[jaylock]

I have an odor that is coming from between the walls of my 3 yr old house. I can also smell it bad up in the attic. In some rooms, when it is windy, I can smell the smell coming from electric outlets and light switches. It's very unpleasant - like a chemical smell. Has anyone ever had any problems with electric wiring (or the plastic casing around it) smelling? Any other thoughts - this is really a problem!

[tkrussell]

Hire someone that has an infrared camera, many electrical contractors now use them as a troubleshooting tool.

This may find any heat inside walls that could be causing the odor.

[ma0641]

Check to see if your builder used "chinese drywall". Google that for more information. You could also have an animal trapped in the wall and it died or a loose DWV fitting allowing sewer gas to accumulate.

[ballengerb1]

I'm leaning toward the Chinese drywall and here's something to try How to Check your Home for Chinese Drywall | eHow.com

[jaylock]

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses. We've checked indoor air quality and there is no evidence of the sulfur compounds typically associated with it. I've talked with loads of contractors and they've all said that no one in our state (NM) has known about any chinese drywall - so I think I"m safe there - but really, who knows? What does "DMV" fitting stand for?

Has anyone ever heard of electrical wires (plastic covered... ) causing malodors?

Thank you.

[ma0641]

DWV-Drain Waste and Vent systems. The piping that moves wastes out. They are connected to the sanitary sewer or septic. If you have a crack in them, or separation, the gases can penetrate the air spaces where they are located. Brian-ma0641

[tkrussell]

Yes, electrical cables heating up can cause the odor.

Has anyone ever heard of electrical wires (plastic covered....) causing malodors? Thank you.

Perhaps I did not fuly explain, this is why I suggested an IR camera to locate heat in the walls, in the event a cable is being overloaded, or shorting out.

[jaylock]

Thank you all so much - this is very helpful. Do electricians have this IR camera, inspectors? I want to call the right people in. Yucky smell! I'll also check the Drain Waste and Vent system (plumber?). This gives me somewhere to start! I'll report back what I find out.

[ballengerb1]

Did you try any steps in the link I posted regarding checking for Chinese drywall? I understand that as of yesterday a hugh settlement was offered by some of the manufacturers

[ma0641]

Smelling it when windy is another clue that it might be plumbing related. Wind pressure pushes vent gases down the pipes and out a crack. Almost every vent pipe goes through a wall cavity. Do you have any unused drains where the traps might have dried out?

[jaylock]

Hi there - I wanted to update everyone who helped me. Unfortunately, the odor is coming from the electric cables themselves, and not when they are being used - no heat. The plastic coating around the cables (it is blue plastic coating... ) is what REALLY stinks and I am consulting with an electrician in the next few days to figure out how or if the odor can be remediated. It is a FOUL plastic odor that wafts out of the electric panels, the wall sockets, and the light switches. This is a relatively new house (3 years old) but I would have thought though that this kind of odor would have off-gassed by now. Anyway, it's very distressing. If anyone has any suggestions regarding how to remediate this, do let me know. I'm a bit at my wit's end, having just had to spend $$$ to redo insulation in the attics.

[tkrussell]

Jay, thank you for the update, and I am glad it is not a hazardous electrical issue.

Really odd thou.

Are you located in the USA or Canada?

I am not aware of blue cables used in the USA.

[jaylock]

HI, TKrussel,

I am located in New Mexico. Do you have a suggestion (if that is allowed on this website... ) for a retailer that offers non blue covered alternative electric wires and cables? I'd personally like to have them pulled and re-wire this house with non-smelly coated wires. It'd be great for me to be able to point my electrician in an alternative direction. I don't even know where to start! MANY thanks.

[tkrussell]

New Mexico? Oh that's part of Mexico, Right?

Snicker...

What is used up this way, New England, is Romex, and white is #14, yellow is #12, and orange is #10.

See attached cutsheet.



I do not know what kind of cable you have that is blue.

[jaylock]

YES - that is the way it feels sometimes. Dark ages here. Thank you for the tip and I will explore this with my electrician.

[ma0641]

Glad you found the problem. I have never encountered same issue nor have I ever seen blue cable. We use the same colors in GA, same as TK notes.