Nostrildamus

I am often asked to investigate smells.

You might think that this sort of work would not be within the normal scope of carrying out an inspection of a property but it is very apparent that funny odours are pretty high up on the list of the concerns of home owners and house buyers.

Over the years I seem to have developed a keen olfactory awareness and on a regular basis I am surprised to discover new smells that can be added to my sensory memory bank.

The most obvious to be found in housing, both older and modern, is the smell of moisture.

This can range from rank odours as a consequence of rampant damp to the merest sensation of stagnant air and fustiness. The Government led policy to maximise the energy efficiency of the UK housing stock has certainly helped to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs but as an unfortunate side effect we now experience hardly any natural air changes in our homes. They are in effect hermetically sealed and with that comes a build up of moisture as condensation which in itself provides an ideal environment for mould spores and other nasties which can serve to exacerbate pre-existing health conditions such as asthma, respiratory illness and eczema.

Whenever I come across trapped moisture issues in a property I can feel my nostrils contracting in reaction to the atmosphere.

This can on occasion make me feel quite poorly even though my exposure is only a matter of minutes at most. I can therefore imagine the effect on someone actually living in that place and my reporting back gives some practical recommendations to alleviate the problems.

Another common type of bad smells relates to drains.

In older properties where the floor plan and layout have been altered there could be old and redundant drains from a former kitchen or downstairs toilet. These may not always have been isolated or even infilled and the persistence of strong sewerage smells can be a problem. Although readily detectable by my nose the actual tracing and exposing of the source is an altogether more difficult exercise and can result in high cost for investigative excavations and all of the potential for upheaval and damage that this involves.

A very distinctive odour is that of rodents, in particular mice.

This has an earthy quality to it, not actually unpleasant in itself but when added to the perceptions of a homeowner or home purchaser of an invasion or infestation its detection takes on a much greater significance.

One odour that has certainly declined in recent years in my daily workload is that of nicotine.

In the halcyon days of smoking tobacco as a sociable and fashionable pursuit my nose was often assaulted by its thick and pungent smell not to mention the sticky tarry residues that accumulated on decorative finishes and just about every surface in a domestic environment.

It is quite common now to see householders on a strict outdoors only smoking regime but from time to time I am exposed to some very overpowering nicotine infused environments which must, in the longer term have health implications, I do carry face masks in the event of extreme circumstances as a sensible measure.

We are, on this small island, great lovers of pets but my nasal sensors can go into override in properties where there has been a less than sanitary and hygienic policy and regime on cleaning up after dogs, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, micro-pigs, reptiles, domesticated rodents, caged or free flying birds and many other creatures that you would not expect to encounter in a living room or bedroom.

I have been able to diagnose, by close sniffing that a wet patch in a house was not caused by damp but as a consequence of frequent urination in the same spot by the family dog.

Climate change can be seen as the cause of one particular smell where there has been a trend for increasingly extreme weather. My local work area is low lying and on clay soils and after a heavy rain shower there can be potential for standing water under the ground floors of houses that have raised or suspended timber finishes, commonly floorboards.

The fluctuations in ground water levels or water table as it is known can lead to stagnant pools in the underfloor space resulting in distinctive odours. Airbrick vents can help to dissipate the moisture and smells but fears of ant or spider entry via the perforated bricks often results in them being blocked up by the house occupants.

One relatively new smell, although increasingly present, is that of cannabis.

This can be easily distinguished amongst the other common odours and often wafts down a street or out of an open window in every type of neighbourhood from well to do to older inner city.

Just about all of the foregoing causes and sources of what I would call traditional building smells can be tackled by practical,and sensible measures. These are all within my skill set to identify and diagnose but in the case of cannabis I just have to leave that to others.