Who to Call to Identify a Smell in Your House

Sometimes it just happens—you wake up one day and notice your house smells kind of weird. Provided you’ve taken out yesterday’s garbage, this can actually be a sign of a number of serious issues like rodents, sewage backups, burning electronics, and even gas leaks. In order to get rid of an odor, you need to know what’s causing the funky smell. So, who do you call to identify a smell in your house? These pros all pass the smell test.

Benefits of Calling a Home Inspector to Identify a Smell in Your House

Who to call for a strange odor in your home depends on the smell, but home inspectors are a great place to start. They’re especially helpful if you don’t know the source of the smell and can’t narrow it down on your own.

A home inspector has expertise in the most common home issues. Most of the time, they’ll know the stinkiest culprits right off the bat. They’ll also know how to get rid of smells in a home, even if that means bringing in a different professional (like a mold remediation specialist, plumber, or exterminator) to solve the problem. The faster you fix it, the less likely it will lead to serious damage.

The average home inspection costs around $350, but it depends on the size of your home. 

Can I DIY Odor Investigation?

As long as you’re certain the odor isn’t a sign of a gas leak, you can try to identify the smell yourself. In this case, follow your nose and use a little logic. For example, if you notice a mold and mildew smell, look for signs of water damage and investigate areas regularly exposed to moisture. If you notice chemical smells, try to eliminate the source by tossing paint cans and cleaning agents. Other common sources of bad odors include:

• Soft materials like curtains and carpets

• Ducts and vents

• Garbage disposals

• Appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers

• Pet beds, toys, and clothing

• Trash

Can I Call a Different Pro to Identify a Smell in My House?

In most cases, a home inspector near you can help—but there are a few different professionals you can call to identify a smell in your house. Depending on the smell, you may want to call a more specialized professional. This can sometimes save you money on the inspection. In the event of a gas leak, you may also want to call emergency services. 

Who to Call if Your House Smells Like Rotten Eggs

If your house smells like rotten eggs, you need to rule out a gas leak ASAP. Gas companies add a chemical called mercaptan to their gas supply. This makes it smell like rotten eggs and helps alert homeowners to a potentially dangerous leak. If you have a compost, there’s a chance a sulfuric smell could be coming from it. 

If you think you have a gas leak, leave the house immediately and call your gas company’s emergency line for more instructions. Once you rule out a gas leak, a home inspector can help identify the issue. A rotten egg smell could signal issues with your drywall, well water, or sewer lines, among other common problems.

Who to Call if Your House Smells Like Sewage

If you smell sewer gas, call a professional plumber in your area. Sewage has a very particular smell. To some, it smells like rotten eggs. Others recognize the smell of human waste. Typically, this type of smell signals an issue with your plumbing or sewage system. A plumber can actually repair the problem—not just diagnose it. 

Who to Call if You Smell Burning or Fishy Odors

Some smells signal a potential electrical or HVAC issue (think: overloaded circuits, fraying wires, unsafe power outlets, etc.). These are potential fire hazards, so you’ll want to call in a pro who can fix the problem ASAP. First, shut off the power, and then call a local electrician if you smell:

• Burning plastic

• Fishy odors

• Smoke

• Other electrical smells

That said, it’s not always an emergency. For example, you may smell burning when you turn on your furnace for the first time each winter (that’s usually just dust). You may also smell cigarette smoke if you live in an apartment building and your neighbors are smoking next door. Or perhaps a burner was left on and burnt your dinner. 

Who to Call if You Smell Ammonia or Decay

If you smell anything that points to a pest infestation, call a pest control service near you. They’ll be able to get rid of your pests ASAP so they cause the least amount of damage. Pest infestations often have visible signs, but they do come with a few different odors:

• Ammonia, which points to the smell of mice urine

• Decay, which may indicate dead pests 

• A wet dog smell, which points to rodents, raccoons, and squirrels

How Do Home Inspectors Investigate Odors?

Home inspectors investigate odors in a few steps. They’ll first ask you questions about the problem. It’s particularly helpful if you’re able to identify:

• The type of smell (whether it’s fishy, pungent, metallic, musty, or something else) 

• The odor’s pattern (does it appear when it rains or when you use an appliance?)

Based on your answers, they’ll get to work. They may use special equipment to find a potential source of the smell, such as: 

• An infrared camera can help detect moisture. 

• Photoionization detectors can help identify voluntary organic compounds. 

• Smoke detectors can identify drafts and air leaks that carry smells. 

• Air tests can test for mold spores. 

• Multimeters can find broken circuits and faulty wiring. 

Your home inspector may search for visible signs of pest infestations or mold growth. 

The truth is that pros are well-versed in odor identification. Most of them will know where to look as soon as they catch a whiff.