Last summer (around this same time in June) we started to smell an odor. We rarely smelled it in the morning. It was strongest at night and early morning (before dawn) and was non-existant in the daytime. And it orginated on one side of our house. We have a two family and the smell was strongest in the first floor (where our tenants live) by the meter. But it also came up fairly strong to our second floor portion through an outlet. The smell lasted last year from June to around November and our home inspector concluded that it was a dead rotting rodent (he didn't find the rodent, but said the smell was typical) probably in the wall. He recommended to just ignore it and as soon as the rodent decompsed, the smell would be gone. Since we didn't smell it after November, we thought that's what happended.

However, to our horror, the smell is back! It just started again about 2 weeks ago and follows the same pattern - originates on the same side of the house and appears around the same timings.

Any ideas what it could be? Could it have anything to do with our central air? Although, there is no smell in the attic where the unit is housed and it smells whether the central air is on or not. It's not a gas leak because last summer we had PSE&G over several times to confirm and reconfirm. What is it? Could it coincidentally be another dead rodent in the wall? I find that hard to believe just because if it's a dead rodent, shouldn't the smell be more permanent rather than having such specific timings (the smell comes only late at night.)? Any thoughts?

Rule

It's a rat. One problem is they can decay a distance from where the smell is. Good luck...

Sue124

Really? Isn't it a coincidence to have this problem two summers in a row? Could it be something else?

Rule

l had the same problem. Late spring a rat was poisoned and decided to die inside a room of my house it gained access to. l couldn't locate it. It was in the wall. The smell could gag you. You can't pin point where....The smell finally disappeared however, came back the following year at the same time.

Sue124

Are you serious!?! What happened the 3rd year? Does it ever go away?

Just Dahlia

Read the thread on this same page

"Bad smell comes and goes"

It makes a lot of sense, maybe there is something you are using at the same time every year because of weather etc..

Check the electrical

Rule

Sorry for the wait Sue, been busy. The smell went away. You have to find point of entry. Every situation is different and unique in it's own way Sue. l have to go right now. Post a quick answer for me to let me know your still with me and perhaps we can work together to fix the problem your having. l remember a condensation problem a customer of mine had. Remind me to tell you about it and l'll have you check something in your house.