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Science and technology have greatly advanced and continue to do so daily. One natural element they cannot seem to emulate or become better than is our nose. This simple albeit delicate part of our bodies is known to be more sensitive than the most sophisticated scientific equipment. And a strong sense of smell is very handy around the home. The earlier you can sniff out any suspicious scents, the easier it is for you and your household to manage the source of the problem and avoid potential danger. Here are some odors you can look out for and what to do when you notice them.
- Natural gas
Natural gas or cooking gas is one of the major causes of home disasters, and this is because naturally, this gas comes with no distinct smell. Gas companies know this, so they created a solution: mixing natural gas with a chemical known as mercaptan. This is a chemical with a smell that can be likened to a rotten egg. Translating this into home disasters, if you smell anything remotely close to rotten eggs in your home, it could mean you’re experiencing a gas leak. An untreated gas leak can lead to a fire or, even worse, an explosion in your home. When you detect such a smell, evacuate everyone from home and contact your gas company.
- Gross bathroom odor
Every home has a bathroom. These are spaces we go to relieve and freshen ourselves at different times of the day. Having a bathroom doesn’t mean your entire home needs to smell like a waste treatment plant. The moment you recognize such a smell, it could mean there’s an issue with your swerve. Gross bathroom smells could mean a sewer gas leak in your home. This gas is potentially explosive, just like natural gas in our kitchen. It contains toxic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, which can cause unconsciousness and eye irritation, and methane, a chemical known to cause asphyxiation.
To take care of this smell, pour a cup of water down your bathroom drain and a teaspoon of vegetable oil. The oil is to prevent the water poured from evaporating. If this doesn’t work, your next best bet will be to call a plumber or home inspector to investigate and give a diagnosis.
- Musty smell in your home
Musty smells are mostly pungent and have a high chance of causing respiratory issues such as allergies and asthma. Identifying a musty or pungent odor in your home could mean you’re experiencing issues with your pipes and sink. It could mean your sink is leaking or your pipes are experiencing some form of breakage. In addition to musty smells, you might come across moldy and damp areas within your home. In the event of mold presence, it is advised that you disinfect your non-porous surfaces with a mixture of bleach and water solution. After applying this mixture, please leave it to sit for up to 10 minutes before rinsing.
If there’s no mold, it could mean a more serious issue is occurring, which will require the service of a home inspector. In some cases, you might have a pest issue that’s generating these smells. Skunks, for example, give off offensive, musty smells that can only be eradicated when they are removed. To solve such an issue, you will have to employ the services of a skunk removal service.
Remember, your nose has the superpower of identifying potentially dangerous occurrences; thus, you must put it to good use within your home. Don’t miss these signs, and never put off asking for professional help whenever you’re uncertain.
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