Wet wood smell in kitchen in flat./losing the will!!

[skidder]

I really am losing the will to live on this one and not sure where to turn.

I bought a flat that smelt a bit musty 6 months ago but I put this down to being empty stupidly.

Since decorating and new carpets etc I thought the smell had gone due to painting etc.

It is localised to the kitchen only which is pretty small.

I only noticed when the vinyl floor in the kitchen was being put down that it had bowed quite significantly.Anyway screwed that down and put the vinyl over.

I also had a leaking ball cock on new years eve(I moved in the middle of November) that was leaking down to the flat below.Now this travelled a LONG way in completely the wrong direction you would imagine.Also I guess there could have been a slight leak on purchase and progressively got worse but no leak was detected downstairs until I found the problem on New years.

I've lifted one floorboard up that is not covered in vinyl and there is a significant draft coming into the kitchen from the lounge.I presume this is normal?

Anyway I'm sick of coming into a smelly house(out of 10 I would give the smell a 5 on entering)and I don't know what to do.

Should I get somebody to remove all the old chipboard(not wet but has been) and access the floorboards underneath for mold etc?
I just don't really want to pull up the newly fitted kitchen/floor if not necessary.

I've pulled everything out and I can't see any damp now whatsoever.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Chris

 

[Jackrae]

First thing to do is speak to your neighbours to establish if they also have smell problems and if so for how long. It may be that the damp smell is rising up from the void space under the ground floor.

 

[skidder]

First thing to do is speak to your neighbours to establish if they also have smell problems and if so for how long. It may be that the damp smell is rising up from the void space under the ground floor.

Thanks I've checked with the neighbours and I only have 3.

No problems.

 

[foxhole]

Once wet chipboard looses integrity and should be replaced.

 

[skidder]

Once wet chipboard looses integrity and should be replaced.

Thanks for the reply.

Do you feel this is my best course of action to begin with?

 

[joe-90]

You need to look at the drainage first. That musty smell is (in my experience) always associated with bad air from the sewers. Check traps in drains, washing machine etc.

 

[skidder]

You need to look at the drainage first. That musty smell is (in my experience) always associated with bad air from the sewers. Check traps in drains, washing machine etc.

Thanks for the reply.

I've had someone round today and they have advised passive air vents in all rooms which admittedly I probably need anyway as its a small flat and air ventilation is an issue.

Personally I definitely think this is not the issue in the kitchen at least as if I leave all windows open etc for a week the smell is still there.

How would I get the drains checked?All the plumbing is new to the sink and the smell has been here from day 1.

 

[joe-90]

You need to use your nose. Put your head in cupboards, smell down the tube the washing machine empties into. Smell the sink overflow. Whatever it is is a direct pipe into the drains.

 

[skidder]

You need to use your nose. Put your head in cupboards, smell down the tube the washing machine empties into. Smell the sink overflow. Whatever it is is a direct pipe into the drains.

I honestly cannot smell anything from the plumbing.Its such a small kitchen and has no door,open planned as such.

It just smells like damp wood/musty not a sewage smell.

It hits me as soon as I walk in the front door but only the kitchen.Bathroom no issue without doubt.

As I say the Chipboard laid on top of the floorboards was maybe 2cm bowed until I screwed it down onto the joists.

 

[joe-90]

Sewers don't smell like sewage. They have a musty stale smell. A bit of wet wood wouldn't smell. Where is your washing machine?

 

[skidder]

Sewers don't smell like sewage. They have a musty stale smell. A bit of wet wood wouldn't smell. Where is your washing machine?

Hi the washing machine is next to the sink with only a cold feed.


I've just had a good look and you might be right!!

There is a lot of stale water stuck in the pipe and the smell was pretty bad when I took the sink bits to pieces.

I only use the washing machine maybe once every 3 weeks(not always here)
but the water seems to be sitting in the U tube.

My only concern is that the smell was always here and this is new plumbing but didn't smell good.

I really appreciate this Joe.What's next mate?

 

[joe-90]

Get a bit of rag and stuff it down every bit you can - especially the washer tube. If the smell subsides - you are on your way to sorting it. Forget the air vents - it'll make loads of draughts in winter.

 

[joe-90]

Oh and put a bit of bleach down everywhere you can.

 

[skidder]

Get a bit of rag and stuff it down every bit you can - especially the washer tube. If the smell subsides - you are on your way to sorting it. Forget the air vents - it'll make loads of draughts in winter.

OK thanks Joe.

So take the cold feed off the washing machine drainage and stick a rag down there.Or maybe I should just take all the piping off for the night and stick a rag in all entrances to the drain?

 

[joe-90]

Yes. The smell is coming from one of the drains. Once it's blocked off or had bleach down it the smell will go.