I’ve got a place that releases the worst smell imaginable, but only when it rains or when snow melts. The smell comes from the basement and I thought it was the usual suspects i.e. dry floor drains, clogged stink pipe, etc. Checked all those, everything was fine. After a rain or melted snow there is an awful smell in the basement and after a few days it goes away with the rain.
I can’t figure out if maybe the stormwater drains are connected to the footer drains and it’s causing some sort of pressure buildup or what. I really have zero idea what’s going on in this place and I’m hoping someone has experienced this and can give me an idea how to remedy. I’m usually pretty good troubleshooting and fixing problems but I am completely clueless here. Thanks.
jbaldwin,
Looks like no one else has any experience with smelly basements, so here goes:
I would first have your plumber look it over for faulty clogged vents, etc. Plumbers have a lot of experience with bad smells.
We had an experience a couple of years ago where a duplex tenant called and said, “There is a horrible gas smell and we’re going to a hotel!” We called the gas company and city inspector; they inspected, agreed that it was unbearable, but not gas. The tenants packed their suitcases and hightailed it.
We called the plumber, who said, “Smells like a dead body…”. He crawled under the duplex with a light and saw a dead skunk in a far distant corner.
The plumber said, “All the smell will be gone in four days.” And it was. He is now our CSI agent of plumbers.
Are you sure that the previous tenant’s dog is not buried in that basement? Can you seal the walls if dirt odor is coming through?
Furnishedowner
Could be:
Pipes
Wood Rot
Dead Animal
Mold