Hi,

I'm wracking my brain on this problem and the developers are not interested in fixing my problem as they don't think it's a defect in construction.

I moved into a brand new apartment for about 2 months now and the smell in one of my bathrooms has been there the whole time. The smell is different each time. At times it smells like a wet animal, stagnant water, or cooking smell like onions. Over the course of a day the smell isn't that bad during the afternoons and early evenings, but it's really noticeable at night and in the morning. When the smell is strong, you can definitely smell in the cabinet where the pipes are connected.

I did a test a few weeks back and taped up the exhaust vent in the ceiling and shut the windows in the apartment and that made the smell more manageable, but once I took off the tape and opened some windows the strong smell would come back. Am I onto something here or is it just coincidence?

Thanks for the replies, as I'm going gray because of this problem.

"smell in the cabinet where the pipes are connected" [lease describ this area further, is it a utility closet or something? I think you have a very slow drip/leak behind the drywall and it makes a musty smell but not enough water to flow out on the floor. If I am right there is a 100% chance there is mold growing on the studs and drywall. Mold spores are pretty much everywhere and will start growing 24-36 hours after getting dnd staying wet. When you tape up everything there is little air movement and air will not easily leakout of the wall spaces into the living spaces. When the vent is open there is a slight vaccuum in the living space and air inside the wall space is pulled out. Tell the builder you have mold and ask him if you should call the city building inspector. I think your builder will send a guy out pretty quickly.

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

"smell in the cabinet where the pipes are connected" [lease describ this area further, is it a utility closet or something? I think you have a very slow drip/leak behind the drywall and it makes a musty smell but not enough water to flow out on the floor. If I am right there is a 100% chance there is mold growing on the studs and drywall. Mold spores are pretty much everywhere and will start growing 24-36 hours after gettin dnd staying wet. When you tape up everything there is little air movement and air will not easily leakout of the wall spaces into the living spaces. When the vent is open there is a slight vaccuum in the living space and air inside the wall space is pulled out. Tell the builder you have mold and ask him if you should call the city building inspector. I think your builder will send a guy out pretty quickly.

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Thanks ballengerb1! Wow, that is a definite possibly. When I say cabinet, I mean the area underneath the sink.

See if you can remove the floor of the cabinet or the kick plate in front. I think you may find water leaking under the cabinet. I'd even suggest laying paper towels on the floor of the cabinet and wait to see if there are any slow drips from your pipes.

I think I might try to remove the kick plate as you say and see if there is water. Thanks again for your help.

Are the developers now your landlords? If so they should respond to your complaints. Call everyday if need be. I had forgotten this was an apartment, maybe hold off on opening that kick plate since this is a rental. They could hold you responsible for damages. Oh, oh what's that, I think I just developed and allergy to mold and paying my rent. If they totally blow you off some renter adviser here can tell you how to pay your rent into an escrow account until an issue like this is resolved.

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Originally Posted by nah

Hi,

I'm wracking my brain on this problem and the developers are not interested in fixing my problem as they don't think it's a defect in construction.

I moved into a brand new apartment for about 2 months now and the smell in one of my bathrooms has been there the whole time. The smell is different each time. At times it smells like a wet animal, stagnant water, or cooking smell like onions. Over the course of a day the smell isn't that bad during the afternoons and early evenings, but it's really noticeable at night and in the morning. When the smell is strong, you can definitely smell in the cabinet where the pipes are connected.

I did a test a few weeks back and taped up the exhaust vent in the ceiling and shut the windows in the apartment and that made the smell more manageable, but once I took off the tape and opened some windows the strong smell would come back. Am I onto something here or is it just coincidence?

Thanks for the replies, as I'm going gray because of this problem.

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The problem is the exauhst fan where it vents there is probably a vent pipe it may be clogged or capped off but I bet this is the proplem

Did not know we were taking bets, I thought we were doing some diagnostic plumbing. There is no mention of a fan and fans, plugged or not, do not create an odor. The odor is created by dampness somewhere in the bathroom and it must be eliminated, not ventilated.

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Originally Posted by nah

Hi,
I did a test a few weeks back and taped up the exhaust vent in the ceiling and shut the windows in the apartment and that made the smell more manageable, but once I took off the tape and opened some windows the strong smell would come back. Am I onto something here or is it just coincidence?

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In many Apt. buildings/complexs they share exhaust venting. If the check valve/damper is stuck or missing, exhaust fumes from other apts. Can migrate into yours via the inter connected exhaust ducts. Try taping up the ehaust fan again and use your windows normally. If this elimantes the smell then you know the exhaust fan & ducting is your culprit. Typically there is a backflow preventer attached to fan housing. To access it you will need to remove the fan grill, then the fan. You should then see a hole about 3" - 4" square. Gently reach through there with your fingers and see if you can feel a flapper. There should be one there that moves freely. If not, get the landlord to fix it.