A lingering, bad smell in your home can be a frustrating headache to deal with ― and sometimes it could also be a sign of something more serious.
It’s important to know the difference between the everyday annoyances of rotting produce in your fridge and the hazardous odors that could be an indicator of a much deeper issue. There are some odors that are not just unpleasant, but potentially dangerous to sniff in a home. If left unchecked, these kinds of smells can lead to health risks, costly repairs and damage.
Here are the odors that home repair, plumbing and heating experts say you should never ignore:
1. Smoke
Where there is smoke, there could be fire. Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo, said if you smell smoke, you should investigate its source immediately.
“The smell of smoke, even when you’re not cooking or burning anything, could indicate a fire hazard hidden within walls or in the attic, or nearby the exterior of the home,” she said.
2. Rotten Egg Smell In The Air
“Natural gas is odorless, so utility companies add a sulfur-like or rotten egg smell to alert you of a gas leak,” Klosterman said.
So if you’re smelling rotten egg smell in the air of your home, that’s a serious concern. Natural gas leaks can lead to explosions or poisoning. If you detect this smell, turn off the gas if you can do so safely, and call your gas company immediately.
Philadelphia-based plumber Kelly Ireland recommends having a gas leak detector on hand so that you can check if it is a foul grease smell or a gas leak smell.