How to identify smell coming through gaps in floorboards

Lions_john

mi-key said:

Have you checked the house didn't used to belong to Dennis Nilsen ? 

Lol. Imagine that

Lions_john

markin said:

The patio should never have been raised, What is the actual level below the joists?

Indeed. The air bricks are generally above the patio as it's around the new build extension..but I noticed that one in the older part of the house is recessed...this brick feeds into the lounge

Thr level below the joists is a good half metre (estimating as am not at home for a while)

Lions_john

Eldi_Dos said:

If you still can lift the floorboards,get a small garden trowel and dig down into the solum and see if it is dry under the layer of dust you usually get under there.

If you can see the rear of air bricks while you have floorboards up is there a build up of debris behind and below air bricks.With the age of house I would imagine there will be if it has never been cleared out. This material can sometimes smell like damp soot in certain weather conditions.

I always think a experienced joiner is a good start for advice about smells coming from under floor, they can develop a nose for what smell indicates what problem.

If you have a distrust of trades best not to show it when they are there to help you.

EDIT.
 And the most obvious one, have the pipes etc checked by a gas engineer or the gas board.

Thanks for this. I'm away for a few days..but will follow your suggestions and report back

Re trades. If course. I really just meant a general distrust of calling random ones out for a difficult to explain issue...rather than tarring everyone with a brush!