homeownerflux
Sep 21, 2009, 06:50 PM
I am 1st owner of brand new, single-story house on a slab.   I get 'wet-rusty-pipe' smell in 5x5' utility room, but ONLY when the outside temperature is 80 degrees +.  Otherwise, no smell.  W/D are hooked up in U. room but only used once about 3 months ago.   I've 'rocked' the washer and no sound of sloshing water.  No smell in any other part of the house, including 2 bathrms about 8' and 12' away from U. room.   No problems with tub drainage or toilets/water levels.  This little room is in the crook of the L-shaped house between attached garage and house.   No smell in garage or pipe-entry points in U. room, even when the actual room smells. There is an air-conditioning vent and an outside fresh-air vent in the ceiling of U. room, but no smell when either is on or off.   I looked at the 'crook' of the L on the outside of the house, which is a washed-rock garden area.   There aren't many plants there, so not much watering.   I dug back the rock and pulled up the weed-barrier and in the corner was very wet mud.  I left this pulled back for about a week now and have been VERY careful with watering in this area and it seems to be drying up at a very slow rate.    Looks like drier mud now.   Any ideas?