Kitchen odour driving me crazy!

[spud1962]

I'm being driven crazy by a smell coming into my kitchen extension.

The "rancid" sort of smell like a dried up old mop or dirty dishcloth that has been stagnating.

The smell is strongest along the inside of the outside wall, but it does not smell outside.

i've checked the outside gully/drain (from the kitchen) ...no smell.
I've released the traps under the sink... no smell.
I've checked all the draws and cabinets.. no rotting food..no smell.
No smell coming up from the sink outlet
no smell coming up from the waste disposal unit.

I've checked underneath cabinets, no pools of water or fallen food etc.

The dishwasher has been cleaned with a detergent... no smell coming out
from inside the machine. No smell from the waste outlet. The filter has also been checked and cleaned.
I have NOT ruled out that the smell might be coming from OUTSIDE the
dishwasher itself bearing in mind it is close to where the odour is strongest.


The kitchen floor is of solid concrete construction which has been tiled.

When i put my nose the floor nearest to the outside wall there is a definite "odour" wafting about but
I just can't pinpoint it.

I know the sewer pipe runs directly alongside the outside wall of the extension.
Is it feasible that the smell could be coming from a broken sewerpipe and permeating
through the foundations through solid brick and concrete?

 

[Fluffster]

Unfortunately your last idea could be right.
I am amazed at how some drains can permeate solid floors.
However the dpm should prevent this unless you have a break in it somewhere.
A cctv survey in the drain pipe could be your next option.

However dishwashers are reknowned for being a bit whiffy have you cleaned all the filters out? can you physically remove it from the area and then test for the smell.

Good luck
Pete

 

[spud1962]

Fluffster: Thanks for your comments!

 

[noseall]

our d/w can pong from time to time too.

 

[anobium]

I had something similar a few months back. God what a smell that came and went frequently.
Like you checked everything , even got ready to lift up floors, then one day realised that the smell coincided with the washing machine being on.
Cut a long story short after checking with manufacturer it turned out to be the washer.
Apparently new washers now run on lower temperatures and this leads to build up of detergents in the machine.
All machines vary but ours a Neff has a special cycle which you use to get rid of this build up.
We have not had any problems since.
Worth checking.
PS Sorry not a Neff, its a Bosch washing machine.

 

[spud1962]

anobium: Thanks for your input.

ruled out the washing machine now!.


Since my last post I have used a core drill to drill
out a small section of the inner wall into the cavity.
There is a definate whiff coming from it.

On the other side of the wall (outside) about 3ft (..ish) underground
is the sewerpipe (no coinsidence that it smells). Now I have
to guess which slabs to lift up and get digging

Anyone know know what the going rate is (in Leicester)
for digging up pipework

 

[kinhell]

Check your insurance policy as it may be covered and they can do the work. Your local coincil will have a drains dept and usually send somone out if you ask. If its an old enough drain they will get it checked for you. But if its a post war house then its your problem. Get a camera run down and they'll tell you exactly how far down the pipe any damage has occured.