I bought a fixer-upper in West Tennessee about three years ago, and the odd smells just won't go away. It has this musty, earthy odor that's really annoying. We replaced or painted pretty much everything except what's behind the sheetrock—like the insulation, studs, and siding. I've even tried an ozone generator, which helps for a bit, but the smell always comes back. The siding is cedar, which seems to be in decent shape, but I can't help but wonder if it's trapping that smell. The previous owners may not have maintained the caulking, so water could have gotten in. Some of my neighbors have switched to vinyl or aluminum siding, which makes me think the cedar might be holding onto those funky odors. Anyone have insights on whether siding can really trap smells? It's driving me crazy!
2 Answers
For sure, porous materials like wood and insulation can definitely hold onto odors. Even non-porous surfaces can keep smells if they get stuff on them and aren’t cleaned properly. In your case, if your siding is cedar, it might have absorbed the musty smells over time, especially if water got in. Just something to consider!
I totally feel you! I faced something similar when I moved into my place. Honestly, some smells seem like they’re destined to stick around, and they can be a sign that you need to make serious changes. I managed to improve my situation a lot by updating the flooring and installing a vapor barrier. If the smell is that persistent, you might have to consider gutting parts of your home. Just know it's okay to think of it as a temporary house if it’s too bothersome!
Thanks for sharing your experience! I wish we had a basement to work with, but unfortunately, it’s down to ripping out the sheetrock to see what’s behind it. Seems like a tedious process.