Strong musty smell - what to do next?

boots_babe

Hi,

My parents have been complaining for probably over 6 months now, of a musty smell in their house. The smell is worse when they have been away for a while at their caravan and return to the house.

When they bought the house a couple of years ago the survey showed damp issues, and they had a damp proof company come in and do a chemical damp proof course for them.

When the musty smell appeared they had the damp proof company back to check the levels, but they say all is fine.

They have also twice had plumbers out to check for any plumbing or drainage issues, and nothing has been found.

They're both really fed up and I'm not sure what to suggest next. The smell has got even worse over the last month or so.

Would it be worth getting a general builder in to look? Or is there a better option?

Many thanks.

MovingForwards

Have they aired their home after being away?

When houses are left unoccupied they do tend to smell musty and have a cold feel.

Aside from that go around sniffing carpets, furniture and try to pinpoint where it's coming from.

boots_babe

Yes they've left windows open for days to try to help. It's not just a 'normal' closed up smell, and it didn't used to smell like this so something has changed somewhere.

They've tried pinpointing but apart from being strongest in the hall they can't tell any more than that.

What trade would be most sensible to turn to next?

MovingForwards

If you think it's coming from the hall see if there is a leak in the porch, radiators, door, window; touch / smell everything.

I wouldn't recommend a trader until you know where the problem is coming from.

greyteam1959

Do they have a void under the floor ??
Might be worth having a look under the floor if they have.
Could be water / damp timber.

keith969

I'd be checking for dry rot.

frozen_wastes

I had a musty smell in the corner of the bedroom that I only noticed when the carpet was pulled up so that I could access a hatch. Like you I had it for 6 months, and couldn't pin point it. The subfloor area was dry and not smelling of anything particular. Then one day I put my nose to the wall and sure enough there wasn't a musty smell, it was much more pungent - it was mould I was smelling.

Behind that wall was my shower enclosure. It was easy to guess what had happened and sure enough when I removed a tile in the enclosure I was greeted with a rotten horror show! (actually there was no rot, it was black mould on the plasterboard and plywood - the framing was OK).

The rest of the story is yet to play out to it's final conclusion, but we're talking about a full shower demolition and rebuild job. All because a very small detailing with the sealant was missing.

So my advice to you is to smell the walls surrounding any shower enclosures in your house, that could be the source of your trouble.

boots_babe

MovingForwards wrote: »

If you think it's coming from the hall see if there is a leak in the porch, radiators, door, window; touch / smell everything.

I wouldn't recommend a trader until you know where the problem is coming from.

They've already checked everything they can think of, plus the 2 plumbers they've had in have done the same from that angle.

They have no idea where it is emanating from, that's why I'm stumped as to who they could get in that may be able to help to pinpoint the root cause.

boots_babe

greyteam1959 wrote: »

Do they have a void under the floor ??
Might be worth having a look under the floor if they have.
Could be water / damp timber.

Not sure re the void but that is something to check, thank you.

boots_babe

keith969 wrote: »

I'd be checking for dry rot.

Good suggestion thank you.

naf123

boots_babe wrote: »

They've already checked everything they can think of, plus the 2 plumbers they've had in have done the same from that angle.

They have no idea where it is emanating from, that's why I'm stumped as to who they could get in that may be able to help to pinpoint the root cause.

did they check with a damp meter? Obviously the highest reading from a damp meter will give clues to the source.

you can buy one yourself online - or a cheap one from Toolstation