leak and everything is working as it should, although I am having to turn the boiler on and off manually because I'm waiting for a new part to be replaced. Apparently this is not an issue.

So, if it's not my boiler. Any idea what else could emanate a similar smell? I've considered that the drains might be blocked. But, there is no evidence of this. Also, the smell disappears once the door has been left open and it is never there first thing in the morning after the kitchen door has been shut all night.

Any suggestions or similar experiences out there? I'm baffled...:eek:

http://www2.nationalgrid.com/uk/safety/

Call 0800 111 999.

Gaia2014

Thank you. The smell has gone now (since opening the kitchen door). The boiler was checked Monday and Tuesday this week by two different gas safety engineers. The fact that smell has gone (and the boiler is now on) suggests it is perhaps something else... Surely I would still be able to smell it if there was a leak?? I should probably call British Gas. But, the boiler and oven has been checked twice in two days. I watched the second one being carried out. Is it possible the smell is coming from the kitchen sink or a neighbours flat? Has anybody had a similar experience?

fat-pudding

We once had a very very small leak on our cooker. It was enough to say "do you smell gas?" every few days when walking into the kitchen but was not noticeable and dissipated almost immediately.

We got the gas safety people out who condemned the 5 month old cooker the same day as it was leaking an almost imperceptible amount of gas and got a free replacement from the manufacturer.

Gaia2014

The oven was checked yesterday too by the gas safety engineer. No leak detected there either.
I live in close proximity to a restaurant and other flats/houses so I'm wondering if they have anything to do with it because periodically my flat also attracts food smells even thought the windows are closed. It's a very small flat so hardly surprising really. I will see how it goes over the next 24 hours and demand that it is investigated by my landlord/property company. The trouble is the smell has dissipated when they come around so they don't know what I'm referring to. Especially because the safety check has been passed even though the boiler has a faulty divert valve and fan. Happy days!

fat-pudding

Call the gas emergency number that was already given, it's free for them to come and investigate.

If there is a leak they will say so and condemn the appliance meaning it can't be used until repaired by an engineer. If you do it this way it will force the landlord to resolve the problem if one exists.

C_Mababejive

It wont hurt to have it checked again but by the gas emergency service 0800 111 999.

What equipment did the GSRs have to check for leakage?

The other point is that GSRs do not really concern themselves with possible leaks emanating from services,mains or network which could be entering the property

teddysmum

Could you get the gas emergency service to check the adjoining premises ?


There used to be a promotion advising you to call them , should you smell gas outside a building.


Also, could you have someone else come round and sniff, at a prearranged time before the smell disappears ? Some smells can confuse the senses, so one seems to be something else.


eg I am using a vanilla scented candle and occasionally, momentarily forget and think I can smell white chocolate .

JRT404

It's definitely worth checking. I got the smell in my house checked out and it was indeed a gas leak!

Gaia2014

Thanks for all of the replies. It's strange, the smell doesn't seem so bad today. In fact I think it's gone. I've been experimenting a little by not using the boiler one morning and using it the next. I expected the latter to result in a smell upon opening the kitchen door at the end of the the day, as earlier in the week. But, I couldn't smell anything today.

I live near a wood burning stove shop, which emits smoke during the day and also a couple of restaurants. I'm now wondering whether smells from outside are entering my property. The restaurant has what sound like a generator at the back, which also happens to be near my flat...

Due to the fact that the smell seems to have gone from the kitchen I don't think I will call the gas people. Bearing in mind it's been checked twice this week by two separate gas safety engineers with all the usual equipment. I watched the second engineer carry out various tests, including the drop test, which apparently is used to detect a gas leak. I should be reassured by two checks surely. I won't hesitate to call British Gas if the smell returns though... Hopefully, all is well.

Poppy9

As you live in a flat do you have a neighbour enjoy some weed?