Hey everyone! I'm really hoping to tap into your knowledge because I've been dealing with a strange chemical smell in my townhome and I'm at my wit's end. I moved in back in October 2024, and aside from a faint smell of cigarettes that has since faded, I've never had air quality issues. I noticed a really weird chemical smell this past weekend when we got home from a friend's place, and it confused us at first – we thought it might be gasoline, but it's more like a diesel type of odor. I had a look around and noticed the smell was super strong in our shared stairwell with our neighbor. Our landlord confirmed there are no gas lines in the building, so I ruled that out. Despite airing out the place, the smell keeps coming back. The fire department came, but they couldn't detect it since we had just aired out the hallway. They did mention a strong diesel smell outside though, suggesting someone might have spilled something. I'm kind of doubting that since the odor improves when we keep the windows open. It gets weird – sometimes it's concentrated in the bathroom or living space. Our garage door is ajar to help, but when it's closed, the smell resurfaces. I also learned from my neighbor that his unit is vacant, but who knows what could be going on in there? I'm really worried about using an ozone machine since I have a latex paint concern and two cats to think about. What do you think could be causing this smell and what can I do about it? I'd love your advice!
2 Answers
Another thing to check is whether any of your neighbors are doing renovations or repairs. Sometimes, odors from epoxy finishes or flooring materials can travel through shared vents. If it’s an older complex, the units might not be sealed well, so smells can easily pass through from one to another. Look into whether it might be related to any work they’ve done!
Could it potentially be mothballs? They have that really distinctive camphor-like smell. I remember dealing with a similar situation where an elderly neighbor had a stash of them in a carpeted unit. The smell was overwhelming and nobody knew where it was coming from until they finally got rid of the mothballs. Next time you’re in a store, take a whiff of some mothballs and see if it matches your situation!
I hadn’t thought about renovations! I’ll definitely check with my neighbors to see if they’re working on anything.