I have lived in my home for eight years. It was new construction. We have a basic shingle roof. About 3 months ago, we had a warm snap and I noticed when the sun would hit the roof (I'm guessing it's the roof), there is a strange smell that fills my house. It smells like tar. It only happens when the windows are open and the sun heats up the roof. I have had several people in my home to check it out. It remains a mystery to everyone that has come in.

Suggestions have been:
A Dead Animal: The smell doesn't seem organic to me. Also its intermittent and if I close the house up you can't smell it.
It's coming from a nearby roofing project: negative. Can't smell it outside... only inside.
It's mold: Negative, again, not an organic smell and why would you not smell mold when the windows are shut?

Anyone? Suggestions? I need to get to the bottom of it.
[/LIST]

A friend told me that some types of paper used as underlayment under hardwood flooring (some types of felt paper-for one) are asphalt based and cause the types of odors you are describing.
If you have any hardwood floors, refer to this link:
Hosking Hardwood Flooring: Underlayments (http://www.hoskinghardwood.com/Brand/Tools--Accessories/Underlayments.aspx?bId=69)

Hi, Here is a great link that has helped me to begin the troubleshooting process of the same kind of issue you sound like you're having. We too are having intermittent tar-like smells coming from a single room in the house and I'm starting to think it's creosote from the unused hidden chimney stem in our newly renovated historic home. We just bought this home and the chimney is behind drywall and unused. I smell the smell from the chimney side of the house and I'm thinking that the drafts from the chimney are cauing the tar-like smell (from creosote) to get carried into the vents and hollow areas around our window frames. I'm getting a chimney inspection soon. I hope this helps. Good luck. How frusutrating!

http://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Odor-Diagnosis-Cure.htm

I don't have an answer but my deplex too started smelling like tar in the hall way where the washer & dryer are?? Its kind of scaring me, I have a 5mos old baby here. No one is taring any roof and you can not smell it outside. HELP