Old people smells or dry rot...
Discussion
I've looked at a 1934 house which is a probate where I believe the guy passed away about 3 months ago. It smells, a mixture of a bit of piss and a bit of old person to be honest! It's not a particularly muchroomy smell. I've lifted a few carpets and teh floorboards are very solid.
Is there a chance it might be dry rot and are there any checks I can do myself to give me an idea?
The structure and roof are good, so I can't see any sign of where water might have got in and there are no damp patches or damp marks on any of the walls.
Is there a chance it might be dry rot and are there any checks I can do myself to give me an idea?
The structure and roof are good, so I can't see any sign of where water might have got in and there are no damp patches or damp marks on any of the walls.
How bad is the smell? I currently live in a 30s house (also probate and not lived in properly for a year or two) and i had to leave the windows open for a few months to get rid of the stale odour. The kitchen sink seemed to be the worse offender - washing up everyday and lots of detergent seemed to sort that - and don't ask about the bathroom - when they removed the toilet i nearly fainted.
Suggestions:- a) Shake 'n' Vac + Hoover b) New Bathroom c) New Kitchen
Edited by fido on Tuesday 23 March 15:58
I've been is far worse smelling houses and indeed whilst it's noticable and not pleasant, ,y nose had adjusted enough to not notice it after a minute.
The kitchen and bathroom are very old and tired/knackered. No signs of any damp or leaking, externally the roof is original (so 75 years old) but intact and there are no signs of gutter leaks etc down the walls.
I'd expect a house that had been inhabited by an elderley chap living alone to be a bit smelly, especially when it's been empty for 3 months, but unsure how to tell if it's more than just this and there is dry rot.
The kitchen and bathroom are very old and tired/knackered. No signs of any damp or leaking, externally the roof is original (so 75 years old) but intact and there are no signs of gutter leaks etc down the walls.
I'd expect a house that had been inhabited by an elderley chap living alone to be a bit smelly, especially when it's been empty for 3 months, but unsure how to tell if it's more than just this and there is dry rot.
Sarah_W said:
I've been is far worse smelling houses and indeed whilst it's noticable and not pleasant, ,y nose had adjusted enough to not notice it after a minute.
The kitchen and bathroom are very old and tired/knackered. No signs of any damp or leaking, externally the roof is original (so 75 years old) but intact and there are no signs of gutter leaks etc down the walls.
I'd expect a house that had been inhabited by an elderley chap living alone to be a bit smelly, especially when it's been empty for 3 months, but unsure how to tell if it's more than just this and there is dry rot.
If you cant tell seek proffesional advice! The kitchen and bathroom are very old and tired/knackered. No signs of any damp or leaking, externally the roof is original (so 75 years old) but intact and there are no signs of gutter leaks etc down the walls.
I'd expect a house that had been inhabited by an elderley chap living alone to be a bit smelly, especially when it's been empty for 3 months, but unsure how to tell if it's more than just this and there is dry rot.
I believe if there's significant dry rot you'll be able to smell a musty/mouldy smell and there has to be water/damp present for dry rot to survive. Not sure what teh old people smell there is like...
Personally I'd spend some time hunting on the web to find out hwo to detect it yourself. If it's serious, there should be tell tale signs. If you followed advice for a belts and braces approcah to everything that might cost you extra money you'd end up with a HUGE purchase bill. For example:
Electricians test, Gassafe tests, damp tests, full structural survey, chattels searches, chattels insurance etc etc. These are what come to mind, I'm sure you'd end up doing 3 as times as many and adding about 5 grand to your purchase price. be aware some companies ffer free damp tests and are unlikely to advise no work's needed ;-)
In reality work out the symptoms and if you find them then perhaps consider a professional damp test from a company/surveyor that doesn't offer damp rectification services.
Personally I'd spend some time hunting on the web to find out hwo to detect it yourself. If it's serious, there should be tell tale signs. If you followed advice for a belts and braces approcah to everything that might cost you extra money you'd end up with a HUGE purchase bill. For example:
Electricians test, Gassafe tests, damp tests, full structural survey, chattels searches, chattels insurance etc etc. These are what come to mind, I'm sure you'd end up doing 3 as times as many and adding about 5 grand to your purchase price. be aware some companies ffer free damp tests and are unlikely to advise no work's needed ;-)
In reality work out the symptoms and if you find them then perhaps consider a professional damp test from a company/surveyor that doesn't offer damp rectification services.
Just finishing a development ourselves and the "Old people smell" went when we through out the carpets and stripped the wallpaper.
Once all this has been cleared Im sure it will be fine.
I did look at one house last summer that we were lookign at renovating and some little bugs in the carpet decided to eat me alive.... Luckily we decidied not to buy that one, I was dreading getting rid of the carpets.
Once all this has been cleared Im sure it will be fine.
I did look at one house last summer that we were lookign at renovating and some little bugs in the carpet decided to eat me alive.... Luckily we decidied not to buy that one, I was dreading getting rid of the carpets.
I find that I can 'smell' rot, but then I've been a surveyor for 30 years. That doesn't mean that there IS rot of course. but it sets me off looking closer if there are no obvious signs.
The comment above ^^^^ about red dust on cupboards should be ignored. There is a significant difference between dry and wet rot and you can have both present.
Dry rot typically has a fruiting body associated with an outbreak, but that can be hidden within floor voids, behind plaster and so on. having said that, wet rot can have fungal growth too.
It's best to get it looked at if you are unsure. I would also avoid the damp proofing companies that advertise a lot as they do have a vested interest. There are many that do give good advice, but it's difficult to seperate the wheat from the chaff.
We use a couple in and around london that are very good. PM me if you want their details.
Freash air, removing all carpets, underlay and floor finishes and other bits and bobs will normally see a significant improvement in the smell!
The comment above ^^^^ about red dust on cupboards should be ignored. There is a significant difference between dry and wet rot and you can have both present.
Dry rot typically has a fruiting body associated with an outbreak, but that can be hidden within floor voids, behind plaster and so on. having said that, wet rot can have fungal growth too.
It's best to get it looked at if you are unsure. I would also avoid the damp proofing companies that advertise a lot as they do have a vested interest. There are many that do give good advice, but it's difficult to seperate the wheat from the chaff.
We use a couple in and around london that are very good. PM me if you want their details.
Freash air, removing all carpets, underlay and floor finishes and other bits and bobs will normally see a significant improvement in the smell!
silverthorn2151 said:
The comment above ^^^^ about red dust on cupboards should be ignored. There is a significant difference between dry and wet rot and you can have both present.
Dryrot fruiting bodies = red spores.Red dust is a 100% sure fire indicator.
This dust will drift throughout the whole room - even if the main outbreak is hidden behind a unit + you will smelt it too.
Edited by Steamer on Wednesday 24th March 12:38
Folks - thanks so much for your posts - really helpful and I'm so grateful for you for taking the time to post! Once I learn these things, they'll stay in my head forever :-)
I went back today to view it again and did some checks of my own:
Damp patches on walls. None found
Damp stains on walls. Again, none found and it's ancient wallpaper, so nothing hidden here.
Once I adjusted to the smell, I lifted a few carpet corners and didn't notice any worse smell coming from the floorboards. It's got the original block floorboards and none show any signs of coming away or of rot or damage
Externally: DPC isn't breached anywhere and two breather bricks are present front and back and again haven't been breached. No guttering damage or signs of leaks.
I've got the mortgage valuer going in tomorrow and if he mentions damp or suggest a damp survey then I'll certainly get one done. Otheriwse, I'm inclined to go with it.
Once purchased, I'll do the smae as I did with my last (and first) renovation... Entire replastering, rewire, replace boiler, windows, doors, new floors throughout. If it is just old people smells, that should kill them off :-)
I went back today to view it again and did some checks of my own:
Damp patches on walls. None found
Damp stains on walls. Again, none found and it's ancient wallpaper, so nothing hidden here.
Once I adjusted to the smell, I lifted a few carpet corners and didn't notice any worse smell coming from the floorboards. It's got the original block floorboards and none show any signs of coming away or of rot or damage
Externally: DPC isn't breached anywhere and two breather bricks are present front and back and again haven't been breached. No guttering damage or signs of leaks.
I've got the mortgage valuer going in tomorrow and if he mentions damp or suggest a damp survey then I'll certainly get one done. Otheriwse, I'm inclined to go with it.
Once purchased, I'll do the smae as I did with my last (and first) renovation... Entire replastering, rewire, replace boiler, windows, doors, new floors throughout. If it is just old people smells, that should kill them off :-)
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